Braves News: Injury updates, Eric Hartman, more

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2026: Eric Hartman #64 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images Some good stuff has been happening on the farm for this Braves franchise this year, as a number of position-player prospects have been really showing out, including shortstops John Gil and Tate Southesene.

Perhaps the most impressive has been 2024 20th round pick, Canadian centerfielder Eric Hartman. Hartman joined Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list and for due reason. He has been absolutely raking, to the tune of a 182 wRC+ and a .

695 SLG. Hartman is well known for elite speed, but his power and exit velocities have been arguably most impressive this season and what the Baseball America crew discussed as important to this ranking so early in the season. While I’m not a prospect expert, its really nice to see the Braves with a handful of exciting hitting prospects again after such a pitching dominated system for the last number of years.

Braves News Walt Weiss gave a number of injury updates that were generally positive or neutral on Ronald Acuna, Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep, Eli White, and Joe Jimenez. Weiss also discussed the need for adjustments to the team’s baserunning , as pickoffs stack up. Draft expert Matt Powers took a look at the recent history of the 9th overall pick in the draft , as the Braves own that pick in the upcoming draft.