Braden Nett Stats & Scouting Report

IP	3
ERA	0
WHIP	1.33
BB/9	6
SO/9	6

Full name Braden Nett
Born 06/18/2002 in Troy, MO
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School St. Charles CC

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.

Track Record: Nett is a scouting success story for the Padres. He did not pitch in college, recorded just two outs in the summer collegiate Appalachian League in 2021 and worked a 6.48 ERA across 16.2 innings in the MLB Draft League in 2022. The Padres signed him that August. Nett spent much of 2023 in the Arizona Complex League, while reaching Low-A Lake Elsinore for 13 innings and then adding 17 more in the Arizona Fall League. In 2024, Nett reached a career-high 65 innings between High-A Fort Wayne and, briefly, Double-A San Antonio.

Scouting Report: Nett has an athletic frame with some length in his lower half and strength throughout. He moves well on the mound and features a compact delivery with a short, quick arm stroke and attacks hitters from a three-quarters slot. A former basketball player, Nett’s athleticism is evident in his dynamic movement patterns. His fastball sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and is most effective—and generates the most whiffs—in the top half of the strike zone thanks to its carrying life. Nett’s low-to-mid-80s slider flashes tight sweeping life as well as some depth. In 2024 it generated a 38% miss rate. He rounds out his arsenal with a seldom-used changeup which ranges between the high 80s and low 90s. Nett’s control is fringe-average and his strike-throwing ability can escape him at times. He will need to continue to take positive strides in that department in order to maximize his upside.

The Future: Nett figures to begin 2025 with Double-A San Antonio, and he could earn a promotion to Triple-A El Paso before the end of the season. Much of Nett’s ceiling hinges on how his command and control progress. At his best, he could be a serviceable No. 4 starter. A 2025 MLB debut is not completely out of the question, though 2026 is more realistic.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45
BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Post-pandemic, the Padres have prized themselves on adding to smaller draft classes with undrafted free agents. Nett is quickly becoming the best of the bunch. Nett did not pitch in college, recorded just two outs in the Appalachian League and posted a 6.48 ERA in the MLB Draft League, but the Padres saw enough raw stuff to sign him for $10,000 after the 2022 draft. Shoulder weakness limited Nett’s first pro summer and he was inconsistent in the complex league and Low-A Lake Elsinore in 2023, but his command took a leap forward in the Arizona Fall League. He emerged as one of the AFL’s breakout prospects, was selected for the Fall Stars Game and started the league’s championship game.

Scouting Report: Nett is a wiry, 6-foot-3 righthander with a fresh, emerging arm. His fastball sits between 94-96 mph and touches 98 with late explosion and carry at the top of the strike zone. It’s a borderline plus-plus pitch he can blow by hitters. Nett’s best secondary offering is sweepy breaking ball with tight spin and good shape that projects to be an above-average pitch, although it’s inconsistent. He also flashes a below-average, rarely used changeup that is a bit firm in the low 90s. Nett’s effectiveness comes down to control. He jumps forward in an effortful delivery and is prone to losing his hat. His stuff plays with even below-average control, but it is often worse than that.

The Future: Nett projects to be a hard-throwing reliever if he can throw enough strikes. He’ll see High-A Fort Wayne in 2024.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40