Isaiah Drake wasted no time turning heads last week, and Owen Carey wasn’t far behind.
Drake was electric in limited action, going 7-for-10 with a home run, three runs scored, two RBI and two walks. He appeared in just three games, but still reached base nine times while hitting .700 for the week.
After a slow start and some lost time because of injury, he’s now up to .326 with an .815 OPS. The at-bats have looked cleaner too, with Drake showing better pitch selection and using his tools to put pressure on pitchers.
Carey put together his own breakout stretch, finishing 6-for-16 with three walks, three RBI, a double and a stolen base. He reached base nine times as well, and the early returns are encouraging for the 20-year-old outfield prospect.
He was vulnerable at the top and bottom of the zone, but he didn’t chase east-west, which is a strong sign for his approach. Carey’s season line now sits at .302 with an .853 OPS, and the bat speed continues to stand out.
Tate Southisene also kept finding ways on base, even with the glove giving him trouble. He went 4-for-15 with four runs, three walks and a stolen base, and reached base seven times across four games.
The defensive side was rough - he committed three errors in one game last week - but the offensive value remains obvious. He got on base in three of his four games and reached at least twice in the other three, keeping his profile very much alive despite the fielding issues.
On the mound, Tyler LaPorte finally allowed an earned run, ending a run in which he had avoided that damage throughout the rest of his AFL stint. Even then, he answered with 1.2 scoreless innings in his second outing, not allowing a hit or a walk.
Across two games, he logged 2.1 innings, gave up one hit, one earned run, two walks and struck out one. In a league built for offense, he’s still been getting the job done with improved command and nasty stuff.
Tanner Bauman also turned in another clean inning, working around a walk to keep the scoreboard quiet. He threw one inning without allowing a hit or a run, and after a rough opening to the AFL, he’s settled in with much better command and sharper pitch execution. He may not have LaPorte’s stuff, but the tunneling and game-plan execution have clearly improved.
Logan Samuels delivered two solid appearances as well, allowing just one hit over 2.1 scoreless innings with no walks and one strikeout. The former starter has adjusted well to a bullpen role, and while the stuff has ticked up some, his recent success has mostly come from better execution.
Owen Hackman made a brief appearance out of the bullpen and kept things tidy, throwing one inning with one hit, no runs, no walks and one strikeout. The former starter handled the bullpen well in 2026 too, showing strong strikeout numbers without issuing too many free passes. The main issue has been contact, but he’s done a decent job of limiting it in the AFL.
Briggs McKenzie, though, had a tougher time. He was knocked around quickly and was in the stretch by his second batter.
His mechanics from the stretch still need work, and his command drops off there compared with his windup. It’s been an uneven AFL for McKenzie overall, with flashes of dominance one outing and trouble escaping innings the next.
For now, the biggest focus has been building arm strength and simply getting innings under his belt, something he has handled well enough.
In Other News...
Braves Add A Familiar Depth Option As Bench Picture Stays Unsettled
The Braves have added a familiar utility option to the organizational mix, signing infielder Vidal Brujn to a minor league contract and sending him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Brujn brings plenty of big league experience for a depth move, having appeared in 271 major league games since 2021 across six teams, and he gives Atlanta another versatile infield name to keep in the pipeline.
For a bench picture that still looks unsettled, the move makes sense as the Braves keep sorting through their infield depth and possible spring options. Brujn could also get a look in Spring Training as a non-roster player, which would give the club a better read on where he fits while the rest of the roster picture continues to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Prospect Isaiah Drake Is Giving Fans Another Reason To Watch
Isaiah Drake keeps turning heads in the Arizona Fall League, and his latest showing gave Braves fans another reason to keep an eye on Glendale. In a back-and-forth game against Peoria, Drake was a constant presence at the plate while Tate Southisene and Owen Carey also got into the action for the Desert Dogs, with Tyler LaPorte and Logan Samuels handling work on the mound.
The Desert Dogs came out on top 9-8, and the box score had plenty of Braves-related notes to sort through. LaPorte and Samuels each delivered scoreless innings, giving the club some needed stability in a game that stayed tight throughout, while Drakes day stood out as one of the more encouraging individual performances on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Defense Just Earned A National Stamp Of Approval
Defense has been one of the quieter strengths around the Braves, and now it has a national seal of approval. Matt Olson and Mauricio Dubn were both honored with Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for their work in the 2026 season, giving Atlanta a pair of recognized defenders who made their value felt in different ways across the field.
Olson added another Gold Glove at first base, while Dubn was rewarded for his versatility as a utility player, a reminder that the Braves defensive profile has not rested on one spot or one style. The recognition also puts Atlanta back in a familiar place among the leagues best gloves, with the club now waiting to see whether this kind of all-around excellence can keep stacking up in the seasons ahead. [Read more 🡒]