Braves Enhance Roster with Promising Draft Picks

A lively baseball draft event showcasing players and team representatives.

News Summary

The Atlanta Braves made significant additions to their roster on Day 2 of the MLB Draft, selecting 17 players including standout shortstop Alex Lodise. Lodise, a recipient of the Dick Howser Award, showcased impressive statistics at Florida State University, notably hitting 17 home runs in a single season. The Braves aimed to diversify their lineup with talented prospects from various collegiate and high school backgrounds, including 22nd overall pick Tate Southisene, who boasts a strong family legacy in baseball. These selections reflect the Braves’ commitment to building a competitive future.

Atlanta – The Atlanta Braves expanded their roster on Day 2 of the 2025 MLB Draft, making a total of 17 selections and showcasing some exciting potential for the future of the team. Among the highlights of the day was the acquisition of Alex Lodise in the second round, a noteworthy pick who received the prestigious Dick Howser Award, given to the top college baseball player in the nation.

Lodise, a former standout at Florida State University (FSU), transferred from North Florida after his freshman year and quickly became a leader on his team, serving as a co-captain. In his impressive junior season, he posted a remarkable .705 slugging percentage and hit 17 home runs, establishing himself as a significant offensive threat. His development as a shortstop during his time at FSU also caught the attention of scouts, as he demonstrated substantial improvement in his defensive skills, contributing to his accolade as a stellar player in college baseball.

Alongside his achievements on the field, Lodise left a lasting impression with a memorable performance earlier in the season when he hit a walk-off grand slam, completing a cycle against Florida on March 25, an emotional moment shared with family present in Jacksonville.

The Braves’ Day 2 selections included a variety of promising players from different colleges and high schools, showcasing the organization’s strategic focus on building a diverse and competitive roster. The draft picks comprised:

4th Round (127th): LHP Briggs McKenzie, Corinth Holders High School (NC)
Comp-4 (136th): 2B Dixon Williams, East Carolina
5th Round (157th): OF Conor Essenburg, Lincoln-Way West High School (IL)
6th Round (187th): LHP Landon Beidelschies, Arkansas
7th Round (217th): RHP Zach Royse, UTSA
8th Round (247th): RHP Carter Lovasz, William & Mary
9th Round (277th): OF Logan Braunschweig, UAB
10th Round (307th): RHP Kade Woods, LSU
11th Round (337th): RHP Colin Daniel, UAB
12th Round (367th): RHP Jay Woolfolk, Virginia
13th Round (397th): RHP Logan Forsythe, Louisiana Tech
14th Round (427th): RHP Mathieu Curtis, Virginia Tech
15th Round (457th): OF Dallas Macias, Oregon State
16th Round (487th): RHP Nico Wagner, West Valley College
17th Round (517th): RHP Brody Fowler, North Greenville University
18th Round (547th): RHP Aivan Cabral, Northeastern
19th Round (577th): RHP Ryan Heppner, University of British Columbia
20th Round (607th): OF Hayden Friese, Western Carolina

One of the standout selections was Tate Southisene, chosen as the 22nd overall pick. The high school player from Basic High School in Henderson batted an impressive .495 during his season, hitting nine home runs and scoring 15 runs. He has committed to play baseball at USC, but he may opt to join the Braves if a contract is finalized.

The Southisene family has a background in baseball, as Tate’s older brother, Ty Southisene, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round the previous year, and another brother, Tee Southisene, is currently playing college baseball at USC. This familial connection further emphasizes the talent present within the Southisene family.

As the Braves move forward with their roster decisions from the 2025 MLB Draft, the combination of experienced talent and young prospects like Lodise and the Southisenes will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s future. With a commitment to building a competitive roster and enhancing their player development strategy, the Braves appear to be positioning themselves well for success in the coming seasons.