While most of the attention is understandably on the start of the season in the major leagues (and March Madness if that is your thing), it is important to remember that the minor leagues got started as well this past week. For those who follow the Braves’ farm system closely, this is a lovely added benefit to the start of the 2026 season.
With that in mind, here is a look at what went on in the minors over the last week, as well as notes on what to expect in the near future.
Here is the latest goings on in the Braves’ farm system over the last weekTriple-A Gwinnett Stripers
While the minor league season did technically start last week, only Triple-A teams played games as the other lower levels had to wait. The first series of the season was not kind to the Stripers as they went 0-3, although there were some performances from Braves farmhands that were worth mentioning.
Perhaps the Braves were right to give JR Ritchie some more time in the minor leagues. In his first Triple-A start of the season, Ritchie couldn’t escape the fourth inning and ended the day with two earned runs on five hits and three walks against three strikeouts. Not an ideal start to be sure, but we’ll chalk this one up to early-season jitters.
Meanwhile, Nacho Alvarez Jr. stood out during the season’s opening weekend as he hit safely in all three games, and infield prospect Luke Waddell had a double in his first appearances of the 2026 season.
Double-A Columbus Clingstones
No games for the Clingstone, yet. However, they do get started this Friday against Chattanooga, the Reds’ Double-A affiliate. One name to definitely keep an eye on is spring training standout John Gil, who is not only listed on their roster but who also may be the biggest riser of any Braves prospect at the moment. Don’t sleep on Patrick Clohisy, either. He stole 79 bags in 2025 and had a couple of nice moments this spring in camp and especially in the Arizona Fall League.
High-A Rome Emperors
Like Columbus, Rome has yet to start their schedule, and it will also get started this coming weekend, starting on Thursday against Astros minor leaguers, the Asheville Tourists, at home. From top to bottom, Rome’s roster may be the most interesting in the entire organization when it comes to prospects to follow, depending on what their final roster looks like. Keep an eye out for 2025 draftees Alex Lodise and Cody Miller, who, unless the Braves get a little weird, will likely start the season in Rome.
Low-A Augusta GreenJackets
Like the other non-Triple-A minor league levels, the GreenJackets don’t get started until this coming weekend, with Frederickburg as their opponents. This is where we will likely get our first 2026 look at the prep bats that the Braves selected early in the 2025 draft at some point this season. Tate Southisene will likely get another chance at low-A after struggling in his pro debut. A couple of names to watch for are pitching prospect Briggs McKenzie and outfield prospect Conor Essenburg.
While it is possible that both players will start in rookie ball first before being moved to full-season ball later in the season, it feels likely that we will see one or both of them in Augusta in 2026, and both players have massive upside if things break their way.