Alright, Braves fans, let’s talk about that ever-growing mound of pitching depth Atlanta is building. The latest addition? According to MLB Trade Rumors, Jordan Weems is a righty who just inked a minor league deal with the club.
But hold up, this isn’t just a low-key signing that’ll slip under the radar—because Weems is coming to major league camp this spring. That’s right, he’s getting a shot to show his stuff and maybe punch his ticket back to the big leagues.
Jordan Weems: High Heat and Untapped Potential
Now, let’s break down what the Braves are getting here. Weems spent the last three seasons in the Washington Nationals bullpen, where his numbers were mixed. A 5.03 ERA across 136 innings and 124 appearances isn’t exactly sparkling, and 2024 wasn’t too kind either, with a 6.70 ERA in just over 41 innings. But stats only tell part of the story, right?
What’s intriguing about Weems is the stuff. We’re talking a fastball that clocks in at an impressive 96.4 mph. He pairs that heat with a slider sitting around 87.7 mph—two pitches that, when he’s on, can really keep hitters guessing.
And just to sprinkle a little mystery into the mix, he’s got a splitter and a curveball that make occasional cameos, according to Baseball Savant. The potential is there; it’s just a matter of harnessing it.
But this isn’t Weems’ first ride on the big-league rollercoaster. He debuted with the Oakland A’s during the wild and weird shortened 2020 season and hung around through the first half of 2021.
Then came a DFA and a brief stop with the Arizona Diamondbacks before Washington scooped him up on a minor league deal. In other words, he’s been around the block and knows what it takes to grind back to a major league roster.
Braves Stockpiling Pitching Depth
So, what’s the bigger picture here for the Braves? Well, it seems like Atlanta is seriously committed to building an arsenal of arms. Weems isn’t the only recent addition.
They grabbed Anderson Pilar from the Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft, signed Connor Gillispie to a one-year non-guaranteed deal, and brought back Ray Kerr and Royber Salinas on minor league contracts. They added righty Wander Suero to the mix, too. That’s a lot of pitching depth; we will see how they all turn out soon.
Braves Position Player Depth
And it’s not just the mound getting attention, Atlanta’s also bolstering their position-player depth. Bryan De La Cruz was brought in on a non-guaranteed contract, and Connor Capel got a minor-league deal. It’s all part of a strategy to ensure they’ve got options heading into the season.
Will Weems make the big league roster? That’s the million-dollar question. He’s got the velocity and the experience. He could become a solid bullpen piece if he can fine-tune his command. At the very least, he’s another weapon in Atlanta’s ever-growing pitching armory.
Spring training is going to be interesting, Braves fans. Keep an eye on Weems and this whole crop of depth signings. You never know who’s going to turn some heads and earn a spot on that 26-man roster.
