The 2025 Atlanta Braves season was a rollercoaster, and injuries were a major factor. A staggering 17 players missed significant time, costing the team roughly $47 million and a combined 1,169 days of play. This placed them as the eighth-highest in MLB for injury-related costs. This injury crisis particularly impacted the pitching staff, leading to unexpected opportunities for players who weren’t initially part of the Braves’ plans, including Hunter Stratton. Let’s dive into his performance.
How He Got Here:
Hunter Stratton’s journey to the major leagues wasn’t a sprint; it was a marathon. Drafted in the 16th round back in 2017, he spent what felt like an eternity in the minor leagues, including three seasons at Triple-A. He finally made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023.
He pitched in 44 relief appearances for the Pirates from 2023-2024. However, after a couple of tough outings and another stint in Triple-A, the Pirates released him on June 26. The Braves saw potential and picked him up on July 1, trading minor league outfielder Titus Dumitru and some cash.
What Were the Expectations?
Realistically, expectations for Stratton were pretty low. The Braves didn’t give up much to acquire him. However, his previous MLB stats were decent. Before 2025, he had pitched 49 2/3 innings in relief with a 77 ERA-, 87 FIP-, and 96 xFIP-. In 2024, his 0.7 fWAR made him the Pirates’ third-best reliever. His minor league performance wasn’t overly impressive, making him seem like a generic reliever who could fill a role. If he could replicate his 2024 performance, the Braves might have found a bargain.
2025 Results: Did He Deliver?
Unfortunately, Stratton didn’t become the bargain the Braves hoped for. He was called up to the Braves five times during the season, pitching 16 1/3 innings across 12 appearances. His walk rate increased, and combined with two rough outings earlier in the year, he ended up with a -0.1 fWAR and a 122/124/128 line. His time in Triple-A was also just okay, which isn’t ideal for a player in his fifth season at that level.
What Went Right?
Stratton had moments of success. His ERA was about 50% better than the league average, despite a slightly worse-than-average FIP. From July 25 to August 27, he had a streak of four consecutive outings where he didn’t allow a run, with a 6/2 K/BB ratio in 8 1/3 innings.
He also played a crucial role in a 9-4 win against the Nationals on September 17. With a one-run lead, he entered the game, got the tying and go-ahead runs on base, got Dylan Crews to hit into a tag play at home, and struck out Riley Adams to end the inning.
What Went Wrong?
Here’s where it gets controversial… Stratton’s time with the Pirates, which led to his release despite his solid 2024 performance, set him back. He also faced challenges with the Braves. On September 20, he was asked to protect a one-run lead and gave up a game-tying home run. Oops.
2026 Outlook:
Hunter Stratton is still in the pre-arbitration phase of his career, and the Braves have full control over him. If they keep him on the 40-man roster, they’ll only need to pay him the league minimum. He also has two minor league options remaining. It seems likely he will stay with the Braves, as they chose not to exercise options for other pitchers.
Stratton is projected to be around replacement level, and he’s probably best suited as a seventh or eighth guy in the bullpen. His pitches have good shape, but his command is an issue. This limits his walks but also reduces his strikeout potential, making him vulnerable when he misses his spots. He’ll need to improve his command to secure a more permanent role.
What do you think? Do you believe Stratton can improve his command and become a reliable bullpen piece? Share your thoughts in the comments below!