I am sure you have done something like this--but the arms in AAA and AA that might get to Atl this year? Hayden Harris is under the radar guy for a while but it seems like people are noticing him despite the low metric/velo numbers. It seems like with all this pitching some will be here to replace minter etc long term. The Braves have been spending a bunch of money on the pen almost every year. How many do you have being ready this year (even if the Braves don't call them up for whatever reason--like everyone in the pen is complete nails in 25)?
Hayden Harris is the first one that comes to mind, yeah - was a bit surprising that he wasn't invited to spring training, but they just had *so* many NRIs that they needed to evaluate that there wasn't time for a guy they knew wouldn't break camp with the team.
Do you know if Alfredo Sena is gonna be a 2026 or 2027 signee. Baseball America once said 2027. But on his.Youtube highlights they say 2026. He's already wearing.his Braves gear.
Maier's such a tough one to predict simply because of the lack of college or pro innings until last year - he could be as early as next season but 2027 feels more likely.
Jhancarlos Lara's still threatening a move to the bullpen because of the walk rates and the lack of a consistent third pitch, but I'd give him a 2027 ETA as well (with the acknowledgement it could be earlier if he moves to relief)
Raudy Reyes? No clue. He's never thrown in pro ball so I have no idea, but just a standard IFA timeline would put him on a 2029-2030 ETA.
Yeah, Maier is a toughie. He is also Rule 5 Eligible this year, so he has a lot to prove this year. Kind of wanted to see him in the Spring Breakout game tbh. Lara and Burkhalter are also Rule 5 eligible this year. I agree with your Burky breakout pick. He's a surefire major leaguer.
I would read that. Our next wave of pitching arms are finally on the come up and they also gotta compete with Hack and Braun (2026 Rule 5 guys) for space on the 40-man. (would say that previous wave was Schwellenbach, Smith-Shawver, and Waldrep).
Edit: I expect a lot of shuffling this season on the AAA Rotation. Mejia is also Rule 5 eligible. Guys like Elder, Dodd, and Anderson are in serious danger of losing their spots, especially if AJSS breaks out this season.
Fun fact, one of the articles I linked in that first paragraph from my time at SI was Ben Sestanovich talking about how Schwellenbach was a 2025 guy. He just got here early.
I am sure you have done something like this--but the arms in AAA and AA that might get to Atl this year? Hayden Harris is under the radar guy for a while but it seems like people are noticing him despite the low metric/velo numbers. It seems like with all this pitching some will be here to replace minter etc long term. The Braves have been spending a bunch of money on the pen almost every year. How many do you have being ready this year (even if the Braves don't call them up for whatever reason--like everyone in the pen is complete nails in 25)?
Hayden Harris is the first one that comes to mind, yeah - was a bit surprising that he wasn't invited to spring training, but they just had *so* many NRIs that they needed to evaluate that there wasn't time for a guy they knew wouldn't break camp with the team.
Let me work on this over the weekend and get back to you, @ozziefan!
Lindsay;
Do you know if Alfredo Sena is gonna be a 2026 or 2027 signee. Baseball America once said 2027. But on his.Youtube highlights they say 2026. He's already wearing.his Braves gear.
Will Nichols
sevaterp@yahoo.com
I reached out to Hector Gomez and he told me 2027, so let's go with that until something more official comes out.
Thank you
Very happy subscriber !!!
This was a very insightful read. Thank you Lindsay! Quick question, what are the ETAs of Jhancarlos Lara, Adam Maier and Raudy Reyes?
Maier's such a tough one to predict simply because of the lack of college or pro innings until last year - he could be as early as next season but 2027 feels more likely.
Jhancarlos Lara's still threatening a move to the bullpen because of the walk rates and the lack of a consistent third pitch, but I'd give him a 2027 ETA as well (with the acknowledgement it could be earlier if he moves to relief)
Raudy Reyes? No clue. He's never thrown in pro ball so I have no idea, but just a standard IFA timeline would put him on a 2029-2030 ETA.
Yeah, Maier is a toughie. He is also Rule 5 Eligible this year, so he has a lot to prove this year. Kind of wanted to see him in the Spring Breakout game tbh. Lara and Burkhalter are also Rule 5 eligible this year. I agree with your Burky breakout pick. He's a surefire major leaguer.
A good season for Maier probably gets him the Dylan Dodd 40-man spot, while Lara and Burkhalter are probably protected no matter what.
Ooh, that's a good idea for a newsletter: looking at every Dec 25 R5-eligible guy and what they need to do this season to get protected
I would read that. Our next wave of pitching arms are finally on the come up and they also gotta compete with Hack and Braun (2026 Rule 5 guys) for space on the 40-man. (would say that previous wave was Schwellenbach, Smith-Shawver, and Waldrep).
Edit: I expect a lot of shuffling this season on the AAA Rotation. Mejia is also Rule 5 eligible. Guys like Elder, Dodd, and Anderson are in serious danger of losing their spots, especially if AJSS breaks out this season.
Fun fact, one of the articles I linked in that first paragraph from my time at SI was Ben Sestanovich talking about how Schwellenbach was a 2025 guy. He just got here early.