Seven Braves storylines from Spring Breakout

Seven strikeouts in three innings from Didier Fuentes was the highlight of Braves Spring Breakout

I hope you’re all ready to overreact to a single game sample, as the Atlanta Braves just finished up their Spring Breakout matchup against the Tigers, and there is plenty to talk about from this game. It starts with the pitching. Sure they gave up six runs, but a handful of dominant outings has already shown off some offseason improvement from key prospects. I’m going to breakdown seven of my most important observations from Sunday’s game, and if after all of this you aren’t pumped to see the start of Minor League Baseball, then you and I just can’t be friends.

Didier Fuentes and his Changeup

The star of the show on Sunday afternoon was Didier Fuentes, who dominated over the final three innings with an impressive seven strikeouts. Operating in the mid-to-upper 90’s with his wipeout slider he torched the Tigers replacement lineup, showcasing the talent that made him one of the best teenage performers in the minor leagues last season. However, perhaps the biggest development came from his second strikeout, when Fuentes dropped in a two-strike changeup beautifully to whiff and a strike three. Fuentes rarely utilized a changeup and to little positive effect in 2024, but to show a pitch with solid average fade and a 10 mph velocity difference was an encouraging sight. Fuentes also had another later in the game that got away from him, but all in all that pitch could be among the biggest developments in the system this season. If Fuentes can showcase a solid average third pitch to go along with the command improvements he has made and his dynamite fastball-slider combination he will quickly gain recognition from around baseball. The player that pitched on Sunday was a clear top 10 arm in the system, and the hope is that he can put up that type of performance consistently throughout the season.

JR Ritchie’s Velocity is Back

I rarely get too giddy over prospects, but when JR Ritchie hit 98 mph in the first inning I have to admit I lost it just a little. That was the only question mark I had left for him, and while he settled back down into the mid-90’s for the remaining of his outing it is still an improvement over last season. His command wasn’t quite there yet, but that is okay at this point of the season. His changeup is real, his slider though mislocated was a bit sharper than last season, and I am comfortable calling him a top 100 prospect right now.

Garrett Baumann Hits 100

Garrett Baumann had a bad outing, there is no doubt about it, but I’m inclined to ignore command issues this early in the season from someone with a history of good command. Baumann experienced an uptick in velocity at the end of 2024, but took it to a new level in his 2025 debut. Baumann was sitting in the upper-90’s in his first inning of work, and on one occasion tapped triple digits on the radar. These are unseen heights from the young pitcher, and provides a positive takeaway even from his worst career outing. He did sit back down in the mid-90’s for the remainder of his start, but to know he can get to the upper 90’s, and there may be more conisstency in the tank, gives me a lot of hope that he can back up a strong 2024 with an even better 2025.

Luis Guanipa’s Swing

It is time for the bad part, unfortunately. Luis Guanipa looked overwhelmed in his two at-bats, showing off the same problems with his swing that we noted last season. Guanipa, especially his back half, was bailing out away from home plate, and he struggled to reach and recognize pitches. Guanipa is still young, but it’s definitely disappointing to see the same issues this season already. It is still early and there is plenty of time for him to make the necessary fixes to his swing this season, but the excitement for an immediate turnaround to his Single-A numbers are a bit tempered now.

Elison Joseph Strikes Out Two

Remember the name — and the necklace — because Elison Joseph is going to start to pop up in Major League bullpen conversations in the relatively near future. It was hard to imagine three years ago given his command that Joseph could make it this far, but he was downright impressive in his lone inning of work. Joseph may have sailed his first three pitches, but he locked in and struck out two batters featuring his upper-90’s fastball and wipeout slider. Joseph’s lower release and extreme fastball carry make for a dominant pitch as long as he throws strikes, and he has gotten better and better over the past couple of seasons at doing just that. Tigers batters swung six times at Joseph pitches on Sunday, came up empty on five of those, and popped the other pitch up in foul territory. As long as he keeps the balls at bay he is a big leaguer, no question, especially after he struck out 34.1% of batters last season with a 2.78 FIP.

Nick Montgomery Gets His First Hit

It’s a positive headline — we got to see Nick Montgomery play and he actually got a hit. Unfortunately, it was not the greatest process to get to that hit. Montgomery looked overwhelmed in his first two at bats before fighting a single down the first base line in the third, and it’s clear the progress he needs to make. His swing gets long, especially down in the zone, and strikeouts are going to be a part of his game until he can tighten up his mechanics. Still, there were aspects to like. He clearly has strength and is geared to utilize it, with a swing plane designed to loft fly balls and tap into his plus raw power. I like how he has geared his swing, he just needs to reduce some moving parts and be more direct on path to the ball. This was a problem that bothered Austin Riley early in his professional career and the Braves were able to have success covering it, the hope is that Montgomery follows a similar path though I don’t expect him to quite rocket through the system.

John Gil’s Defense and Injury

John Gil can flat out fly, both Gaurav and myself commenting “yeah he’s gonna be safe” as the ball bounced to the third baseman in his third inning single. Gil made a mistake on the basepaths and still shows a swing plane issue that tends to have him top pitches straight on the ground, but his approach against more experienced pitchers was impressive. Gil also looked smoother and more confident in the field on the couple of chances he got to make plays, and if he can repeat those actions he could be an above average to plus defender given his footspeed and arm. He was more solid than most shortstops his age last season, and he looks even better at the position now. The only worry came when he pulled up running to first base in his final at bat, though given how he walked off and the lack of concern showed in the dugout the hope is that it was just a cramp and nothing major to worry about moving forward.