As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The Atlanta Braves did not have the 2025 season that they would have wanted at the big league level. The Braves missed the playoffs, largely due to a shocking lack of depth in the major league and upper minors, especially when it comes to hitters. The Braves have always targeted pitchers early in the draft, but in 2025 they made a switch, going with Tate Southisene to afford them the ability to sign Conor Essenburg and Briggs McKenzie. This was a departure from them taking pitchers early in the draft, like when they drafted their two best prospects in Owen Murphy and JR Ritchie. The Braves have also been aggressive with their acquired college pitchers, as they have moved pitchers like Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach through the minors quickly. The Atlanta Braves have a middling farm system, that lacks the star power that some of their rivals might have. The good thing for Braves fans is they have graduated and developed well in the past, so the current crop of minor leaguers are in good hands.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, Owen Murphy returned to action towards the end of the 2025 season. Upon his return his mechanics seemed out of sync, causing command issues. There were clear signs of inconsistency in mechanics, as well as more subtle hints. This can be linked to rust from missing so much time. Many of misses were above the zone and arm side, which would suggest a timing issue in the operation. Still, he was able to fight through the issues to find a lot of success. There were a lot of 3-ball counts that Murphy recovered from, simply by blowing fastballs by hitters. The data-backed fastball explodes through the zone, which generates a lot of swing and miss. His slider shows depth that lends itself to whiffs too. Murphy rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that has arm side fade. His stuff plays very well. His command, and likely some velocity should return the farther away he gets from surgery. Assuming his timing will reset, there should be little that stops him from resuming his 2024 breakout. There is impressive potential for Murphy as a mid-rotation starter, though his ceiling should truly start to take shape next season if he's healthy. - Trevor Hooth
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
