Projecting the Atlanta Braves 2025 Starting Rotation

A lot of talk this offseason isn't just about the Atlanta Braves rotation in 2024, but what it will look like beyond next season if Max Fried leaves in free agency.

A lot of talk this offseason isn't just about the Atlanta Braves rotation in 2024, but what it will look like beyond next season if Max Fried leaves in free agency. 

(And Max Fried seems likely to test free agency, which historically means he likely won't be staying in Atlanta.) 

Charlie Morton figures to be done after 2024 as well -- meaning the Braves could be losing two of their top starters after next season. 

There is a very real chance that the Braves enter 2025 with Spencer Strider at the top and a lot of question marks behind him. 

That's why there has been talk about the Braves being willing to spend big on starting pitching this offseason -- not just for 2024, but to help replace some of the top-of-the-rotation talent they could be losing. 

But let's assume no moves are made. What would a potential 2025 rotation look like for the Braves? 

Braves 2025 Projected Starting Rotation

1. Spencer Strider

2. Kyle Wright

3. Bryce Elder

4. Ian Anderson

5. Darius Vines

There is not a lot of comfort in that list with Wright and Anderson both coming back from major injuries, while Elder and Vines figure to be back of the rotation starters. 

There are some other options for those spots like Dylan Dodd, Jared Shuster, and Allan Winans but none of them make you feel much better. 

There are a handful of prospects you could dream about being ready in 2025 that might make you feel a little better. 

Braves 2025 Projected Starting Rotation with Prospects

1. Strider

2. Wright

3. AJ Smith-Shawver

4. Hurston Waldrep

5. Spencer Schwellenbach 

AJSS is already on the 40-man roster but needs more development at the higher levels in 2024. There is still a solid chance he could enter the rotation to stay in 2025. The same could said for Waldrep, who reached Triple-A after being drafted in 2023 and could be knocking on the door in 2024 (with 2025 being a realistic timeline). 

Schwellenbach is the wild card here, as he's 23 but has yet to pitch above High-A because of injury. The stuff is rather loud and he's coming off a great 2023 that saw him pitch in the Futures Game. 

If all three of those prospects hit and turn into what some think, then suddenly that looks like a pretty solid rotation in 2025. 

But that's a big ask, and history tells us -- especially with pitching prospects -- that they won't all transition to the bigs as we hope. 

The Braves have other promising arms in the system like Jhancarlos Lara, Owen Murphy, Lucas Braun, Drue Hackenberg, and Cade Kuehler that could all be ready by 2025 or soon after. 

And there are some other high-upside arms currently injured or coming back from injury like JR Ritchie, Adam Maier, and Cole Phillips. 

The Braves have done a nice job of acquiring and developing pitchers, but that's a huge ask to get those arms up in time to help a team built to win a World Series now on the position player side. 

Whether it's through trades or free agent signings, the Braves will be aggressive this offseason in finding that top-of-the-rotation arm to pair with Strider for the next several years with all of the question marks on the pitching side of things in the organization. 

Important Braves Today Offseason Stories
2023 MLB Free Agent Rankings
Current Atlanta Braves prospect rankings
Current Atlanta Braves 40-man roster
Key offseason dates for the Atlanta Braves
Projecting the 2024 Atlanta Braves' arbitration salaries

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