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Atlanta Braves Linked to ‘Cluster’ of High School Prospects in MLB Draft

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Atlanta Braves Linked to ‘Cluster’ of High School Prospects in MLB Draft


As the 2024 MLB Draft nears, the Atlanta Braves’ top targets appear to be emerging – and the list includes several highly touted high school arms.

In The Athletic‘s latest mock draft, the Braves selected Alabama commitment and Oxford High School (Ala.) shortstop Carter Johnson at No. 24 overall, but draft insider Keith Law added a plethora of additional names to monitor for Atlanta’s first-round choice.

“I’ve heard them with the cluster of high school pitchers in play anywhere from here to the top of the second round — (Ryan) Sloan, Kash Mayfield, (William) Schmidt, and particularly Braylon Doughty,” Law wrote.

The Braves are “also a possible fit” for another shortstop in Kellon Lindsey, who attended Hardee High School in Wauchula, Fla. and went No. 22 overall to the Baltimore Orioles in Law’s mock. Lindsey is currently committed to the Florida Gators.

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Lindsey and Johnson both have plus hit tools, with Lindsey, a former high school quarterback, also boasting elite run times. Johnson boasts a smooth lefty swing but may ultimately have to transition to second or third base as he ages, according to MLB Pipeline.

Sloan, another name mentioned by Law, went No. 23 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who also have interest in Schmidt. Neither Mayfield nor Doughty found landing spots in the opening frame of Law’s projections.

Schmidt and Sloan, both right-handed pitchers, have big arms, running their fastball up to 99 while sitting in the mid-to-high-90s.

Doughty, a righty, and Mayfield, a lefty, have topped 97, but both have impressive off-speed stuff, with Doughty throwing potential plus sliders and curveballs while Mayfield has an “advanced” changeup, per MLB Pipeline.

As for college prospects, Law said the Braves haven’t been linked to many.

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“Atlanta might be Brecht’s floor,” Law wrote. “Beyond Brecht, I haven’t heard them specifically with any college guys.”

Brecht went No. 20 overall to the Blue Jays in Law’s mock draft. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has immense physical tools and stuff that drew comparisons to Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes.

“When he’s on, Brecht’s fastball and slider are comparable to those of Paul Skenes,” writes MLB Pipeline. “He can sit at 96-99 mph and touch 101 with his heater, which has explosive running action and superior shape to Skenes’ fastball, though Brecht doesn’t locate his nearly as well.

“All that said, his best pitch is a slider that parks at 87-89 mph and peaks at 91 with plenty of horizontal and vertical action.”

Since general manager Alex Anthopoulos’s first draft in 2018, the Braves have selected three high school arms – Carter Stewart (2018), Owen Murphy (2022) and JR Ritchie (2022 supplemental) – and five collegiates, including a trio of arms and a pair of bats.

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Which direction will Anthopoulos and the Braves go this summer? The lean appears to be the high school route – but the answer will come Sunday.



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Atlanta, GA

Buckhead apartment building evacuated due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels

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Buckhead apartment building evacuated due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels


A Buckhead apartment building was evacuated for a time late Tuesday night due to a carbon monoxide alarm. 

What we know:

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The incident occurred at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Pharr Court South. 

According to Atlanta Fire Rescue, firefighters are investigating elevated carbon monoxide levels.

The entire building was evacuated as a precaution. 

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One person was evaluated at the scene for possible carbon monoxide exposure. 

Crews ventilated the building while they looked for the source.

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Firefighters say they were able to finally locate the source and contain it.

Once readings were back to a safe level, residents were allowed back inside the apartments.

What we don’t know:

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It remains unclear how many residents were displaced by the evacuation. 

The Source: The details in this article come from the Atlanta Fire Rescue.

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2 arrested in deadly drive-by shooting of 7-year-old Atlanta girl, police say

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2 arrested in deadly drive-by shooting of 7-year-old Atlanta girl, police say


Two suspects in a shooting that left a 7-year-old Atlanta girl dead and her mother injured are now in custody nearly a week after the violence, police say.

The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 24 at a home on the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Drive NW.

Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute between one of the victim’s family members and the gunman over the phone. Thirty minutes after the argument, the suspect came back and fired shots into the home, police said.

Officers responding to the scene found a 44-year-old woman and her daughter, identified as 7-year-old Zoe Price, shot. Medics rushed the pair to a local hospital, but Price died from her injuries.

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Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the department’s homicide unit secured an arrest warrant for 19-year-old Preston Smith two days after the shooting. Smith turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail on March 2.

Schierbaum said officers executed a search warrant on Feb. 27 at a home on McDaniel Street. On that day, 17-year-old Steven Richardson, who police described as an “accomplice,” turned himself in to authorities.

Both men are charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, three counts of aggravated assault, second-degree criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and four counts of third-degree cruelty to children. Richardson is also charged with possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 18.

At a press conference to announce the arrests, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens described Price as a bright and compassionate little girl who was “full of energy and full of joy.”

“Her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence, and that loss is not abstract. It is a chair that is going to be missing at the dinner table each night. It is an empty classroom seat next to her friends,” Dickens said.

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The mayor called the arrests “a step forward towards justice” for Price’s family and families across the city.

Dickens said that violence, like the act that took Price’s life, would not be tolerated in Atlanta.



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Atlanta Braves News: Top 30 Prospects, Starting Pitching Depth, More

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Atlanta Braves News: Top 30 Prospects, Starting Pitching Depth, More


On Monday, the Braves were able to earn another Spring Training victory over the Detroit Tigers. It was a game where the starting pitching depth of the Braves was on full display, as Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, and Owen Murphy all threw multiple innings. While it is likely unwise to expect big things from any of these three arms this season, they are a part of the “next man up” group for the Braves if injury again impacts the rotation. Each had a solid effort today, a trend that will hopefully continue.



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