​With the 48th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves selected Kaiden McCarthy, a right-handed pitcher from Vermont who reclassified into this draft. McCarthy is notably young for his class and stood out during the recent combine, showcasing a fast-tempo repertoire and potential that appeals to the Braves’ development approach.
Bio
Name: Kaiden McCarthy
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Chester, Vermont
High School: Vermont Academy
School: Tennessee
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185 pounds
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Rankings
Baseball America: 76
Perfect Game: 54
Pipeline: 61
ESPN: 51
Overslot: 67
My Own: 68
Consensus: 58
Tools
Fastball: 60
McCarthy sits in the upper-90s, with a fastball that has flashed well above 95 and can touch 99 mph at times, a fastball that immediately catches attention on the mound. His heater showed well during the high school showcase at the combine, reinforcing his reputation as one of the more electric arms in this class.
Slider: 50
The slider is an average offering for now, with respectable depth. There is potential for it to develop into a more consistent above-average pitch if he adds some power and a touch more late break, especially as he refines his mechanics and confidence in the pitch.
Curveball: 55
McCarthy’s curve is above-average and has shown flashes of bright potential, sometimes flashing plus when he’s at his best. The shape and late depth give him an attractive secondary option that can keep hitters off balance when his fastball plays up.
Changeup: 50
The changeup sits at roughly average for his age, with room to improve. So far, it hasn’t been a prominent weapon at the prep level, but it has the foundation to become a solid third pitch as he matures and repeats his delivery more consistently.
Command: 50
McCarthy is a capable strike-thrower who projects to be an average command pitcher as he continues to develop. His ability to locate with consistency will be a key factor in his progression through professional levels.
Overall assessment
McCarthy is a projection-filled arm who is younger than many peers in this draft and hails from the Northeast, a region that tends to yield resilient athletes who can endure the rigors of a long season. His size suggests a durable build, and his fastball velocity combined with a refined up-to-90s velocity window makes him an enticing development project for a club like Atlanta that prioritizes molding interpretive, high-ceiling arms. The Braves appear to be betting on his long-term upside, believing his fastball would anchor a potential plus-pitch arsenal if harnessed with improved secondary offerings.
In terms of timeline, McCarthy may need time to refine his secondary stuff and command at the pro level. It would be reasonable to anticipate a gradual ramp, with a realistic path to the majors extending into the latter part of the decade. A late-2029 to 2030 ETA for his major-league debut could be plausible if he progresses steadily and avoids significant setbacks. The overslot nature of his signing adds a layer of financial flexibility for the Braves to invest in his development, underscoring the organization’s confidence in his ceiling.
In sum, Kaiden McCarthy represents a high-ceiling, low-floor pitcher whose combination of pure velocity, projectable frame, and potential for improved off-speed weapons aligns well with the Braves’ developmental philosophy. The pick signals Atlanta’s willingness to invest in a raw but tantalizing arm who could develop into a staff mainstay if his secondary pitches mature and his command becomes more consistent.