The Atlanta Braves’ 2025 season saw a massive churn in the bullpen due to injuries, creating an environment where unheralded pitchers had to step up. While many headlines focused on the struggles, a deep dive into the performance of right-hander Michael Petersen reveals a season of breakout moments and sneaky value that could dramatically increase his role in 2026.
The 2025 Season: More Than Just the ERA
Michael Petersen (the main character in this organizational review) spent the first half of the 2025 season bouncing between Triple-A and the Major League club after being acquired from the Angels in April.
| 2025 MLB/Minor League Stats (Combined) | G | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | WHIP |
| MLB (Braves/Marlins) | 15 | 0-0 | 4.00 | 18.0 | 17 | 1.39 |
| Triple-A (Braves/Marlins/Angels) | 33 | 0-1 | 4.46 | 36.1 | 47 | 1.43 |
Xuất sang Trang tính
While his ERA numbers in the Majors (4.00) and minors were respectable but not elite, the underlying metrics reveal why the Braves may be banking on him:
- Elite Velocity: Petersen’s fastball averages 97.5 MPH, placing him well above the 90th percentile for velocity—a trait the Braves covet.
- Whiff Rate: His 34.1% whiff rate in Triple-A and 24.0% whiff rate in the Majors suggest he misses bats at an elite level, indicating higher strikeout potential moving forward.
- Stuff+: Analytics show his overall Stuff+ (a metric evaluating the quality of a pitcher’s stuff) is around 112, which is considered very good and hints at better results to come.
High-Pressure Performances and Sneaky Value
Petersen’s real value lay in his ability to come into difficult spots and secure key outs, despite being a low-leverage arm on paper.
- The Cutter: His cutter (41% usage), which grades out exceptionally well with a 119 Stuff+, is a swing-and-miss weapon that he can utilize against both righties and lefties.
- The Role: He was often used in long relief and multi-inning outings (like two scoreless innings against the Rays in April 2025), which helped preserve an already overworked bullpen during the team’s mid-season injury crisis.
- Organizational Trade: Although the Braves traded him to the Marlins in July, the fact that he was so readily used by two different organizations (Braves and Marlins) in their Major League bullpens speaks to his “sneaky value” as a ready-made, high-velocity arm.
The 2026 Outlook: A Role Quietly Grows Bigger
Despite his mid-season trade, the Braves’ extreme lack of bullpen depth and the current priority on acquiring a closer (like Robert Suarez) means they will be relying heavily on internal options for the middle innings.
Assuming the Braves can re-acquire or find another player with Petersen’s profile—or if the organization realizes the value of a high-velocity, low-cost option—the model for 2026 demands a reliable middle-inning bridge. Petersen’s high-leverage stuff (high velocity, great cutter) makes him a strong candidate for a permanent 6th/7th inning role for whichever team he lands with, proving his 2025 season was a true breakout in ability if not in name recognition.
The Braves are clearly focused on upgrading their bullpen this offseason. Would you like to check the latest news regarding the Braves’ pursuit of closer Robert Suarez to see how that move could impact the rest of the bullpen staff?
