Braves 2025 first-round pick off to terrific start to his pro career

When the Braves selected high school shortstop Tate Southisene with the 21st pick in the draft last year, the Athletic’s Keith Law dubbed it the biggest reach in the first round. 

“Tate Southisene has his fans — scouts love the kid, as they did his brother, Ty, in last year’s draft — but Atlanta’s first-round pick was the biggest reach of the round for me,” Law wrote. “I don’t think there’s a plus tool here; he has a decent enough swing, but he has some swing-and-miss issues against breaking pitches and changeups, and I don’t see great adjustability in his approach right now. He is a plus runner and could move to center, which would help his value, but I don’t think there’s enough hit tool probability or upside here for Atlanta to take him with the 21st pick.”

Well, there’s a reason Keith Law is writing articles and not scouting players. Because not only does Tate Southisene possess a plus tool, he’s showing early this season with the Augusta GreenJackets that he might have the entire tool belt.

Southisene’s approach at the plate has been magnificent. He’s walked nearly as often as he’s struck out and is getting on base at a ridiculous .431 clip. But even that might not be the most impressive aspect of his offensive production.

With another home run last night, Southisene now has seven on the season through just 33 games, tying him for the league lead.

T as in Troy? No, T as in TaTe SouThisene is Tied for the league lead in homers. pic.twitter.com/GV6zf3OoVz

— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) May 13, 2026

Tate Southisene doesn’t have the biggest frame, standing under 6-foot and weighing around 180 pounds, but the ball flies effortlessly off his bat. Possessing that kind of power at just 19 years old, paired with above-average contact skills while playing a premium position like shortstop, are the kinds of traits that put players on the fast track to top-100 prospect status.

Eric Hartman joined that club earlier this week following his scorching start in Rome. His teammate John Gil — another one of the Braves’ intriguing shortstop prospects — likely isn’t far behind, and Southisene could join them by season’s end.

This is easily the strongest the organization has looked from a position-player prospect standpoint in quite some time. The next generation of Atlanta Braves talent is not arriving quietly.

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Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)