Waldschmidt has become an increasingly-popular connection to Atlanta
If you’ve been following along with the mock drafts of late you are probably familiar with Ryan Waldschmidt, the Kentucky outfielder whose underlying data exceeds even the high level production he has put up in the SEC. Waldschmidt is one of the clearest risers of this spring, and in the most recent mock draft from Baseball America he is once again projected to the Atlanta Braves at 24th overall.
This has become a popular pick across multiple sites, and it’s easy to see why given how the Braves tend to favor bats who provide a mix of value and upside in the draft. That said it has been awhile since the Braves have gone with a hitter in the first round, though there have been strong connections each year that typically follow a pattern. That pattern being players who can fit in at a premium defensive position while also providing a combination of power and speed. Waldschmidt certainly has the latter two, with 14 home runs and 24 stolen bases this spring as proof of that, though most feel he will fit as a left fielder in pro ball.
If the Braves were to take Waldschmidt in the first round my assumption is that they would likely announce him as a center fielder and run him out as such at least in the early part of his minor league career, as their tendency is to force perhaps non-premium defenders into those positions with confidence they can develop the tools and scouting needed for them to fit there. If Waldschmidt can ultimately fit as a center fielder, and he has the speed at least to do so, that could make this an even higher value option, though again most feel that is not his ultimate role.
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2024-mlb-mock-draft-4-0-projecting-the-top-39-picks/
Ryan Waldschmidt