When the Atlanta Braves bucked their usual trend and selected Tate Southisene in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, it marked a rare shift in philosophy, and a bold one at that. For years, Atlanta had been the blueprint for drafting and developing arms, often stockpiling young pitchers early while trusting its scouting and development to uncover hidden gems at the plate later. But in 2025, the script flipped. With Southisene, the Braves weren’t just drafting for athletic upside; they were placing a significant bet on an unpolished hitter with tools that dared evaluators to dream.
An Aggressive First Round Approach Meets Professional Reality
Southisene brought to the table what scouts salivate over: twitchy athleticism, a premium defensive profile, and an electric first step. He was undersized, yes, and sometimes over-eager at the plate, but he hit the ball hard and could fly once he put it in play. In a draft thin on elite middle infielders, Atlanta saw an opportunity to invest in a premium athlete who, with polish, could anchor the top of a lineup and the middle of a diamond for years. The vision was clear.
But as his pro debut unfolded, the reality was anything but. Across 66 plate appearances in Low-A, Southisene’s early results were jarring. A 27-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio underscored just how overmatched he looked. The aggressive approach that was once part of his charm now exposed his biggest weakness. Pitchers with average stuff could consistently get him to chase. A .219/.242/.297 slash line confirmed what the swing decisions already suggested; this wasn’t just a slow start. It was a system shock.
Flashes of Power Offer a Glimpse of Potential
Yet, in the middle of that rough debut, one number stood out: a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105.4 MPH, second among teenage draftees, behind only Ethan Holliday. That’s not a fluke. That’s real bat speed and real strength, the kind you can’t teach. Pair that with his speed, and there’s still a path forward. If he can make even marginal improvements to pitch recognition and plate discipline, ground balls start turning into base hits. Stolen bases follow. Confidence builds.
Now It’s Atlanta’s Turn to Deliver
But the burden doesn’t rest solely on Southisene’s shoulders. The Braves’ development staff now faces a pivotal test. They’ve drawn criticism in recent years for an uneven track record with young hitters. Turning Southisene into more than a flash of athletic promise would not only salvage this pick but send a message that Atlanta can still identify and refine offensive upside when it matters most.
The bottom line is this: Southisene’s early struggles are real, and so are the concerns. But the tools are real, too. He’s not a lost cause, not by a long shot. But the clock has started, and both he and the Braves have a lot to prove.
