Braves Briefing: Will Atlanta take a pitcher in the first round of the MLB Draft?

Here's a look around MLB from an Atlanta Braves perspective.

Zac Blackerby | May 17, 2023

The Atlanta Braves are working through their pitching situation - as it seems that the Braves are in a window where they can win another World Series, questions about pitching seems to be the biggest thing standings in the way of winning it all.

We all know that the MLB Draft isn't where teams go to patch holes in a roster, but any organization will stock up on talented pitchers throughout their organization.

In a mock draft from SportsNaut, they give Atlanta a standout high school pitcher. With the 24th pick, they project the Braves to select Charles Soto, RHP, from Reborn Christian High School.

Here's what they wrote about him:

Some clubs can afford to take bigger gambles and the Atlanta Braves are among them. Charlee Soto, 17 years old, offers the size (6-foot-5), fastball (consistently hitting 98 mph) and raw stuff to one day become a top pitching prospect. There’s an elevated risk with high school pitchers, especially when they are this young, but Atlanta can bet on the upside and its pitching development.

NL East Standings

Teams	Record	GB	Action Today
Atlanta	26-16	-	@ Texas
Miami	21-21	5.0	Hosts Washington
Philadelphia	20-22	6.0	@ San Francisco
NYM	20-23	6.5	Hosts Tampa Bay
Washington	18-24	8.0	@ Miami

We wrote it

Braves Today Editor-in-Chief Lindsay Crosby wrote his Quarter Season Superlatives yesterday. He discussed the MVP, Cy Young, etc. When looking at the Most Disappointing Regular, though, it's our Third Baseman:

It's, unfortunately, Austin Riley. The Braves third baseman has struggled to get going at the plate this season, with a season slashline of .247/.333/.396 and only six homeruns on the season. Struggling to find his power stroke, the slugger is sitting 102 points below his career slugging percentage and, despite playing everyday and hitting 3rd in the lineup for most of this season, has only collected 18 RBIs on the season even though on-base machine Ronald Acuña Jr in two spots in front of him in the lineup.
The issues seem to be related to fastballs, as Riley, who normally crushes four-seamers, is batting only .139 against them in 2023.
The Braves have dropped him back from the three-hole to cleanup in the last few games, with Ozzie Albies replacing him at the three. He's had better at-bats in the last few days, and hopefully it's what gets his bat going for the rest of the season.

Watch Braves highlights vs Texas

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves vs Texas Rangers

Wednesday's rubber match is scheduled for an 8:05 ET first pitch. The game broadcast, with Voice of the Braves Brandon Gaudin, is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports South, and is available on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.

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Published May 17, 2023

ZAC BLACKERBY

Zac Blackerby is the publisher of Auburn Daily and Braves Today. He is also the host of Locked On Auburn and the College Channel Manager for the Locked On Podcast Network. Blackerby was previously the program director of the Auburn Network and hosted shows on ESPN 106.7 and WANI. He also used to be the editor for Auburn Wire and Fly War Eagle.