Every now and then, baseball serves up a full-circle moment—and for Jaylen Paden, that moment came Tuesday when he signed with the Atlanta Braves, the hometown team he grew up watching.
Fresh off a standout season at Georgia Tech, Paden didn’t hear his name called in the 2025 MLB Draft, but that didn’t stop the Braves from grabbing him as a free agent signee—keeping the Atlanta native right where his journey started. In a sport built on patience and perseverance, this is one of those stories that just makes sense.
Paden’s 2025 campaign was quietly one of the most important on the Yellow Jackets’ staff. Coming off Tommy John surgery, he didn’t just work his way back—he dominated. The 6-foot right-hander posted a 5–1 record, a 2.91 ERA, and struck out 51 batters in just over 43 innings. He bounced between roles, logging five starts and 10 relief appearances, and even notched two saves, showcasing exactly the kind of versatility that MLB teams crave.
Command Needs Some Work Still
He did issue 25 walks, so the command remains a work in progress, but those numbers—10.6 strikeouts per nine innings and just 6.6 hits allowed per nine—pop off the page, especially for a guy coming back from a major arm procedure. His fastball had life, the slider was working, and the durability shone down the stretch.
When Georgia Tech needed him most, Paden delivered: he pitched 6.0 no-hit innings against No. 20 Louisville in his final home start, helping give long-time head coach Danny Hall a victory in his final home game before retirement. He also closed out an ACC regular season title with a four-inning save against Duke. Not bad for a guy still regaining form.
Local Player Signs With the Braves
Now, he joins a Braves organization that just signed all 21 of its 2025 draft picks and is actively retooling the pitching pipeline. Paden may not be a top-tier prospect just yet, but his track record of overcoming adversity, plus that strikeout potential, make him a sneaky-good addition to the farm system.
There’s just something about seeing a local guy put on that Braves cap. The story’s just beginning for Paden, but the fact that it starts at home? That’s the kind of baseball poetry fans love to root for.
