Much like most of Atlanta’s roster, first base isn’t exactly a top priority for the Braves headed into this month’s draft. However, with an extra lineup spot thanks to the universal DH, it’s not out of the question to take a first baseman if the price — and the pick itself — is right. Couple that with the notion that the farm system is significantly pitcher-heavy and it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for the Braves to stock up on some quality bats at the corner infield spots.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why the Braves may or may not go the first baseman route and a couple of guys they could take if they decide to do so.
The top guys
The Braves have their corner positions locked down for the foreseeable future in Matt Olson at first and Austin Riley. While Riley is on the right side of 30, the same can’t be said for Olson.
Olson is still producing at an above-average level and there’s nothing to suggest he won’t continue to do so for the next several seasons. However, with Marcell Ozuna set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, the Braves could take a gander at eventually shifting Olson to DH and bringing in a new guy to take over first base or vice versa if they elect not to extend Ozuna.
In terms of positional depth, first base is essentially a black hole for the Braves. Outside of David McCabe — who even splits his time between first base and the hot corner — there aren’t any true top prospects at first. So it stands to reason that the Braves could spend some draft picks beefing up the position.
If the powers choose to select a first baseman, there are plenty of solid choices to choose from. However, after the top two guys at the position, there is a steep drop off in terms of projections and talent.
The cream of the crop at the position is two-way University of Florida standout Joe Caglianone who figures to go in the top-5 picks. Meanwhile Wake Forest standout first basemen Nick Kurtz is a projected top-10 pick and has even been floated as a sneaky first overall pick by Clevaland. While Caglianone and Kurtz would be an absolute coup for the Braves, neither will be available when Atlanta selects at 24 barring some outlandish scenario.
Day two, three targets
If Atlanta chooses to go with a first baseman at all, it will most likely be beyond the first round or two unless they either really love a prospect or one falls into their lap like Caglianone or Kurtz.
While there is a drop-off in days two and three, there are still plenty of solid first basemen to choose from.
Jared Thomas
Texas’ Jared Thomas has split time between first base and the outfield during his time in the SEC for Texas A&M and possesses a solid feel for the zone and a great glove. The only knock against Thomas is that while he possesses a good bit of raw power, it hasn’t translated all that much to actual power during games. Thomas would be a solid choice for the Braves if they feel like they can help him tap into that power swing from the left side. Another plus would be Thomas’ age, as he just turned 21 last week.
In total, Thomas swatted 16 homers for the Aggies in his 2024 campaign while posting a 1.069 OPS on the year. The 21-year-old managed to put up these numbers while being nearly a full year-and-a-half younger than the competition he faced so there’s some definite upside with Thomas and he could be a sneaky good pick depending on where he’s taken.
Blake Burke
Another SEC guy in Blake Burke could be a good choice for the Braves in day two or three. A three-year player at Tennessee, Burke helped lead the Volunteers to this year’s NCAA championship over Thomas and Texas A&M.
Across 182 games at Tennessee, the 6’3, 236-pound Burke swatted 50 home runs while driving in 136 runs. A career .332 hitter, Burke also posted a robust 1.151 OPS over the course of his college career.
Early in his career, there were concerns over his approach at the plate. However, Burke managed to increase his walk rate while cutting down on the strikeouts in his junior season, quelling some of those questions.
Burke most-likely projects as a third to sixth round pick.
Ethan Anderson/Cole Mathis/Jared Jones
The next two guys we’ll discuss are solid players in their own right and could be relatively solid underslot deals if the Braves decide to go that route.
While at the University of Virginia, Ethan Anderson initially split time between first base and catcher, before injuries and questions about his defensive capabilities behind the plate led him to make the move to first.
In his 178 games with the Cavaliers, the 6-2, 215-pound Hawaii native showed a great feel for the zone, posting a .341 average to go along with a 1.001 OPS. While he’s shown the capability to play a solid defensive first base, there are questions about whether or not Anderson will be able to hit for enough power to be a solid big league option at the position.
Our third SEC guy to make our preview of first baseman, is LSU’s Jared Jones. Standing at 6’5, 253-pounds, Jones is a physically imposing presence at the plate and backs it up with plus-plus power.
While he only has two seasons of college ball under his belt, Jones made the most of his opportunities. In his first season in 2023, Jones launched 14 homers to go along with a 1.066 OPS in 55 games. Following the 2023 campaign, Jones stock fell as he had a less-than-stellar stint in the Cape Cod League.
However, Jones regained his form in 2024, hitting 28 homers which would be good for fifth in the SEC to go along with his 1.201 OPS.
On top of his immense physical potential, Jones also has the sneaky benefit of being a local guy from Marietta, Georgia, playing his high school ball at Walton High School.
As for Mathis, he is a guy who really improved his draft stock this year, showing a better power feel while cleaning up his strikeouts. In his junior year for the College of Charleston, Mathis led the offensive charge with a 1.122 OPS while tallying 14 homers and 57 RBI. Mathis also logged 100 innings on the mound for the Cougars, tossing a 4.14 ERA.
Like Anderson, Mathis feels like more of a project than Burke or Thomas and it stands to reason that the Braves probably won’t take a flier on either of them unless they either feel like they can fix some mechanical issues or if there is good value relative to the pick.
Myles Bailey
I won’t hide my bias here, as Bailey is by far and away my favorite prospect of the first baseman group — and the only prep player to make our preview.
At just 18-years-old, Bailey stands at 6’4, 235-pounds and has split time at both third base and first base for Lincoln High School in Florida. When you think of Bailey, think Tampa’s Xavier Isaac, who was a very similar player to Bailey coming out of high school.
While there are a lot of similarities between the two, Bailey has the edge on Isaac in a lot of physical ways. By all accounts, Bailey is in much better shape than Isaac was and also handles the strike zone a lot better.
As is the case with most high school guys, the team that takes Bailey away from his Florida State commitment will have to tinker with his stance at the plate to get the most out of his plus-plus power from the left-hand side.
The one major con against Bailey, is that he will be a 19-year-old prep player by the time the draft is here. But given the physical tools and the oozing of potential — combined with the southeastern ties — the Braves would be smart to take Bailey if the price is right.
