Given that the Atlanta Braves are trending towards their first losing season since 2017, the rest of this season should be geared towards getting the organization in better shape for 2026 and beyond. It does seem like the Braves are headed in that direction with their rumored trade deadline approach, but they also really need to start experimenting with their big league roster as well.
With the sheer number of injuries and ineffectiveness Atlanta has dealt with this season, this is a team that needs to start changing their approach and being bold with changes to try. Again, there is no time like the present to get some data going into the offseason to see what roster changes they need to prioritize. That means the Braves should give some of their prospects a look at the majors and perhaps even send some guys from the major league roster down to the minors to work on some things.
Here are the Braves players that need some time in the minors as well as those that deserve a chance in the big leagues
While some clubs have a can't miss prospect that they have to make a decision over, the Braves don't really have that sort of player right now in the minors. Instead, they have intriguing depth pieces, at least in the high minors, that warrant at least a look in the big leagues. Conversely, Atlanta should really consider demoting a couple players off the big league roster in an effort to get them back on the right track.
Braves need to stop messing around and put Jhancarlos Lara in the big league bullpen
While his overall numbers at Gwinnett so far don't exactly scream "promote me", Jhancarlos Lara has the kinds of pitch metrics that organizations dream about. After getting promoted to Triple-A, Lara did struggle a good bit, but he has been much better recently.
Over his last nine appearances as of July 24, the young Braves flamethrower has a 3.09 ERA with the bulk of the damage against him coming in a single appearance on July 4. Over the same span, he has 17 strikeouts in 11.2 innings of work. Command issues are going to be a constant struggle with Lara, but he has the kind of raw stuff that Atlanta needs in their bullpen right now and they should at least give him a cup of coffee in the majors to see where he stands.
Bryce Elder needs to go back to the minor leagues where he belongs so Atlanta can try some fresh blood
Bryce Elder is a bit of a polarizing figure as he has absolutely given the Braves some much needed innings and durability in their rotation. However, his stuff is also very unexciting and his starts are often adventures of his own making. This often leads to objectively mediocre at best starts with a couple gems and turds thrown in there.
The issue is that there is not really much of a ceiling with Elder at all. He is the definition of a quad-A rotation arm that teams stash at Triple-A in case of an emergency. It just so happens that Atlanta has been in a constant state of emergency all year long and he has been pressed into service. Somehow, Atlanta needs to get back to a state where Elder is hanging around at Gwinnett while other, better arms are taking the ball every fifth day.
The Braves need to give Hurston Waldrep another look in the majors to see if his changes are working
One potential option to replace Elder on the roster that is at least interesting and certainly has more upside is Hurston Waldrep who remains one of the Braves' better prospects. An adjustment to his delivery has given him slightly better fastball shape and command and that splitter of his remains an unfair pitch.
It is fair to wonder why the Braves haven't given Waldrep a shot again this year given that he is already on the 40-man roster and they have needed the help. However, it seems as though the Braves wanted to let his adjustments take root and provide some consistency for him. After giving up a total of two earned runs (six runs total....welcome to MiLB defense) over his last three starts, Waldrep seems well on his way to another chance.
Michael Harris II needs to either keep up this latest hot streak or go back to the minors to get back to basics
Much has been made of Michael Harris II's brutal 2025 season thus far and that is completely fair. Harris went from a potential All-Star candidate to one of the worst qualified hitters in baseball this season. While he has looked better over his last eight games or so with some hard contact along the way, the Braves need to be open to sending Harris down to Triple-A if he regresses again.
Recent surge aside, Harris has shown a severe vulnerability to offspeed stuff on the outside part of the plate and breaking balls have induced a lot of swing and miss out of him as well. That on top of a complete unwillingness to draw walks are all suggestive of pitch recognition and approach issues that may be best remedied down in the minors than against major league pitchers.