Could prospect Blake Burkhalter make the jump to Atlanta this season?

There’s not just one explanation for the Braves problems so far this season. At times it has been the offense, other times it’s been starting pitching struggles (such as the slow start by veteran Chris Sale). But one thing that’s mostly remained pretty constant for Atlanta in 2025 is inconsistency in the late-innings.

Entering Wednesday’s series finale against the Cardinals, Braves relievers ranked near the bottom in the majors across a plethora of relevant stats. WAR is a terrible metric to quantify relief pitching, especially this early in the season, but it’s still rather impressive (in a bad way of course) just how bad Atlanta’s bullpen has been, managing -0.5 WAR collectively so far in 2025.

Braves Reliever Ranks Among MLB

WAR – 28^th (-0.5)

ERA – 24^th (4.59)

FIP – 23^rd (4.36)

BB/9 – 20^th (4.26)

HR/FB – 25^th (12.9%)

Losses – 4^th most (6)

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Of course it’s still super early. It’ll take some time — and more cycling of pitchers I’m sure — to determine which guys are consistent and solid options in the bullpen. But perhaps in the near future one of those options could be a prospect that’s currently giving minor league hitters fits.

There’s been some talk on the internet recently about Braves prospect Blake Burkhalter, the organization’s no. 14 prospect according to FanGraphs most-recent prospect list. Burkhalter was the Braves Free Agent Compensation Round B pick in the 2022 MLB Draft (in exchange for Freddie Freeman entering free agency), and so far in 2025, he’s been nearly unhittable in Double-A Columbus, currently holding a 1.62 ERA / 2.09 FIP and 20 strikeouts in 16.2 innings (3 starts).

And it’s not as if Burkhalter is simply just catching some fire to begin the year. This is a guy that, following TJ surgery and missing the entire 2023 season, posted impressive numbers in 2024. In 72 innings (16 starts) last year, spanning both rookie ball and High-A Rome, Burkhalter pitched to a 3.00 ERA / 3.02 FIP while striking out 69 and walking 18.

What sticks out, at least so far, is that Burkhalter has increased his strikeout rate from a season ago, despite now facing more competitive hitters at the Double-A level. In 2024, he was doing fine in that department at 8.63 K/9. But so far this season, he’s at 10.8 K/9. That’s quite the jump in K rate, and for a pitcher not too far removed from a major surgery, it’s certainly a promising sign.

When Blake Burkhalter was drafted, the consensus among experts was that he’d likely be developed into a reliever. But the Braves evidently saw enough to go the starter route, and they’ve stuck with that plan it seems as essentially every appearance Burkhalter has made as a pro has been as a starting pitcher.

However, we’ve seen the Braves utilize potential future starters out of the major league bullpen before. In my opinion, for certain guys, it can be good for their development, as it’s a way to give them a taste of the big leagues. And oftentimes, these initial relief appearances can come in a more controlled environment, perhaps low-leverage situations at first, followed by higher leverage ones as the pitcher gets his feet under him.

Regardless, such a jump would be pretty impressive for Burkhalter. Though it’s obviously been done before (going from Double-A to the majors in the same season), it’s usually more heralded prospects that are rising so fast. But with how terrible the Braves have started 2025, this isn’t really a time to be conservative. If it’s obvious the big league bullpen is costing the team wins, why not cycle in a guy that can make an impact?

Maybe right now is too soon. But if Burkhalter is still dominating after a few more outings, I don’t see any harm in giving him a shot and bringing him up to the big league bullpen. Ideally, the Braves current stable of relief arms can get it figured out and this all becomes moot. But if anything else, I think Blake Burkhalter is still a guy to keep an eye on going forward.

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