Braves third-round pick off to hot start with Augusta

The MLB Draft being in the middle of the season offers an opportunity for prospect gurus to get a look at each team’s draft class immediately. The Braves have a lot more names to keep tabs on than they did a couple of months ago, with third-round selection Cody Miller already showing off an intriguing set of tools.

Atlanta targeted shortstops with their first three selections in the draft because of their athleticism. That’s overwhelmingly evident in Miller’s game, who has elite speed, which he’s already flashed on several occasions in his first taste of professional ball with the Augusta Green Jackets. In five games, he is hitting .381 with a couple of extra-base hits, one home run, and a .981 OPS. He’s also been successful in both of his stolen base attempts.

Miller’s junior season at East Tennessee State marked a major leap forward, especially in the power department. After hitting just four combined home runs over his first two years, he launched 18 in 2024, along with 15 doubles and a .331 batting average. He also showed impressive plate discipline, walking 28 times compared to 35 strikeouts.

The future up the middle in Atlanta is as cloudy as it has been in a long time. Ozzie Albies has $7 million options for 2026 and 2027. The expectation is that the Braves will pick up his option this offseason, but there’s no guarantee he is going to remain the club’s starting second baseman past this season.

At shortstop, Nick Allen has done some tremendous things defensively in his first year with the Braves, but the club has to be looking to upgrade offensively. It’s been a black hole in the lineup ever since Dansby Swanson left in free agency following the 2022 season.

Those are not easy positions to upgrade externally, especially if the Braves are hesitant to throw big money at the problem. That leaves the door wide open for this new wave of athletic, high-upside middle infield prospects to climb the ladder quickly.

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Photo: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire

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