I’m bored at work, and have nothing better to do, so why don’t we look back at the Braves rebuild era. More specifically, the Braves draft philosophy during that time period, which centered around pitching depth, and drafting guys with high-upside.
Also, this will be kind of fun in a, “hey, remember that guy?” sort of way.
NEVER MATERIALIZED/INJURIES
Touki Toussaint (Fangraphs FV: 50, 2019)
currently playing in the Mexican Baseball League
best season was in 2023 with the CWS/CLE, 87 IP, 0.4 fWAR
Kyle Muller (FG FV: 45+, 2023)
currently playing in the NPB
best season was 2024 with A’s, 49 IP, 0.1 fWAR
Ian Anderson (FG FV: 60, 2021)
currently a free agent, will miss entire 2026 due to torn labrum
best season was 2021 with Braves, 128 IP, 1.8 fWAR
Huascar Ynoa (FG FV: 45, 2020)
currently in the Angels minor league system
best season was 2021 with Braves, 91 IP, 1.4 fWAR
Kyle Wright (FG FV: 40, 2020)
currently signed with Cubs on minor league contract
best season was 2022 with Braves, 180 IP, 2.8 fWAR
Luiz Gohara (FG FV: 50, 2019)
hasn’t been in an MLB system since 2020
best season was 2017 with Braves, 29 IP, 1.0 fWAR
Jared Shuster (FG FV: 45, 2023)
released by Cardinals on 4/16/26
best season was 2024 with the CWS, 73 IP, 0.2 fWAR
CARVED OUT A NICHE
Kolby Allard (FG FV: 45, 2019)
currently with Guardians AAA 2026
best season was 2019(TEX)/2025(CLE)
starter with Texas in 2019, 45 IP, 1.1 fWAR
RP with Cleveland in 2025, 65 IP, 0.7 fWAR
Sean Newcomb (FG FV: 50, 2017)
currently throwing out of the BP with the CWS
best season was 2018(ATL)/2025(CWS/BOS).
starter with Braves in ’18, 164 IP, 1.9 fWAR
RP with CWS/BOS in ’25, 92 IP, 1.7 fWAR
Bryse Wilson (FG FV: 45, 2021)
currently in the Phillies minor league system
best season was 2023 with Brewers, 76 IP, 0.3 fWAR
TBD
Dylan Dodd (FG FV: 35, 2025)
currently on the IL with Braves
best season was 2025 with Braves, 35 IP, 0.2 fWAR
Spencer Strider (FG FV: 45+, 2022)
currently rehabbing in AAA
best season was 2023 with Braves, 186 IP, 5.5 fWAR
Spencer Schwellenbach (FG FV: 50, 2024)
currently on the Braves IL
best season was 2024 with Braves, 123 IP, 2.7 fWAR
Michael Soroka (FG FV: 55, 2019)
currently dominating with the Diamondbacks
best season was 2019 with the Braves, 174 IP, 4.0 fWAR
HITS
Max Fried (FG FV: 50, 2018)
currently doing Max Fried things with the Yankees
best season was 2022 with the Braves, 185 IP, 4.9 fWAR
How do you guys feel? Was this philosophy a success?
