Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

The Braves were excited to see what Bagwell could do in his first full season of pro ball in 2025 after giving him third-round money ($822,500) in Round 6 to sign him away from his Missouri commitment. The Illinois high school standout had shown glimpses of upper-90s velocity early on in his senior season but didn’t maintain that. He hasn’t shown a return to that kind of crisp stuff since, though an oblique injury that cost him three months didn’t help and put the organizational enthusiasm on hold.

Bagwell is a big, strong 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander with a feel for pitching and a potentially deep repertoire. When he was on the mound in 2025, his fastball sat at around 92 mph and topped out at 95, with some carry up in the zone. He needs to sharpen his secondary offerings, though his low-80s slider that features some sweep can miss bats at times and was particularly effective against right-handed hitters. He does have an 86 mph changeup he’ll use more against lefties that he’s still learning to trust, but it can get groundball outs.

With a football player’s build, Bagwell’s physicality is a plus, even if there’s not much projection in there. There’s some effort in his delivery, though he managed to be around the zone more often than not. He’ll need to find a true out pitch as he looks to turn in a full, healthy season. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

It seemed likely that Bagwell, a strong right-hander from the Illinois high school ranks, was going to honor his commitment to Missouri as the 2024 Draft approached. He had opened eyes by touching the upper 90s at the very start of his senior season but did not keep that kind of velocity up all year. He did head to the Draft combine and hit 96 mph during his brief outing. The Braves, never one to shy away from high-ceiling prep arms, took him in the sixth round and were able to keep him from heading to Mizzou by giving him $822,500, third-round money.

For most of his senior season, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Bagwell sat 89-94 mph with his fastball with decent carry up in the zone. His secondary stuff isn’t as consistently effective, with his 78-82 mph sweeping slider the best of his options. His upper-80s changeup is too firm, and like with many prep arms, he hasn’t thrown it a lot nor does he trust it much. 

Bagwell’s delivery does have some effort to it and that has led to command and control issues at times, even when pitching out of the stretch full time. He doesn’t offer much projection to his frame, but he’s more physical than many high schoolers, giving him upside to go along with some reliever risk.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Bagwell hails from a Collinsville (Ill.) HS program that has sent four players to the big leagues, including Tanner Houck, who graduated a decade ago. Bagwell created a lot of interest when he displayed a 96-97 mph fastball in the first inning of his first start as a senior, though he didn't maintain that velocity throughout the spring. He had a strong Missouri commitment to contend with, but the Braves liked his upside enough to go way over slot in the sixth round to sign him for $822,500.

Bagwell spent most of the spring operating at 89-94 mph with his fastball, which features good carry when he works up in the zone. He lacks consistency with his secondary pitches, though he can flash a solid 78-82 mph sweeping slider at times. His upper-80s changeup has some promising fade, but it's too firm and he doesn't trust it.

At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Bagwell doesn't have a lot of projection remaining. There's some effort to his delivery and he battles his control at times while working exclusively out of the stretch, so he comes with reliever risk. But he also comes with more physicality and peak velocity than most high schoolers, giving him intriguing upside.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Bagwell hails from a Collinsville (Ill.) HS program that has sent four players to the big leagues, including Tanner Houck, who graduated a decade ago. Bagwell created a lot of interest when he displayed a 96-97 mph fastball in the first inning of his first start as a senior, though he didn't maintain that velocity throughout the spring. It's unclear whether he'll go early enough in the Draft to lure him away from a Missouri commitment.

Bagwell spent most of the spring operating at 89-94 mph with his fastball, which features good carry when he works up in the zone. He lacks consistency with his secondary pitches, though he can flash a solid 78-82 mph sweeping slider at times. His upper-80s changeup has some promising fade but it's too firm and he doesn't trust it.

At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Bagwell doesn't have a lot of projection remaining. There's some effort to his delivery and he battles his control at times while working exclusively out of the stretch, so he comes with reliever risk. But he also comes with more physicality and peak velocity than most high schoolers, giving him intriguing upside.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	RHP Ethan Bagwell assigned to Atlanta Braves Prospects.
	07/22/2025	Augusta GreenJackets activated RHP Ethan Bagwell from the 7-day injured list.
	06/30/2025	Augusta GreenJackets sent RHP Ethan Bagwell on a rehab assignment to FCL Braves.
	04/29/2025	Augusta GreenJackets placed RHP Ethan Bagwell on the 7-day injured list.
	04/29/2025	Augusta GreenJackets placed RHP Ethan Bagwell on the 7-day injured list.
	09/03/2024	RHP Ethan Bagwell assigned to Augusta GreenJackets from FCL Braves.
	08/05/2024	RHP Ethan Bagwell assigned to FCL Braves.
	07/23/2024	Atlanta Braves signed RHP Ethan Bagwell.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Ethan Bagwell.
	06/09/2024	RHP Ethan Bagwell assigned to College Workout.
	07/22/2023	MWSA Blue activated RHP Ethan Bagwell.
	07/22/2023	MWSA Blue activated RHP Ethan Bagwell.
	07/21/2023	RHP Ethan Bagwell assigned to High School Workout.