"The Braves' first selection, No. 9 overall, is protected. Their second-highest, No. 26, is the Prospect Promotion Incentive choice they received for Drake Baldwin winning National League Rookie of the Year. The Braves value that pick, the highest second selection of any club. Right-hander Hurston Waldrep, who had a 2.88 ERA in 56 1/3 innings as a rookie last season, was the 24th overall choice in 2023. Lefty Cam Caminiti, the Braves' No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, went 24th overall in 2024."
"If the Braves were going to sacrifice the No. 26 pick, they likely would have preferred to do it for a position player or starting pitcher rather than a reliever. That still could happen. Right-handers Zac Gallen and Michael King and lefties Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez are among the remaining free agents who rejected qualifying offers. The extent of the Braves' interest in those pitchers is unclear."
A club that signs a free agent who rejected a qualifying offer forfeits at least its second-highest draft pick. The Braves’ first pick, No. 9 overall, is protected, while their second-highest pick—No. 26—was acquired as a Prospect Promotion Incentive after Drake Baldwin won National League Rookie of the Year. The Braves place high value on that No. 26 pick, which has produced recent notable prospects such as Hurston Waldrep, Cam Caminiti and Tate Southisene. If Atlanta sacrifices the pick, the team would prefer a position player or starting pitcher over a reliever. Several prominent pitchers who rejected qualifying offers remain available, including Zac Gallen, Michael King, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez, though the Braves’ level of interest is unclear.
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