The feel good story of the second half for the Atlanta Braves has been the re-emergence of the offense with key players turning their season around. On the flip side of that would have to be the laundry list of pitchers Atlanta has been forced to cycle through in the second half. Through no fault of their own (well besides not getting more quality depth in the offseason), the rotation has crumbled due to injuries throughout and the bullpen is a shadow of what it once was.
Since late July, the Braves have been one of the more active teams on the waiver wire, grabbing any pitcher with a pulse and the ability to eat innings as the team limps to the 2025 finish line. The results have been pretty much exactly what you would expect with the plethora of journeymen taking the mound on a nightly basis. In the second half of the season, the Braves have the third worst ERA (5.82) in baseball, and that was before they gave up 19 runs to the Phillies on Thursday night. Here are some of the worst pitchers we've seen pitch for the Braves this season.
The list of failed Braves' bargain bin pitching acquisition is getting comically long
Hector Neris
The very first truly bad pitcher to take the mound for the Braves in 2025 was veteran reliever Hector Neris. Oddly enough, he was used in a high leverage moment on Opening Day for reasons we are still trying to figure out. Neris lasted just two appearances with the Braves before getting the boot and bouncing around to a couple of AL West teams. Overall, he's posted a 6.75 ERA and -0.8 bWAR in just over 25 innings of work this season.
Erick Fedde
After a great 2024 season between the White Sox and Cardinals, Erick Fedde took a major step back in 2025. His inability to strike out hitters became even more problematic when he started to surrender a ton of hard contact. Fedde was traded to Atlanta in late July, and the results were quite terrible. His 8.10 ERA and 5.48 FIP got Fedde swiftly released recently and no one argued with that choice.
Jose Ruiz
The former Phillies reliever came to Atlanta in mid June and lasted just two relief outings with the Braves. Giving up three runs and not being able to throw strikes against the 2025 Colorado Rockies will get you run out of town pretty fast as it turns out.
Carlos Carrasco
In an alternate universe, "Cookie" Carrasco is never needed to throw a baseball at age 38 for that 2025 Braves. Sadly, we don't live in that alternate universe and instead were forced to watch the ghost of Carrasco start three games for the Braves. Carrasco would give up 22 hits and 15 earned runs in those three starts with Atlanta, thus proving he is pitching past his sell-by date.
Bryce Elder
Okay, including Bryce Elder on this list is probably a bit harsh. Elder has given the Braves needed innings and pitched well (at times) this season. However, the overall body of his work is less than favorable. Elder's 6.12 ERA and -1.4 bWAR makes you wonder how we got to a world where the Braves needed him to make 22 starts...and counting.
Scott Blewett
The tall 29 year-old RHP was good until he wasn't. Blewett somehow turned into Mariano Rivera a couple of times for the Braves in extra innings, but his inability to keep the ball in the ballpark was his eventual undoing. Blewett's last appearance for the team was the absolute meltdown against the Diamondbacks where the Braves BLEW a 10-4 lead in the ninth inning (sorry, I couldn't help myself).
Craig Kimbrel
This one is just sad, but it is hard to ignore that Kimbrel's days as a big league pitcher are winding down and Braves fans had a front row seat. Kimbrel famously lasted just one appearance before Atlanta sent him packing and while Braves could have absolutely given him a more graceful exit, he just doesn't have real stuff anymore. He is still trying to hang on with the Astros at the moment and we are rooting for him, but don't hold your breath for a career resurgence.
Cal Quantrill
Not really much to say here, just go watch the Phillies first inning from Thursday night. Hopefully, fans aren't subjected to many more Cal Quantrill starts in 2025.