Taking stock of Atlanta's top pitching prospects through first month

This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman¡¯s Braves Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ATLANTA -- Now that AJ Smith-Shawver has graduated from prospect status, there¡¯s even more reason to keep an eye on the next flock of Braves starting pitching prospects. Here¡¯s a look at how some have fared during the season¡¯s first month.

Cam Caminiti (Braves' No. 2 prospect): The 18-year-old left-hander -- who was taken with the 24th overall pick last year -- hasn¡¯t been assigned to a Minor League affiliate yet. He dealt with some left arm discomfort in Spring Training, but he is building up strength and throwing in extended spring camp. The Braves will be cautious as the teenager preps for his first full year as a professional.

Hurston Waldrep (Braves' No. 3 prospect): The 23-year-old first-round selection from the 2023 MLB Draft has posted a 6.04 ERA through his first five starts for Triple-A Gwinnett. His 13.8 percent walk rate is far too close to his 18.3 percent strikeout rate and opponents have hit .308 against him. This stretch hasn¡¯t quieted thoughts that he and his splitter might eventually be best utilized out of the bullpen.

Drue Hackenberg (Braves' No. 5 prospect): This has also been a rough stretch for Hackenberg, who was taken in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old righty has a 6.75 ERA through five starts with Double-A Columbus. He seemed to right himself with a couple good starts recently, but he allowed 10 hits and eight runs (seven earned) in four innings against Chattanooga on Saturday. It should be noted he threw one inning on Tuesday before rain halted play, so he was dealing with an altered schedule in this last outing.

Owen Murphy (Braves' No. 6 prospect): The 21-year-old first-round selection from 2022 is approximately 11 months removed from Tommy John surgery.

JR Ritchie (Braves' No. 7 prospect): Ritchie, another 2022 first-round selection, has posted a 2.57 ERA through his first four starts for High-A Rome. His best outing was completed Tuesday, when he allowed two runs and struck out five over 6 2/3 innings against Winston-Salem. His 20.2 percent strikeout rate isn¡¯t eye-popping, but he has limited opponents to a .181 batting average.

Garrett Baumann (Braves' No. 8 prospect): Baumann struggled with his command in the Spring Breakout game and he issued four walks in his season debut for Rome. But the 6-foot-8 hurler has issued just two walks over his past three starts combined. He threw six scoreless against Winston-Salem on Wednesday.

Lucas Braun (Braves' No. 10 prospect): Braun has posted a 3.00 ERA through his first four starts for Columbus. He has 26 strikeouts and just two walks over 24 innings. If he continues to show good command, he¡¯ll show why he created a buzz around Spring Training, despite not being in big league camp. The 23-year-old right-hander has made steady strides since being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 Draft.

Didier Fuentes (Braves' No. 11 prospect): This might actually be the Braves¡¯ best pitching prospect. The 19-year-old hurler was promoted to Double-A after recording nine strikeouts over five innings for Rome on April 18. He recorded seven strikeouts in three innings against a talented Tigers prospects team in the Spring Breakout game. He allowed three runs in 2 2/3 innings when he made his debut for Columbus on Sunday.