Atlanta Braves fans were left bitterly disappointed after the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery concluded β the club, which entered with the sixth-best odds of landing the first pick, instead fell three spots and will now select 9th overall. Battery Power+2AJC+2
π What Happened
Heading into the lottery, the Braves were among the frontrunners thanks to a 76β86 finish in 2025 and the misfortune of a few other clubs rendering them ineligible for a top-pick. That gave Atlanta a 4.54% shot at the top slot β one of the highest probabilities among non-playoff teams. Baseball America+2SI+2
Despite those odds, luck did not fall their way as the ping-pong-ball draw placed them at 9th. Battery Power+2Wikipedia+2
𧩠What This Means for the Future
Landing 9th still keeps them in the top 10 β offering a solid opportunity to add promising talent. The pick carries a slot value around $3.5 million, giving the organization some spending power for a meaningful signing. AJC+1
Additionally, thanks to their recent success developing young talent, the Braves also secured a second first-round slot (around pick 26) under MLBβs Prospect Promotion Incentive, increasing their overall draft flexibility. AJC+2House That Hank Built+2
π Looking Ahead
The 9th pick may not land the βonce-in-a-generationβ star some fans hoped for β but with competent scouting and smart signings, it could still unearth a contributor, or even a future core piece. With two first-rounders, the Braves have a chance to bolster both their immediate and long-term depth.
Still, missing out on a top-six slot is a blow; it reduces their margin for error and intensifies the pressure to get their selections right. For Braves supporters, the hope now is that this draft wonβt just be about quantity β but quality.
(Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
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