The 2025 season has been an odd year for the Atlanta Braves, including a few players in particular. Michael Harris II was statistically the worst hitter in baseball the entire first half, and over the past month he looks like prime Barry Bonds at the plate. Hurston Waldrep looked to be a prospect that was surpassed by numerous other arms in the system, but he's pitching like a true big league starter this past month.
Nick Allen is eyeing a Gold Glove for his stellar defense at shortstop, but at the same time he's staring down a piece of Braves' history he would rather avoid. Even with all of these examples, one player is perhaps more polarizing than any other amongst Braves country. One Aaron Bummer is the individual in question, as his elite ability to avoid barrels, odd usage, and disappointing results with inherited runners all play into what makes Bummer so polarizing.
This season was so dire at one point, Bummer was actually the starting pitcher for TWO games for the first time in his nine-year career. All in all the results have been a mixed bag for Bummer. However, the Braves need more consistency from Bummer considering Atlanta is tied to him for $9.5 million in 2026 thanks to the need to save money this past offseason when they reconstructed his contract.
This significant financial commitment for 2026 makes Bummer fixing the one major flaw in his arsenal right now very, very important. What flaw? Figuring out how to make his fastball an effective weapon once again.
Aaron Bummer has to rediscover his fastball or the Braves may need a new lefty in their bullpen
Despite what many fans will tell you, Aaron Bummer was really good in 2024. His 2.23 FIP in 2024 indicated that some unlucky batted ball stuff could even out in a positive direction in 2025. Unfortunately, while the bad breaks for Bummer have dipped the overall stuff he is pitching with now isn't what it once was.
Last season, Bummer struck out 69 hitters in just over 55 innings. This season Bummer has struck out just 51 batters in 53 innings of work thus far. A big reason for this is the regression of Bummer's fastball. Bummer has lost TWO mph on both his four-seam fastball (93.6 mph in 2024) and his sinker (93.1 mph in 2024) this season. Because Bummer's four-seamer is averaging just 91.6 mph on his four-seamer in 2025, hitters are teeing off on that pitch to the tune of a .722 slugging percentage. For comparison, Bummer's four-seamer surrendered just a .231 slugging percentage last year.
Rediscovering velocity as Bummer is set to enter the offseason at age 32 will be no easy task. In fact, it could prove to be impossible. If that is the case, the Braves bullpen could be in a world of trouble next year because Bummer is set to get paid like a middle/high leverage option. At that point, the Braves better hope the Joey Wentz turnaround is real or they can find another diamond in the rough.