With the recent success the Atlanta Braves have had in calling up young players from the minor leagues, it is important to stay informed on which player could be next. After all, it wasn’t long ago (2021) that MLB stars Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II were in Rome themselves. Here are the four players you should keep an eye out for this season as they may be impacting the major league team in the near future.
David McCabe
David McCabe was recently promoted to the Rome Braves and hasn’t missed a beat since joining the team. The switch-hitting third-baseman bats cleanup in Rome, and has held a .900 OPS since being called up. The Ontario native has been affectionately nicknamed “The Big Maple” thanks to his great power with the bat. His play this year has moved him inside the top 25 of the organization’s prospect list, and it is unlikely he stays at that spot for long with how well his season is going. Look for him to possibly switch positions or be packaged as part of a trade in the near future due to Austin Riley having third base locked up in Atlanta for the foreseeable future.
Daniel Martinez
Daniel Martinez is a starting pitcher coming off an incredible May, in which he finished the month with twelve straight scoreless innings. He’s continued this dominance into June, even combining with teammate Luis Vargas for a no-hitter on June 8th. His season ERA sits at 1.46, and he has shown no signs of slowing down in Rome. The 24-year-old right-hander has shown much promise, especially in his ability to keep baserunners from scoring, where he is stranding 85% on the basepaths. This skill plays well in a relief role where the team can count on him to be brought into the game and keep the other team from taking a lead with runners on base. A string of injuries to the pitching staff higher in the organization means Martinez could very well find himself moving up to Double-A or Triple-A in the near future.
Drake Baldwin
Currently ranked at 23rd on the Braves prospect rankings, Drake Baldwin is a slugging catcher who bats left-handed. He leads the team in home runs while still boasting an impressive .359 on-base percentage. The Braves organization has had great luck with developing catchers in recent years, so it is likely that Baldwin will continue this success. The former 3rd-round pick will find himself a hot commodity with how highly teams view young catchers that can hit well. Expect him to continue developing as Travis d’Arnaud of the Atlanta Braves is 34 years old and may need a replacement within the next few seasons. If not, Baldwin could find himself part of a blockbuster trade like former Braves catchers William Contrares and Shea Langeliers did in 2022.
Rob Griswold
Rob Griswold is a right-handed reliever who has been nothing short of dominant for Rome this season. His 1.88 ERA is one of the lowest on the team, and he has yet to allow a home run this year. The sidearm pitcher is also 3/4 on save opportunities, providing a strong presence in the Rome bullpen. Pitching depth is one of the hardest things to find in baseball, so Griswold is making himself a valuable commodity. Similar to Martinez, pitching injuries can allow him to move up in the organization in an instant. Teams are also always looking for relievers to develop, so the Braves could possibly trade Griswold if another team has MLB-level talent they are willing to offer for the young righty.
