Braves fans, here’s something to chew on: the Atlanta Braves just dipped into the Rule 5 Draft pool and came up with two intriguing names — right-hander Anderson Pilar and infielder Christian Cairo. I know that Rule 5 Draft picks don’t always set off fireworks, but the Braves seem to be playing chess here, not checkers. And with some holes to fill, these picks might just turn into solid under-the-radar moves. Let’s break it down.
Anderson Pilar: A Potential Bullpen Solution
First up, Anderson Pilar. The 26-year-old righty spent his 2024 season climbing the Marlins’ minor-league ladder — High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A — and he left a pretty good impression. We’re talking a combined 2.64 ERA over 37 appearances with a tidy 1.101 WHIP. He fanned 71 batters and only gave up 13 walks. That’s efficiency right there.
With bullpen gaps looming — Joe Jimenez likely shelved for the 2025 season and AJ Minter possibly donning a different jersey — Pilar could be exactly the kind of versatile arm the Braves need to shore up relief pitching. Plus, with the Braves’ recent signings of Connor Gillispie and minor-league deals for Ray Kerr and Royber Salinas, it seems like Atlanta’s throwing as many arms at the problem as possible to see who sticks. Smart move? Definitely.
Christian Cairo: A Gritty Infield Competitor
And then we’ve got Christian Cairo. At just 23, this kid’s got potential. He bounced between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus last season, slashing .241/.354/.326 over 341 at-bats. Those numbers aren’t knocking anyone over, but dig a little deeper. Cairo scored 48 runs, drove in 39 RBIs, swiped 26 bases, and drew a respectable 59 walks in 108 games. He’s showing patience, speed, and some gritty infield energy.
Drafted by Cleveland in the fourth round back in 2019, Cairo will get his shot to battle for a bench spot this spring. He’ll be competing with recent Braves pickup Nick Allen, a solid shortstop who arrived earlier this offseason. Add in the minor-league signing of José Devers — yes, that Devers, cousin to Red Sox star Rafael Devers — and the team’s infield competition is heating up.
The Braves’ Smart Depth Strategy
Depth is everything in baseball, especially when you’re gunning for postseason glory. The Braves are making sure they’re not caught flat-footed. Whether it’s bullpen arms like Pilar or versatile infielders like Cairo, Atlanta is clearly building insurance policies for the long haul.
While these Rule 5 Draft moves might seem minor now, keep an eye on these guys during spring training. With some solid performances, Pilar could eat up critical bullpen innings, and Cairo might just sneak his way onto that bench roster.
The Braves are playing it smart — filling holes now to avoid bigger headaches later. Got to love a team that thinks a few moves ahead.
