Top 5 Braves PROSPECTS to WATCH in Spring Training 2026
Atlanta Braves fans could witness a breakout Spring Training, with Hurston Waldrop, Jhancarlos Lara, and Didier Fuentes leading a talented pack of young arms. Can Waldrop’s devastating splitter force his way into the rotation despite team roster constraints? Will Lara’s triple-digit fastball make him a bullpen force, or does command keep him on the fringe? The stakes rise as Hayden Harris tries to prove his minor league dominance translates against big-league bats, while shortstop prospect John Gil awaits a potential big league camp invite.
Jake Mastroianni pinpoints the prospects primed to shake up the 2026 Atlanta Braves season and explores the franchise’s shifting TV strategy amid Main Street Sports Group turmoil. Is Atlanta ready to launch its own network and change how fans tune in? Get insider analysis on Braves’ pitching depth, spring roster battles, and the impact of shifting media rights—plus listener favorites J.R. Richie and Blake Burkhalter as names to watch.
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Primary Segment Timestamps
0:00 – Braves Spring Training Prospects
10:19 – Top Five Prospects Watchlist
26:41 – Braves News & MLB Updates
Ad Read Timestamps
11:29 – Indeed
12:39 – Locked On Braves Subscription
25:39 – TurboTax
12 comments
Which Braves prospect are you most excited to watch in spring training?
Blake Snell injured and will not start the season for the Dodgers.
The Sacramento A's are taking a page from AA's playbook, by signing a lot of their young players to long term deals.
Finally, the nepo baby owner (and hated by former pitcher Trevor May) is spending his GAP (clothing) money!
Luis Arráez only struck out 21 times last year and never struckout more than 50 in any season of his career, according to ESPN!
He is like Ichiro, without the stellar defense, like Freeman but without the power.
If Luis is a full time DH batting 3rd or cleanup, who cares about the longball!
At least you're almost guaranteed to drive in Rs!
I honestly thought Luis was 1 x-factor bat the Braves could have snagged.
Even Profar or Yaz makes more than him.
(Shaking my head in disbelief.)
They could charge $20 for every with subscriptions, times that by 40,000 that’s $800,000 just there
Main Street Sports Group is reportedly missing licensing payments to other sports teams outside of baseball. The company will be lucky to survive the calendar year. This plus the untrustworthy reputation of MSSG certainly made renegotiation with them not an option for the Braves. Good on the Braves for making preparations for this. The writing has been on a the wall for a while. The question is why these other sports teams (both inside and outside MLB) haven't made similar preparations.
Will Braves fans outside of south southeast region be able to watch games. Hopefully MLB Network will show all of then .
Jake does the Braves creation of their own network, does it affect me watching Braves games on MLB Extra innings here in Florida?
Freddie Freeman recently said on Dodgers fan fest, "He has 2 years left on his contract. …He wants to play 4 more years."
(He didn't specify which team.)
I think he's coming back to the Braves as a DH/1B. … a much better option than Luis Arráez.
Who do you want as the Braves's future DH? Freeman or Ozuna.
Me? No brainer. MVFree!
Thanks Jake for your opinions and insights as always!! GO BRAVES!!
Thankfully Murphy got Waldrep to throw the sinker!
I'm a Braves fan living in the Chicago, IL suburbs. I should be able to catch all Braves home and away games on MLB extra innings streaming package, right?