Braves Prospects Who Can Still Make an MLB Impact in 2024

The Atlanta Braves have called on a number of young arms to try to halt a revolving door at the back of the starting rotation this year, and top prospects Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep are both currently part of a six-man starting staff.

With that said, they could still get positive contributions from a handful of other notable prospects before the season is over, whether it's in a supporting role or stepping into an opportunity created by injury.

Ahead, we've highlighted three prospects who can still make an MLB impact in 2024, focusing solely on players who have not yet appeared in the majors this year.

LHP Dylan Dodd

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PEORIA , AZ - OCTOBER 18: Dylan Dodd #46 of the Salt River Rafters pitches during the game between the Salt River Rafters and the Peoria Javelinas at Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 in Peoria , Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Braves have used nine different starting pitchers behind Max Fried, Chris Sale, Charlie Morton and Reynaldo López in the rotation already this year, so it seems like only a matter of time before Dylan Dodd gets another look in the big leagues.

The 26-year-old made seven spot starts in the majors last season, struggling to a 7.60 ERA in 34.1 innings, and while his numbers back at Triple-A this year don't jump off the page he is a member of the 40-man roster and capable of eating up some innings if needed.

He could also serve as a trade chip at the deadline, as the Braves have not hesitated to deal from their stockpile of upper-minors arms in recent years to address other needs on the roster.

RHP Grant Holmes

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ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 4: Grant Holmes #45 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the Atlanta Braves Postseason workout at Truist Park on October 4, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

Once upon a time, Grant Holmes was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

The No. 22 overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, he appeared on the Baseball America Top 100 prospect list prior to the 2015 (No. 74) and 2016 (No. 72) seasons.

He was traded to the Oakland Athletics at the 2016 deadline along with Jharel Cotton and a young Frankie Montas in exchange for Josh Reddick and Rich Hill, and he continued to show promise in the upper levels of the minors before things unraveled on the other side of the cancelled 2020 minor league season.

He returned to action in 2021 with an 8.01 ERA over 66.1 innings and similarly struggled the following year before he was released on July 28, 2022. The Braves scooped him up on a minor league deal a few weeks later, and he has resurrected his career with a move to the bullpen.

Now 28 years old and still pushing for his MLB debut, he has a 2.63 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 41 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett.

RHP Parker Dunshee

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SARASOTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: Parker Dunshee #93 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by teammate Drake Baldwin #81 after the final out of a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on March 13, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. The Braves defeated the Orioles 7-5. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

Another former top pitching prospect who is still trying to make his MLB debut as he pushes closer to his age-30 season, Parker Dunshee was actually teammates with Grant Holmes in the Oakland farm system.

The Wake Forest product went 13-6 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 150.2 innings between High-A and Double-A in 2018, but failed to match that level of success in the years that followed.

The Braves signed him to a minor league deal during the offseason, and in 15 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A he has a 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 41 strikeouts over 24.2 innings.