ATLANTA — Unlike in previous years when the Atlanta Braves have been buyers at the trade deadline but were limited due to a lack of quality trade chips, 2026 puts them in strong contention to offer much more, courtesy of a stronger farm system.And according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos, the team does want to add, especially when it comes to pitching. While he hasn’t spoken publicly to reporters who regularly cover the team, he has gone on to do interviews with MLB Network Radio and other local stations.“As much as we all like to say, ‘I need to get this, I need to get that,’ sometimes you just have to take what might be available to you,” Anthopoulos said. “I think it’s been pretty obvious, if there’s a playoff-caliber starter out there, we would jump at that. If there’s a reliever (out there), we would jump at that.”To say the Braves need starting pitching would be an understatement, given the plethora of injuries to their pitching staff.Scouts have flocked to Braves minor league affiliates. High-A Rome, which has the best crop of talent to offer, had scouts from the Padres, Detroit Tigers and Athletics in attendance this weekend.With trade deadline season underway, the Braves as buyers and those teams listed above trending toward selling, it can’t be a coincidence they were in attendance. The Braves have a strong system, and teams are taking notice. Here’s who they could be targeting:The usual suspectsEric Hartman, OF, High-A RomeBackground: Perhaps no outfield prospect in baseball has shot up the rankings the way Hartman has this season. The 2025 20th-rounder who signed for $337,500 has always been a solid contact hitter, but his power has exploded this season. In 89 games in 2025, he hit .240 with five home runs. This year, he’s batting .269 with 22 home runs.What scouts are saying: Scouts attribute Hartman’s improvement to added strength, a more mature eye at the plate and a swing path designed to get the ball in the air more consistently. The 20-year-old is a beneficiary of the South Atlantic League playing in smaller ballparks, and while scouts believe his contact will remain prevalent, they aren’t sure that his power will remain consistent. A promotion to Double-A will indicate where Hartman could trend, but the Braves likely won’t send him to Columbus until after the trade deadline.Cam Caminiti, LHP, High-A RomeBackground: Caminiti, the Braves’ 2024 first-round pick, overcame an early forearm injury to deliver a dominant first full professional season. The 18-year-old posted a 2.08 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings at Low-A Augusta, cementing his status as one of baseball’s premier teenage pitching prospects.What scouts are saying: Evaluators are encouraged by Caminiti’s overall progress, pointing to improved delivery, fastball command and efficiency. While his velocity may fluctuate at times, they believe he’s at his best when he attacks the zone, generates early contact and works quickly through innings rather than chasing strikeouts. His slider remains the biggest area for development, but evaluators see a foundation that could allow him to take another step as he continues to refine his arsenal.The likely targetsBraves pitcher JR Ritchie will likely be one of the first names brought up in trade conversations. (Matthew Grimes Jr. / Atlanta Braves / Getty Images)JR Ritchie, RHP, Triple-A GwinnettBackground: Ritchie will be one of the first names brought up in trade conversations. He passes the eye test, and there is plenty to like, but his 14 percent walk rate — tied for the highest among pitchers with 50 innings — remains a concern.What scouts are saying: Most scouts believe Ritchie could be a mid-rotation starter if he improves his command and continues building off his advanced feel for pitching. His arsenal today looks nothing like it did when he was drafted, as he now throws six pitches and is comfortable landing his entire mix. While that could be enough to keep hitters off-balance, his curveball has gone from a once-bleak offering to a pitch he now relies on 27.2 percent of the time.John Gil, SS, High-A RomeBackground: Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $110,000 in 2023, Gil has outperformed his bonus, emerging as one of Atlanta’s top position prospects.What scouts are saying: Evaluators remain encouraged by Gil’s long-term outlook despite some defensive inconsistency. They believe his error total is inflated by the amount of ground he covers, noting his range allows him to reach balls many shortstops can’t. At just 20 years old in High-A, they see no reason to move him off the position yet. Offensively, Gil has cooled after a strong start, but evaluators still like his bat speed, ability to handle velocity and overall athleticism. Combined with his makeup, they believe the tools are in place for him to develop into an everyday shortstop.Tate Southisene, 2B and SS, High-A RomeBackground: Southisene comes from one of Nevada’s top baseball families, following brothers Ty, Tee and Troy through Basic High School before becoming the Braves’ first-round pick in 2025. He signed for a below-slot $2.62 million bonus and made his professional debut with Low-A Augusta, where the 19-year-old flashed the athleticism and upside that made him one of the top prep position players in the draft.What scouts are saying: Evaluators describe Southisene as a fearless, high-energy player who competes with relentless intensity. They believe his aggressive approach allows him to impact games in multiple ways, particularly through his speed and base-running instincts. While his offensive production has cooled somewhat in High-A, evaluators aren’t concerned given he’s still one of the younger players at the level. They don’t project him as a prototypical power hitter, but they see enough offensive upside to complement his athleticism, competitive makeup and ability to consistently pressure opponents.The chip-insDavis Polo, RHP, Low-A AugustaBackground: Signed out of Colombia in 2022, Polo has built a reputation as a reliable strike-thrower. After missing 2025 following Tommy John surgery, he has returned looking like his pre-injury self, backed by a track record of strong command and encouraging underlying metrics.What scouts are saying: Polo attacks hitters with a polished three-pitch mix highlighted by advanced command and feel to locate throughout the zone. His slider and changeup both project as quality secondary offerings, giving him starter upside. Evaluators believe adding strength and velocity to his fastball could unlock another level.Diego Tornes, OF, Florida Complex LeagueBackground: Tornes, the Braves’ $2.5 million prize from the 2025 international class, lived up to expectations in the Dominican Summer League, reinforcing the belief that he has the offensive upside to become one of the organization’s most impactful international signees in years. However, he has struggled at the plate this season, and despite being touted for his power as an amateur, he has yet to hit a home run through his first two seasons.What scouts are saying: Scouts point to Tornes’ combination of bat speed, raw power and athleticism as reasons for optimism. Though aggressive at the plate, scouts believe he makes adjustments well and covers the strike zone effectively. Defensively, he has exceeded expectations in center field, with some scouts believing he can remain there long term thanks to his instincts and a plus arm.The verdictThe Braves won’t likely trade either Hartman or Caminiti unless they get a frontline starter with control — or if they decide to dip their toe in the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes.Ritchie is the likeliest target to be dealt on the 40-man roster if the team they are dealing with wants a major-league-ready starter who they can develop. Gil seems to be the player many scouts are evaluating most, and even if he can’t stick at shortstop long term, his bat profiles well enough to make him a solid second baseman.Polo’s return to pre-injury form has restored his value as a long-term pitching prospect. Tornes offers some of the highest upside in the system but will require significant development before his tools translate into major league impact. That makes them good chip-ins to go with another prospect.