The Braves lost 5-4 to the Cardinals on July 13, but the big news was drafting SS Tate Southisene. Learn about the new pick and Didier Fuentes' struggles.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another one-run heartbreaker. But while the Braves' 5-4 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday left a sour taste, the biggest news for the future of the franchise happened off the field. With the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Atlanta selected high school shortstop Tate Southisene, signaling a significant and exciting shift in their player acquisition strategy.
Despite a fastball graded as well above average, rookie Didier Fuentes has posted a jarring 9.00 ERA through his first three big-league starts.
For years, the Braves' mantra in the draft has been 'pitching, pitching, and more pitching.' That changed Sunday night. By selecting Tate Southisene, a talented shortstop straight out of high school, the front office is making a clear effort to restock a farm system that has become thin on high-ceiling position players. The move is a long-term play, but it's a necessary one to ensure the next wave of talent can support the big-league club for years to come.
The focus on the future is underscored by some of the present challenges on the mound. Highly-touted prospect Didier Fuentes has found his first taste of the Majors to be a tough one. Through his first three starts, Fuentes has been hit hard, accumulating a 9.00 ERA and a 5.92 FIP. While his fastball has been electric and graded as a plus pitch, his breaking balls haven't yet found their bite at this level, leaving him vulnerable. It's a classic rookie adjustment period, and the team will need him to find his footing quickly.
Back in the present, Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Cardinals was a frustrating affair. A tight game slipped away, with veteran Jesse Chavez taking the loss and St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley shutting the door. The loss was compounded by more tough injury news. Infielder Nacho Alvarez, who was hitting a blistering .361, is back on the IL with an oblique strain, continuing a frustrating pattern of injuries that have stalled his development. On a brighter note, pitcher Drue Hackenberg, out since May 14, has begun his climb back, tossing two scoreless innings in a rehab start in the Complex League. His return would be a welcome boost for a pitching staff in need of reinforcements.
It was a day of mixed emotions for Braves Country. The sting of a close loss and the frustrating injury to Alvarez are immediate concerns. However, the selection of Tate Southisene provides a jolt of long-term optimism. As the team looks to shake off the loss to the Cardinals, all eyes will be on Didier Fuentes's next start to see if he can make the necessary adjustments, while we eagerly await the healthy returns of Hackenberg and Alvarez to bolster the roster for the stretch run.
