Atlanta Braves 2026 Draft Targets: Tyler Spangler
With the Braves’ draft position finalized as of Tuesday night, it’s time to start evaluating potential targets for 2026. This series will spotlight ten players who could realistically be available when the team holds the ninth overall pick. We’ll skip the four prospects who, at present, aren’t in contention to fall that far—the top three shortstops (Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, Justin Lebron) and the standout pitcher (Liam Peterson).
We continue with a second shortstop in Tyler Spangler. This group reflects pre-spring scouting, acknowledging that stock and scenario can shift dramatically over the next eight months.
Tyler Spangler hails from California’s Concord De La Salle High School, a program better known for other sports than baseball. He stands about 6’3” and weighs around 195 pounds, bats left-handed, and throws right. A key element that could influence his draft trajectory is that he would be the first big Stanford commit in the NIL/pay-for-play era, which could affect bonus demands and stock. However, those numbers aren’t settled yet, as these details typically crystallize late in the process.
Some evaluators rank him as the third-best prospect in this draft, trailing only Cholowsky and Emerson, boosted by a strong summer that elevated him from a fringe first-round pick into the top tier. Others aren’t as high, but there’s broad agreement that he belongs in the top dozen selections based on his raw talent. At present, I’d place him as the best shortstop outside the two top-tier targets the Braves are unlikely to land.
Spangler isn’t paired with a guaranteed-plus tool set across the board. His value rests on multiple offerings that project to above-average, with one exception: his raw run tool. A notable concern is his larger frame for a shortstop, reminiscent of Corey Seager, which has some scouts questioning whether he might outgrow the position. If that happens, third base could be his eventual home, and he’s projected to be a strong defender there.
He carries the potential to be an All-Star at either position, and the ceiling could mirror a bat-first shortstop like Seager. His advanced, mature hitting approach—consistently making hard contact, drawing walks, and the power trajectory—helps justify a high draft selection this July.
