It is time to begin to worry about Braves closer Raisel Iglesias. The veteran closer was supposed to be the one reliable piece of an extremely shaky Atlanta pen. The situation is so dire that the team claimed Ian Anderson off waivers in an attempt to find a long-relief option. If the Braves are going to continue to push their season in the right direction, Iglesias is going to have to quickly figure things out. The closer has a 5.73 allowing seven runs in only 11.0 innings pitched this season. What makes this such a notable concern is how it is happening.
There isn't anything cheap about the hits Iglesias has given up early in the 2025 season. Hitters are squaring up the righty at an alarming rate, driving the ball with consistent authority. It isn't anything close to the level of established production Atlanta is used to seeing from Iglesias. Illustrating this is the fact that the closer has already given up more homers in his first 11.0 innings pitched than he did in the entire 2024 season.
Braves Fans Have Every Reason to Be Concerned About Raisel Iglesias
Closers needing a change of scenery or hitting sudden patches of struggles after seasons of dominance is far from a new concept. For every Craig Kimbrel and Mariano Rivera, there are dozens of closers who have short peaks. There are also many examples of journeyman closers who hit a snag in one landing spot only to be dominant in the next. It is arguably the most mentally taxing position in baseball, with any casual fan understanding the pressure of those final three outs cannot be compared to any other inning.
Is this pressure finally wearing on Iglesias? There aren't any obvious reasons for injury concerns with no noted dips in velocity or obvious changes in mechanics. The ball simply isn't being located at the consistent level of the past three seasons. As alarming as this might be, it isn't as if the Braves have a more reliable option waiting in the wings. Not only is Iglesias Atlanta's highest-paid reliever he is by far the most established.
Unless you believe Craig Kimbrel can turn the clock back half a decade, there isn't anyone in Atlanta's system you can trust with the role. Already, the team is scrambling to find ways to cover the seventh and eighth innings. This is what makes the closer's struggles so concerning. The Braves don't have another answer if Iglesias is indeed letting the role get in his head. A situation to keep a close eye on as the team's recent surge continues.