Bryce Elder did yeoman’s work for the Atlanta Braves in 2025, throwing 156+ innings in 28 starts for a pitching staff decimated by injury and had one outstanding start; that’s the good news. The rest of the story from 2026 includes an 8.10 ERA over 43.1 IP in nine starts from June 1 through July 31, when he giving up a homer a game.
MLB pitchers need an out pitch and Bryce Elder simply does not have one
According to Statcast, Elder's only pitch with a positive run value is his slider at +1. His sinker sits at -7, his four-seam fastball at 0, and his change at -8. Last season, the velocity of both fastballs ticked up about one mph, but remained below league average overall.
Move him to the bullpen, or just move him altogether?
Elder’s 19% K-Rate confirms he isn’t a strikeout pitcher and that certainly tracks if you have watched him pitch. If you aren’t striking batters out, you need to generate a lot of ground balls, and he’s at least done that, as his 48% GB rate puts him in the 79th percentile league-wide. Last season, Elder posted a 5.30 ERA that ranks 59th of 71 pitchers with 100 IP, and his 117.6 mph average exit velocity is 65th.
Elder is also out of minor league options, so the team has to keep him on the active roster and use him in middle relief if they don't want to risk losing him. If that isn’t successful, they may try to sneak him through waivers and hope no one wants to pay the $55K price for making a waiver claim.
That’s a Wrap
Giving Elder his due, it takes a lot of work and dedication to do what he’s done for the club. Unfortunately, his ceiling is as a fifth or sixth starter for a rebuilding team or in middle relief.
I expected the Braves to try to move him, but nothing’s been rumored. Maybe they tried and didn’t find anyone interested; the Braves wouldn’t get more than a lottery ticket for him, so maybe they’ll keep him and see what happens, but don’t be surprised if he’s not on the team at the All-Star Break.