The Atlanta Braves enter the MLB draft next week with the 22nd overall pick. From a farm system standpoint, the Braves could be in a better position, meaning this will give them an excellent opportunity to improve in that area. The No. 22 pick will also allow the Braves to get creative, as there are a few ways they could go.Â
However, most analysts believe the Braves will continue to add to their pitching stock, including a recent prediction from the Sporting Tribune that had them selecting Riley Quick, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Alabama.Â
âIt’s mostly arms mentioned with Atlanta, which should come as no surprise. They’d love a crack at Wood, just like the two teams ahead of them.
âOther college arms like Zach Root, Patrick Forbes and Anthony Eyanson are in play, as is top prep southpaw Kruz Schoolcroft. I wouldn’t rule out a bat, though, Hammond or local product Pierce in particular,â they wrote.
It’s never a bad idea to go with college arms, especially ones from the SEC. Throughout his career at Alabama, Quick pitched in three seasons, posting a 3.72 ERA in 31 appearances.
He dealt with an injury during the 2024 campaign, but bounced back nicely in 2025, striking out 70 hitters over 62.0 innings.Â
What Will the Braves Look to Address?
ESPN recently examined what the Atlanta Braves might do, and added that while the chances of them taking a picture are high, it might be better to reverse their trends and go with a bat.Â
âOne big question: Will the Braves continue to use their top picks to stockpile arms?
âThe Braves have taken pitchers with at least their first three picks in each of the past four drafts. They’re tied to more arms this year — Gage Wood and Tyler Bremner get mentioned at their first pick, along with a number of position players — but will they continue this trend when roughly 75% of the top of their farm system is pitchers? This is a great opportunity to reverse that trend and select a position player with their first pick, as the pool of best available talent is likely to be about 75% position players,â they wrote.
Quickâs Rise and Return From Tommy John Surgery
Regarding what Quick has, many view him as a big-time athlete. He proved during last season with Alabama that he can bounce back from a significant injury after undergoing Tommy John surgery.Â
According to MLB.com, he has a 60-grade fastball, which should intrigue teams like the Atlanta Braves. They also noted that he was the top Alabama high school baseball prospect in 2022 and had drawn interest from college football programs.Â
âQuick was Alabama’s top high school baseball prospect in 2022, as well as a four-star offensive lineman who drew interest from college football programs, but he was determined to pitch for the Crimson Tide. After a successful freshman season in Alabama’s bullpen, he blew out his elbow in his first college start in 2024 and had Tommy John surgery. He returned quicker than normal, making it back for the start of the 2025 season and staying healthy other than missing a late-March start with a bad blister,â they wrote.
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