The Braves signed Rayven Antonio for just $10k as an international free agent in the same 2023 class where they landed Luis Guanipa. Antonio was a bit of a lottery ticket with some upside, but also a lot of development needed.
What were the 2025 expectations?
There were none. After signing Antonio spent 2023 in the DSL, mostly in relief, pitching to a 1.16 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 22 strikeouts in 31 innings. While those numbers were dominant, it was the DSL and he didn’t miss many bats. In 2024 he spent the year between Augusta and the FCL, pitching to a 4.05 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 46.2 innings, also more in relief. Those numbers were solid for an age-18 season, but he really didn’t miss many bats – though he did an excellent job of forcing ground balls.
Coming into the year the expectation was that he would head back to Augusta, and most expected him to switch back between a relief and starter role like he had the past couple of seasons.
Antonio spent the year with Augusta, though fully in a starter role, and broke out. He pitched to a 4.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 95 strikeouts to 36 walks over 93.1 innings. He was Augusta’s best starter this year as he continued to create ground balls, but started to miss bats. His 9.2 K/9 was almost three better than his previous career high of 6.4 from 2023. In fact until he struggled a bit in his final two starts, he had a 3.38 ERA and 1.16 WHIP – but it isn’t a surprise as the 19-year-old was at 88 innings pitched by this time, way beyond his previous career high of 46.2 innings last year.
Antonio is likely ticketed for Rome this year and a potential innings increase, which isn’t a surprise since most expected him to end up there at some point in 2025. Antonio could even climb to Double-A at some point in 2026 with a fastball up to 98 MPH, swing and miss slider, and solid command.
.webp?ssl=1 "The state of play at Cadillac after three races of the 2026 season")
