Atlanta Braves Earn National Praise for Elite Homegrown Roster

The Atlanta Braves may be navigating a slower-than-usual start to the 2025 season, but when it comes to building from within, they’re still setting the standard.

In a recent Bleacher Report feature, MLB writer Joel Reuter ranked the Braves as the No. 3 team in baseball for homegrown talent, shining a spotlight on the franchise’s long-standing commitment to player development. Among all National League teams, Atlanta stands at the top.

Setting the Bar in the National League

Only the Cleveland Guardians (No. 1) and Baltimore Orioles (No. 2) finished higher than the Braves in Reuter’s rankings, making Atlanta the highest-ranked National League club. The Cincinnati Reds were the only other NL team to crack the top 10, landing at No. 6.

Reuter’s evaluation focused on players who were drafted or signed as amateur free agents and developed in their organization’s farm system. Under this lens, the Braves emerged as a standout, with 14 homegrown players currently on their 40-man roster.

It’s a strict definition—meaning players like Dansby Swanson, who played a major role in the Braves’ recent success but was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks, wouldn’t be counted in this group.

Five Faces of a Homegrown Powerhouse

At the core of Atlanta’s roster are five dynamic players, all developed in-house:

• Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF) – The reigning NL MVP

• Austin Riley (3B) – Middle-of-the-order bat and cornerstone at the hot corner

• Spencer Strider (SP) – Flame-throwing ace

• Michael Harris II (CF) – Defensive star with offensive upside

• Ozzie Albies (2B) – Veteran presence and fan favorite

Together, these five have 10 All-Star appearances, five Silver Slugger awards, two Rookie of the Year honors, a league MVP, and a combined 10 seasons of MVP votes. Two were key pieces in the team’s 2021 World Series run.

Depth That Keeps Delivering

Even with Acuña and Strider currently sidelined, the Braves’ system continues to produce. Reuter noted the presence of Spencer Schwellenbach, a rising starting pitcher, and Drake Baldwin, a rookie catcher already turning heads.

“The Braves’ collection of homegrown talent will look a lot better once Ronald Acuña Jr. is patrolling right field and Spencer Strider is firing off 100-mph fastballs on the mound,” Reuter wrote. “Even with those two stars sidelined, they still have three All-Star-caliber hitters.”

Why Homegrown Still Wins

Every team takes a different route to contention. Some go all-in on the free-agent market. Others wheel and deal at the deadline. But Atlanta has consistently leaned into its farm system—and the results speak for themselves.

While only two teams in the top 10 of Reuter’s homegrown rankings have won a World Series in the past decade, the Braves are one of them. Their ability to scout, develop, and promote internal talent remains a key pillar of their sustained success.

A Model Built to Last

The Braves haven’t just assembled a strong roster—they’ve built one that’s homegrown, balanced, and designed to compete for years to come. As key players return and the team regains momentum, Atlanta’s foundation is one of the strongest in the league.

In a sport where so much changes year to year, one thing has stayed consistent: the Braves know how to grow their own stars—and win with them.