The Atlanta Braves only have a handful of games left in the 2025 season and most fans are going to be thankful to put this season in the rearview mirror. Other than the fact that Atlanta having a rough season means that they have a really good chance of getting a top draft pick, this season has few reasons to celebrate and the good times have been few and far between. However, the Braves still have to make it to the end of the season and it looks like the front office is still taking opportunities when they can to get a closer look at pieces that could help in 2026.
The Braves have made a lot of waiver claims over the last month and a half or so and predictably, the success rate hasn't been amazing outside of Ha-Seong Kim which was a unique case. When you shop in the clearance aisle, you have to accept that you are probably not getting top end talent. However, when you are as banged up as Atlanta is, you take the help that you can find.
That continued over the last few days as the Braves added some more depth. First, Atlanta went out and claimed RHP Carson Ragsdale off of waivers from the Orioles on Wednesday. After that, they added infielder Brett Wisely on a waiver claim as well on Thursday.
Braves added Carson Ragsdale and Brett Wisely on waiver claims as 2025 season winds down
Once again, this are not moves that are likely to move the needle much. Ragsdale has mostly been a starter in the minor leagues with a career 4.27 ERA in the minors, but his lone big league appearance was in long relief and it did not go well. As for Wisely, he lost his roster spot with the Giants after San Francisco made the move to call up Bryce Eldridge. Wisely has some positional flexibility as he has experience at multiple infield positions as well as the outfield, but he has shown little at the plate across three seasons of part-time work in the majors.
Given how little time is left in the season, many are probably wondering why Atlanta is even bothering making waiver claims at this point. However, the odds are good that the Braves are going to be looking to rest guys over the next couple of weeks and that means there is a need for warm bodies that Atlanta just doesn't have right now. Between that and probably wanting to kick the tires on some potential MiLB signings going into the offseason, these moves probably don't mean more than just end of season roster housekeeping.