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Owen Hackman wasn't a headline name when the Atlanta Braves selected him in the ninth round of the 2024 draft out of Loyola Marymount. He inked a senior sign deal for a modest $2,500 bonus, far from the fanfare that accompanies top prospects like Tate Southisene, Briggs McKenzie, or Eric Hartman.
Yet after another promising performance in the Arizona Fall League, Hackman is quietly making a case for a closer look. On October 26, Battery Power's Fall League report noted that Hackman tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings, surrendering no hits or walks while needing only 14 pitches. He threw strikes at a 71.4% rate and showcased a changeup that is steadily improving alongside his sweeper and slider.
That development is significant. A reliable changeup gives a pitcher an additional weapon to keep hitters off balance, and for a reliever, that can be the difference between sticking in the majors and fading out. Hackman has already undergone a notable role shift to reach this point. After starting about 20 games in his first two professional seasons, he made just two starts in 2026 and transitioned into a full-time relief role.
The move makes sense. His fastball reaches 95 mph, and his slider sits in the mid-80s. In shorter outings, a pitcher can rely on his best pitches without the concern of facing a lineup a third time. The 2026 results weren't overpowering—Hackman recorded a 4.39 ERA across 32 minor league games—but he also struck out 63 batters in 53 innings, a rate better than 10 per nine, and notched three saves. That's a respectable line with real swing-and-miss ability, though it doesn't scream breakout.
The case for Hackman is less about the numbers and more about his trajectory and what he's showing in Arizona. So what does Atlanta need to see in 2027? First, consistent command. His walk rate climbed from 4% at High-A Rome to 7.5% at Double-A Columbus. The team also wants proof that the changeup holds up against more advanced hitters—a pitch that could boost his effectiveness against left-handed batters. And naturally, he'll need to find success at the next level. If he does, Hackman begins to look like a legitimate major league option.
To be clear, there's no indication that Atlanta has permanently moved him to the bullpen or views him as a soon-to-be big leaguer. But with the Braves' bullpen needs and the potential of a lockout looming, the internal option Hackman provides could become both valuable and necessary.
Key Analysis
The bigger picture is what stands out most. The Braves have a knack for uncovering value in unheralded arms—Tyler LaPorte is a prime example—and Hackman could be the next in line. If Atlanta can continue developing useful relievers from within, it could eventually reduce its reliance on expensive veteran additions, providing the kind of flexibility every front office covets. Owen Hackman may never crack a national prospect list, but that doesn't mean he isn't worth watching. Sometimes the most compelling stories in a farm system are the ones nobody saw coming.