This is the kind of thing that makes baseball nerds and Braves fans alike start nodding their heads in full agreement. Let’s talk about the Atlanta Braves, a team that’s not just surviving with a slow start in 2025 — they’re being recognized for doing one of the hardest things in sports: building from within.
Because let’s face it: free agents can come and go, and trade deals can be messy. But when you’ve got the homegrown goods, that’s a foundation.
A National League Leader in Development
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter came out with his rankings of homegrown talent across Major League Baseball, and Atlanta is proudly ranked No. 3 overall.
That’s not just a nice feather in the cap — that’s the highest in the entire National League. Ahead of them? Only the Orioles and Guardians, two American League squads with farm systems, have become the league’s envy. The Reds are the only NL team to sniff the top 10, sitting back at No. 6. So yes, the Braves are in elite company.
Reuter’s methodology was clear-cut: this isn’t about how stacked your roster is with talent right now; it’s about how you got them. Players drafted or signed as amateur free agents and developed in your own minor league system. No trades. No free-agent pick-ups. Just raw prospects turned polished pros under your own roof.
That means someone like Dansby Swanson, as beloved as he was during his time in Atlanta, wouldn’t have even counted — he came up through the Diamondbacks’ system.
Star Power That Stays Home
Who’s driving Atlanta’s placement in this ranking? Let’s roll the tape. Ronald Acuña Jr. — the electric outfielder who turns every at-bat into must-see TV. Austin Riley is a steady rock at third base. Spencer Strider is the fire-breathing starter with a 100-mph fastball. Michael Harris II, patrolling center field with smooth confidence. And, of course, Ozzie Albies — the energetic, glove-flashing second baseman who’s been a fan favorite for years.
Collectively, they’ve racked up 10 All-Star appearances, five Silver Sluggers, two Rookie of the Year honors, and a National League MVP. Not to mention 10 seasons where they’ve gotten MVP votes.
Oh, and let’s not forget — two of these guys were crucial pieces in the 2021 World Series title run. This core group of guys doesn’t just show up on highlight reels — they show up when it matters most.
Braves Pipeline Keeps Producing
But here’s the part that should scare the rest of the league — the Braves aren’t done. Not even close. Joel Reuter made it clear: even with Acuña and Strider sidelined, there’s talent waiting to explode.
He spotlighted Spencer Schwellenbach, a young starter with ace potential, and rookie catcher Drake Baldwin, who could be the next homegrown name to climb the rankings.
And that’s really what separates Atlanta. It’s not just about hitting on a few draft picks. It’s about creating a pipeline — a system that reliably churns out talent, season after season. Some teams win with the checkbook. Others play the trade market like Wall Street pros. The Braves? They build their empire from scratch.
Slow start or not, this team isn’t going anywhere—not when the foundation is this strong and still growing.
