Baseball is back: The Braves have reported to spring training, where they’ll begin preparations for a season they hope produces an eighth consecutive postseason appearance.
In the minor leagues, most prospects are out of sight and out of mind. But here are several Braves farmhands who could put themselves firmly on the radar in 2025.
Right-hander Didier Fuentes
Fuentes, a 2022 international signee from Colombia, has generated buzz since last summer when he was only 17 — the youngest pitcher in Low-A Augusta history. He’s the team’s No. 11 prospect per Baseball America.
He’s logged only 102-1/3 career innings, but Fuentes’ dazzling stuff makes one giddy over his potential. He fanned 98 in 75-2/3 innings at Augusta, at times overwhelming hitters with a fastball-slider combo that generates a lot of swing-and-miss results. Fuentes needs significant refinement, as his age would suggest, but it’s easy to envision him making a sizable leap in the coming seasons.
Shortstop Jose Perdomo
Fans might be familiar with Perdomo, whom the Braves signed to a $5 million deal in the 2024 international signing period (a record for the Braves franchise and Venezuelan signees). Perdomo, who was limited to 20 at-bats in the Dominican Summer League last year with a hamstring injury, should debut in the system at some point in 2025.
Perdomo is Baseball America’s No. 18 Braves prospect, but he has the ability to climb much higher. He was lauded for his bat when the Braves signed him, and he was considered advanced beyond his years. There’s legitimate power to unlock as he grows, too. His body might force him to second or third base in the future, but he’s handled only shortstop to this point.
There’s still so much unknown about Perdomo; this year will provide plenty more information. It would make sense for him to begin the season in the Florida Complex League. Perdomo eventually could become a top-five prospect in the system if he develops as hoped.
Right-hander Blake Burkhalter
The Auburn crowd will appreciate Burkhalter’s inclusion here. Once a star closer for the Tigers, Burkhalter made 16 starts last season, including 14 for High-A Rome (where he earned a 3.00 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 72 innings). Burkhalter is 24, making him an older prospect but one who could now ascend quickly as he’s further distanced from the Tommy John surgery that squandered his 2023 campaign.
Burkhalter has a four-pitch repertoire, which includes a mid-90s fastball, cutter, change-up and slider, that has helped him find immediate success. Burkhalter needs to find more consistent control if he’s going to remain a starter. But he still could find his way to the Braves bullpen eventually. This is an important season for him that will determine whether he can get on the fast track to MLB.
Braves top 10 prospects (per Baseball America):
1. C Drake Baldwin
2. RHP AJ Smith-Shawver
3. LHP Cam Caminiti
4. INF Ignacio “Nacho” Alvarez
5. RHP Hurston Waldrep
6. RHP Owen Murphy
7. RHP JR Ritchie
8. RHP Drue Hackenberg
9. RHP Lucas Braun
10. RHP Garrett Baumann
About the Author
The Latest
Featured
