The Atlanta Braves may not be in playoff contention anymore but there are a few former players who still have a shot at making their way to the World Series. It's always bittersweet to see players succeed with their new teams but it can make you want to root for them even still.
Here are the former Braves still playing in the 2024 MLB Playoffs
- Kolby Allard (Phillies)
- Freddy Tarnok (Phillies)
- Nick Ahmed (Padres)
- Evan Phillips (Dodgers)
- Kyle Wright (Royals)
- Drew Waters (Royals)
- Justyn-Henry Malloy (Tigers)
- Will Smith (Royals)
- Freddie Freeman (Dodgers)
Now, most of these former Braves players won't make the roster for the division series but they are all on the 40-man roster for their respective teams. Kyle Wright, for example, is still on the 60-day IL recovering from shoulder surgery.
However, you never know what teams will decide to do with their playoff rosters. We see a few names listed that will be on their teams' roster.
Freddie Freeman and Evan Phillips are core pieces for the Los Angeles Dodgers so they will be on the Dodgers roster for the NLDS against the Padres. Freeman is battling through an ankle sprain that he described as the most painful injury he's tried to play through.
Typically that is a four to six-week IL stint for most players but he's a huge part of LA's offense so he's going to play through the pain. As most Braves fans know, that didn't go very well when he tried to play through bone spurs in his elbow during the 2019 NLDS.
Evan Phillips is a former Braves prospect who has become one of baseball's best relievers. Phillips was 5-1 in 2024 with a 3.62 ERA through 54.2 innings including 17 walks and 63 strikeouts. He's appeared in seven postseason games with 8.2 innings under his belt with four walks and 15 strikeouts.
Nick Ahmed is another former Atlanta prospect who is with the Padres now. He was on the Wild Card roster as San Diego faced the Braves. He is a bench piece for them so he won't see a lot of playing time but should be on the NLDS roster to face off with Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers.
Lastly, we have Will Smith who is part of the Royals bullpen this year. Smith has won three consecutive World Series titles with three different teams. He won it all with the Braves in 2021, the Astros in 2022, and the Rangers in 2023. Kansas City has to feel pretty good about their chances should he make the roster.
He was left off the Wild Card roster for KC as his season has not been good at all. Smith's ERA was 6.53 in 2024 with 15 walks and 29 strikeouts. He also was placed on the injured list at the end of August with back spasms. There's a chance he could be left off of the ALDS roster due to health as well as performance. However, his saving grace is that he has postseason experience with a career 2.91 ERA in the playoffs.
Not seeing the Braves in the playoffs is tough but at least fans have the option of rooting for their former players. Having that connection can make things a bit more fun.