The Braves aren’t just looking for arms, they’re reaching for the sky. Quite literally. In a week when other teams were trimming rosters and making tough calls, the Braves opened the door for two towering pitchers, Carson Ragsdale and Josh Walker, who both became available thanks to the Baltimore Orioles’ roster crunch. And with heights of 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-6, respectively, these two standouts bring more than just wingspans to the bullpen.
Two Tall Claims, One Familiar Face
The timing makes sense. The Braves’ 2025 season has been defined by one thing: attrition. Injuries thinned out their pitching depth to the brink, leaving Atlanta’s front office in constant scramble mode. Now, with room on the 40-man roster and a long offseason ahead, the Braves have taken low-risk fliers on two arms that, at least on paper, come with untapped upside and the kind of physicality that pitching coaches dream about.
Ragsdale, 27, is something of a boomerang for Atlanta. Just two months ago, he was claimed by the Braves from the Orioles, only to be designated for assignment shortly after and reclaimed by Baltimore. His big-league sample is painfully small, five innings, eight earned runs, but what’s notable is that the Braves didn’t hesitate to scoop him back up the moment he became available again. That speaks to something, whether it’s his raw stuff, minor league peripherals, or a belief in the development staff’s ability to mold him, Atlanta clearly sees a project worth revisiting.
Walker Adds Experience, If Not Consistency
Then there’s Josh Walker, the better-traveled of the two, but not necessarily the more accomplished. A 31-year-old journeyman left-hander, Walker has bounced through three organizations in half a year, with a 6.59 career ERA marking his stops in New York and Toronto. But lefties always get more chances than most, and the Braves might be banking on a simple premise: with the right role, the right matchup environment, and a reset in a new system, he can contribute meaningful innings.
The Braves Depth Now, Results Later
It’s not flashy. These aren’t headline acquisitions or blockbuster additions. But baseball is built on depth, and this time of year is when smart teams do their homework. With 23 pitchers now on the 40-man roster and more decisions ahead, Atlanta’s front office continues to stack options, hoping that at least one of these long-levered longshots turns into something more than just a big frame in a bullpen hoodie.
