The upcoming MLB Draft could give the Braves plenty of opportunities to repeat success with the pool of local prospects from within Georgia.
The MLB Draft is coming up on July 9 with three days of selections that will help shape future seasons of baseball action.
The Braves are one of the best teams in MLB this year and across recent seasons. The goal is to maintain success and the draft can play a huge role in that.
Any player from around the country could become the next Braves legend but there's something especially magical about the prospect of a local kid being that special draft pick.
So which Georgia products could Atlanta look at this year?
No. 3 local product the Braves could take in MLB Draft: LHP Jaden Woods
The best prospect out of the University of Georgia this year is pitcher Jaden Woods.
MLB.com ranks Woods as the 236th player in the draft, noting that "scouts are skeptical that Woods can maintain quality stuff or throw enough strikes to thrive as a starter." Still, he projects as a reliever who could help the Braves bullpen in the long run.
Woods is from Warner Robins, GA. He stayed home with the Bulldogs and earned a sport management degree in three years. He isn't a sure thing but he could be worth the risk for the Braves just because of his upside.
No. 2 local product the Braves could take in MLB Draft: SS Tai Peete
Tai Peete has a whole lot of life ahead of him at just 17 years old. When he turns 18 in August, perhaps he'll be a member of the Braves organization.
Peete ranks No. 53 in the MLB.com draft prospect rankings with his "electric left-handed swing," "well-above-average raw power" and "all-around" athleticism.
Fans may remember him from the Little League World Series. In 2018, he played for Peachtree City, a team that went on to finish fourth overall. Now, the shortstop stars for Trinity Christian in Sharpsburg, GA and is currently committed to Georgia Tech.
He'll have to decide whether he wants to follow through on that commitment, but being drafted by the Braves would keep him in Georgia for the long haul.
Of course, there are other Georgia Tech-bound players for Atlanta to look at in the draft from shortstop Antonio Anderson to outfielder Drew Burress.
No. 1 local product the Braves could take in MLB Draft: SS Colin Houck
MLB.com has Colin Houck ranked No. 12 among draft prospects, which makes it a pretty sweet deal that The Athletic's Keith Law recently mocked him to the Braves at No. 24.
The Braves won't find a better prospect from their own backyard in this draft, even if the shortstop is expected to fall out of the Top 15. At 18 years old, he's going to need some polish, but the talent is there.
Houck was the Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year at Parkview HS, which also produced Braves first baseman Matt Olson. In addition to his clear ability as a shortstop on the baseball diamond, he's a capable football player as well. He's a three-star quarterback.
With a commitment in place to Mississippi State, Houck could go the college route, whether he intends to play baseball or football. However, that seems unlikely unless he slips all the way out of the first round. And the Braves shouldn't let that happen.
It doesn't matter than Atlanta has no shortage of shortstops in their system. When an elite prospect from a powerhouse school in your region is available in the draft, you take him.
