The Atlanta Braves are aiming to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2024 season by bolstering their roster depth. Despite dealing with numerous setbacks, the team’s bullpen remained one of the best in Major League Baseball, finishing with a 3.32 ERA, ranking third overall. Additionally, their 3.41 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) was the second-best mark in the league.

Given the unpredictability of injuries, adding experienced depth pieces is always a smart move. Atlanta has done just that, bringing in three new players on minor-league deals with non-roster invitations to spring training. According to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves have added right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl, left-handed reliever Jake Diekman, and right-handed reliever Dylan Covey to their roster.

Among the trio, Kuhl is primarily a starting pitcher, while Diekman and Covey specialize in relief roles. Diekman stands out as the only left-handed pitcher of the group. According to Roster Resource on FanGraphs, the Braves are expected to start the season with four left-handers in their bullpen. This setup could provide Diekman with ample opportunities to earn a spot, provided he performs well.

Diekman, now 38, has a wealth of experience, having been part of multiple franchises throughout his career. He originally joined the Oakland Athletics’ bullpen in 2019 following a trade with the Kansas City Royals. That offseason, he secured a two-year contract and went on to deliver an outstanding performance in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. That year, Diekman posted an incredible 0.42 ERA (with a 2.72 FIP), largely thanks to learning a new slider grip from Pitching Ninja’s online breakdown of Chaz Roe’s pitch. However, it’s important to note that his success came over a limited sample size of just 21.1 innings.

His follow-up season in 2021 was solid but not as dominant, as he registered a 3.86 ERA with a 4.46 FIP across 60.2 innings. Over the next two years, Diekman played for multiple teams. He initially signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox in 2022 before being traded midseason to the Chicago White Sox. He remained with the White Sox into the 2023 season but struggled, posting a 7.94 ERA to start the year. This led to his release, after which the Tampa Bay Rays took a chance on him. Diekman turned things around in Tampa Bay, delivering a 2.18 ERA over 45.1 innings to close out the season.

In 2024, Diekman joined the New York Mets, where he pitched 32 innings but struggled, finishing with a 5.63 ERA and a 6.14 FIP. Despite those rough numbers, his signature slider—or sweeper—remained effective, holding opponents to a .107 batting average with an expected batting average of .169. He relied on that pitch 28.9% of the time while primarily throwing his four-seam fastball at a 61.2% usage rate.

One of Diekman’s key attributes is his velocity. Even at 38 years old, he remains a hard thrower, with his fastball averaging 94.6 miles per hour, placing him in the 58th percentile among major league pitchers. However, his primary issue in 2024 was his control. His walk rate spiked to 16.6%, one of the highest in the league. While he has never been known for elite command, his effectiveness declines sharply when his walk rate climbs that high. Without better control, his ability to contribute out of the bullpen diminishes.

The Braves will monitor which version of Jake Diekman arrives at camp. If he can refine his command and recapture some of his past effectiveness, he could prove to be a valuable addition to Atlanta’s bullpen. His experience, velocity, and strong breaking pitch could make him an underrated signing with potential upside for the club.