Spring training games kick off this weekend and the Atlanta Braves will finally get the chance to evaluate their potential 2025 roster. There aren't a lot of questions surrounding the offense or the starting staff.
However, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the bullpen. Atlanta lost a couple of key arms with the loss of A.J. Minter to the Mets and Joe Jimenez's injury. They have built a ton of depth this offseason, creating a battle for the remaining bullpen spots.
There are a lot of unfamiliar names competing for a shot at the Opening Day roster. We will break this battle down into three categories: pitchers who are a lock, those most likely to win a spot, and the question marks.
First, let's take a look at our locks for the bullpen. Aaron Bummer, Pierce Johnson, Dylan Lee, and Raisel Iglesias are going to be the core of Atlanta's relievers in 2025. All four arms are of high quality and provide the Braves with great options.
However, they can't pitch every game, so a few players will need to step up and fill the remainder of the bullpen spots. Spring training will decide the final order but we will examine three names most likely to fill those slots.
Welcome to The Show, Daysbel Hernandez!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/AcBU96syaS
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 23, 2023
Braves' final bullpen spots appears to be a wide open competition
The names to watch for the Braves' bullpen are Daysbel Hernandez, Angel Perdomo, and Anderson Pilar. The Braves are very high on Hernandez and really think he has a chance to be a high-leverage reliever. He spent most of 2024 at Triple-A and pitched well over 41.2 innings with a 2.59 ERA. However, he did appear in 18 MLB innings last season with a 2.50 ERA, 10 BB, and 26 K. Hernandez is a prime candidate to replace the void left by Joe Jimenez.
Perdomo and Pilar aren't household names but they will likely be on the Opening Day roster. Perdomo is out of options but he has the potential to be great this season. He is returning from Tommy John surgery and has been impressing Braves staff in North Port. At 6'8", the southpaw reliever is imposing on the mound with big-time strikeout stuff. If he's able to throw strikes and miss bats, it's hard to imagine he isn't in the bullpen.
Pilar was a Rule 5 Draft pick which means he can't be optioned without being sent through waivers. Atlanta will most definitely have him in the bullpen on Opening Day unless he just falls flat on his face in spring training. He has a mid-90s fastball that cuts and pairs that with a great slider. Pilar impressed in Miami's minor league system in 2024 with a 2.64 ERA, 13 walks, and 71 strikeouts.
That leaves one possible remaining spot in the bullpen with at least a dozen options to choose from. Buck Farmer, Jake Diekman, Chad Kuhl, Jordan Weems, and Chasen Shreve all have plenty of MLB experience which gives them a leg up on the rest of the pack. The remaining options for the bullpen include Dylan Covey, Davis Daniel, Domingo Gonzalez, Amos Willingham, and Brian Moran.
The Braves could also relegate one of Grant Holmes/Ian Anderson to the bullpen if they are no longer needed in the starting rotation. So, while the Braves haven't signed impact arms this offseason, they added a lot of quantity to ensure they have options in 2025.