Here's how the top prospects the Braves traded away have been doing since leaving

Prospects don't always remain with the teams that draft them as Atlanta Braves fans know all too well. Sometimes they are necessary to use in trades to improve the team and give prospects a chance to thrive in a new organization.

Atlanta has used prospects over the last few seasons for impact moves, including Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, and Aaron Bummer. Let's examine some of the prospects who have exited and see how they're doing now.

Here's how the top prospects the Braves traded away have been doing since leaving

Caleb Durbin, INF, Millwaukee Brewers

Durbin was traded from the Braves to the Yankees in 2022 in exchange for reliever Lucas Luetge. He was traded again this offseason as the Yankees acquired lock-down closer Devin Williams and starter Nestor Cortes from the Brewers. During the 2024 season, Durbin slashed .275/.388/.451 with 10 HR, 31 SB, 60 RBI, and an .839 OPS.

Shea Langeliers, C, A's

Langeliers was expected to be the next Braves catcher when he was drafted. However, Atlanta wanted to grab a proven catcher in Sean Murphy which led to Shea being traded to the A's. He struggled during his first two years in the league but 2024 was his best season yet. Shea had the second-most home runs and RBI on the A's roster, with 18 doubles, 29 HR, 80 RBI, and a 109 wRC+. Defensively, he struggled at blocking and framing but excelled at throwing out runners and pop time.

Cristian Pache, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Pache was once expected to be the next big outfield prospect for the Braves. He was compared many times to having the same level of defense as Andruw Jones. Atlanta fans saw his potential but not for long as he was sent to the A's in 2022 as part of the Matt Olson trade. He has since been passed through multiple organizations, including the Phillies, Orioles, and Marlins. After a very poor 2024 season with three teams, Pache elected free agency. He landed with the Diamondbacks on a minor league deal a few days ago.

Ryan Cusick, RHP, A's

Cusick was also sent to the A's for Matt Olson. He began the 2024 season as a starter with a dismal 6.69 ERA over 37.2 innings. However, once the A's moved him to the bullpen, his ERA was 1.73 over 26 innings with a 28.2% strikeout rate. Cusick struggles with issuing walks but it seems the A's have found a nice bullpen piece.

Joey Estes, RHP, A's

Estes is also part of the A's organization and started 127.2 innings for the team in 2024. He earned a 5.01 ERA with 27 walks and 92 strikeouts. The 23-year-old may get another opportunity to start in 2024 alongside new rotation mate Luis Severino.

Kyle Muller, LHP, Chunichi Dragons (NPB)

Muller was traded for Matt Olson and didn't enjoy his time with the A's. The lefty was outrighted at the end of the season and opted for free agency. He ultimately signed with the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB in Japan. Muller is 27 so he still has plenty of time for a return to the majors in the future.

Freddy Tarnok, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Tarnok was also traded for Sean Murphy but has since joined the Phillies in 2024. Tarnok, 25, started the season as the A's 13th-best prospect but on the 15-day IL. He was transferred to the 60-day IL in May but eventually was claimed on waivers by the Phillies in June. Tarnok completed rehab assignments in August and ended the season in Triple-A.

Royber Salinas, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Salinas was traded to the A's in 2022 but returned to the Braves after being claimed off waivers in November. He was non-tendered by the Braves but re-signed to a minor league deal. He amassed a 5.48 ERA in Double-A last year but saw improved results, including a 3.68 ERA in Double-A this year. However, his Triple-A numbers weren't as good. He will be a great depth option for the Braves in 2025.

Justin Yeager, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Yeager was selected by the Braves in the late rounds of the 2019 MLB Draft but was traded to the Brewers in 2022. Yeager is still with the Brewers and spent all of 2024 at Double-A. He had a 3.88 ERA over 51 innings with 19 walks and 56 strikeouts.

William Contreras, C, Milwaukee Brewers

This is the prospect that everyone seems to miss most. Contreras looked like Atlanta's future behind the plate but when the Braves realized Sean Murphy was an option, they jumped on the opportunity to upgrade at the position. Contreras' offense is his strong suit and that was hard to lose but his defense is average at best. Since leaving the Braves after his 2022 All-Star season, Contreras has a .285 average with 19 2B, 40 HR, 170 RBI, 128 wRC+ from 2023 to 2024.

Riley Gowens, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Gowens was one of the pieces in the Aaron Bummer trade last offseason. He spent the season with Chicago's High-A and Double-A affiliates. Gowens pitched 122 innings and earned a 3.84 ERA with 46 walks and 145 strikeouts.

Braden Shewmake, SS, Chicago White Sox

Shewmake never achieved what the Braves hoped he would and his time with the White Sox has been equally underwhelming. He only appeared in 29 games at the MLB level with a .125 average, including one HR, two doubles, four RBI, five SB, one BB, and 11 K.

Jared Shuster, LHP, Chicago White Sox

Shuster appeared in 39 games (four starts) over 73.1 innings with the White Sox. He earned a 4.30 ERA over that time with 33 walks and 56 strikeouts. Chicago hoped he'd fair better for them but the walks were still a major issue for the youngster.

Michael Soroka, RHP, Washington Nationals

Soroka reinvented himself with the White Sox last season. He was awful as a starter with a putrid 6.39 ERA over nine starts. However, when he transitioned to the bullpen that changed immediately with a 2.75 ERA over 36 innings. Soroka had an astonishing 39% K-rate as a reliever which was one of the best rates in baseball. The Washington Nationals decided they'd give the former Atlanta ace a shot as a starter in 2025 with a one-year, $9 million contract.

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