The Braves head into the 2026 MLB Draft with a little extra help baked into the board, thanks to a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick that comes with real value. That’s the big Braves-specific wrinkle to keep in mind as the draft gets rolling this weekend.
The event itself is spread over two days. Rounds 1 through 4 are set for Saturday, July 11th, while rounds 5 through 20 will take place on Sunday, July 20th.
On Day 1, coverage starts at 1:00 PM ET on NBC/Peacock for picks 1-10 of the first round. After that, the broadcast moves to MLB Network for picks 11-40, which includes the end of the first round, the PPI selections and competitive balance round A. From there, coverage shifts again to MLB.com and MLB.tv for picks 41-135.
For Braves fans, the most important part is where Atlanta lands in the order. The Braves got a PPI pick because Drake Baldwin began the season on the roster and then won Rookie of the Year, which gave the club an extra selection before the second round.
Here’s how the Braves’ draft slate breaks down: Round 1, pick 9; PPI, pick 26; Round 2, pick 84; Round 3, pick 84; Round 4, pick 112; Round 5, pick 144; Round 6, pick 173; Round 7, pick 202; Round 8, pick 232; Round 9, pick 262; Round 10, pick 292; Round 11, pick 322; Round 12, pick 353; Round 13, pick 382; Round 14, pick 412; Round 15, pick 442; Round 16, pick 472; Round 17, pick 502; Round 18, pick 532; Round 19, pick 562; Round 20, pick 592.
That extra PPI selection also affects the money Atlanta can spend. The Braves’ total draft bonus pool comes to $15,870,800.
That figure matters because if a team goes over its allotment by as much as 5%, it gets hit with a 75% tax on the overage. The penalties climb from there, though that level of overspending is extremely rare.
In Other News...
Braves May Already Have Their Best Shortstop Answer In House
Cristian Dubn has quietly become one of the more useful bats in the Braves mix, showing up near the top of the club in batting average and OPS while adding the kind of situational production that tends to matter in October-style baseball. His work has been especially notable with two outs and runners in scoring position, and he has also given Atlanta valuable defensive flexibility by handling shortstop and several other spots around the diamond.
That versatility is part of why Dubn has started to look like a real answer for a team still sorting out its long-term shortstop picture. The Braves have other options in the conversation, and rookie Jim Jarvis has done enough to stay on the radar, but he still profiles more as a utility piece than a clear everyday solution. With the position unsettled beyond this season, Dubns all-around value is making the decision harder, not easier. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Deadline Focus Just Shifted To A Move Fans Have Wanted
Atlantas position atop the NL East has held up even through a rough June, and a recent series win over the Pirates offered a reminder that the Braves are still very much in the mix. But the bigger picture around the club has shifted toward what comes next, with Alex Anthopoulos already signaling that Atlanta expects to be active at the trade deadline and that pitching help will be a priority.
The emphasis on starting pitching makes sense for a team trying to steady itself for the stretch run, and the market could push the Braves toward a familiar veteran type if they decide to make a move. Sonny Gray has surfaced as one name to watch, giving fans a reason to keep an eye on how aggressively Atlanta pursues rotation upgrades over the next few weeks. [Read more 🡒]
ESPN Just Revealed Two Braves Deadline Fits Fans Will Obsess Over
The Braves deadline conversation is already taking shape around two very different needs, and ESPNs Jeff Passan put a spotlight on both. Atlanta is looking for starting pitching help, and Passan flagged Freddy Peralta as a possible fit while also pointing to the shortstop market, where CJ Abrams stands out as the kind of player who could reshape a lineup if he ever became available.
Abrams is the more intriguing name for Braves fans because the upside is obvious, but the path to a deal is anything but. Passan noted the Nationals are highly unlikely to move him and would drive a massive price if they even entertained it, which leaves Atlanta in the familiar spot of weighing big-name possibilities against the reality of what actually gets done in July. [Read more 🡒]