ATLANTA
While the 2025 Atlanta Braves are watching October baseball from home, several familiar faces are still very much part of the postseason storylines. For Braves fans, it’s bittersweet — their own playoff hopes have faded, but a few former players are making plenty of noise on baseball’s biggest stage.
Some ex-Braves are thriving under the lights, while others have stumbled when it matters most. Here’s a look at the former Atlanta players making headlines this postseason — for better and worse.
The Standouts
Kevin Gausman — Toronto Blue Jays
Since leaving Atlanta in 2019, Kevin Gausman has transformed into one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball. The veteran right-hander is off to a blistering start in the 2025 playoffs, posting a 1.35 ERA across 6.2 innings of work.
Gausman, who finished the regular season with a 3.59 ERA, 189 strikeouts, and 193 innings pitched, continues to be a model of consistency. As he enters the final year of his five-year, $110 million contract in 2026, Braves fans can’t help but wonder what could have been if the club had held onto him.
“He’s pitched very well since leaving Atlanta,” one NL scout noted. “That kind of durability is hard to replace.”
William Contreras — Milwaukee Brewers
Few players have had a postseason as productive as William Contreras. The former Braves catcher is hitting .300 (6-for-20) with two home runs, three RBIs, and a .983 OPS through his first playoff series.
Contreras has become a fan favorite in Milwaukee — and a key reason the Brewers advanced past the Cubs in the NLDS. While Braves fans miss his energy and clutch bat, his departure ultimately opened the door for Drake Baldwin, Atlanta’s rising catching prospect.
Still, it’s hard not to root for Contreras’ success.
“He’s one of those guys who just loves the moment,” said one former Braves teammate. “He’s got that fire.”
The Struggles
Dansby Swanson — Chicago Cubs
Once a World Series hero for Atlanta, Dansby Swanson has endured another frustrating postseason. The Cubs shortstop hit just .154/.241/.192 over the NLDS, recording 15 strikeouts in 26 plate appearances — one of the highest totals in the playoffs.
For a player known for his poise and leadership, Swanson’s October woes continue to be a puzzling trend. His defense remains elite, but his struggles at the plate have drawn criticism from both fans and analysts.
Max Fried — New York Yankees
In contrast to his excellent regular season with the Yankees, Max Fried faltered badly when the stakes were highest. After a dominant outing in the Wild Card game against Boston, Fried unraveled against Toronto, giving up seven runs in just three innings.
It’s a reminder of Fried’s uneven postseason track record — brilliant in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series run but inconsistent since.
“Fried’s talent is undeniable,” one AL scout said, “but the postseason spotlight hasn’t always been kind to him.”
The Takeaway
For Braves fans, watching October baseball brings mixed emotions — pride in seeing former players succeed elsewhere, and frustration in remembering what once was.
Kevin Gausman and William Contreras are thriving as leaders on contending teams, proving that Atlanta’s farm and development systems remain elite. Meanwhile, Dansby Swanson and Max Fried serve as reminders that postseason greatness is never guaranteed — even for the most talented players.
As the Braves front office plans its next era, one thing remains clear: in baseball, former heroes have a way of resurfacing when you least expect it.
