The Atlanta Braves' attempts to find answers for the rotation and bullpen have been well-covered. There has been an endless stream of struggling arms landing on Atlanta's roster in hopes of finding a short-term answer to help limp through the final month of the 2025 season.
However, this approach hasn't been limited to pitchers as of late, with Atlanta bringing in veterans Ha-Seong Kim and Jake Fraley. Kim is an attempt to find more offensive production in the middle infield, while Fraley looks to provide outfield depth.
Fraley has taken advantage of the change of scenery, hitting .385 in limited at-bats since joining Atlanta's roster. It is a hot start that the Braves are in no position to ignore. Fraley deserves consistent at-bats down the stretch of the season's final weeks, not only based on performance but due to the current roster's underwhelming lack of options.
Braves Outfielder Jake Fraley Has Earned Longer Look After Early Surge
The biggest factor in why Fraley deserves more chances in the next weeks is due to how veterans are performing.
Sean Murphy has been the league's worst hitter throughout the last month, while Marcell Ozuna's numbers continue to slide in the wrong direction. Two of the most important sluggers on the roster have proved themselves unreliable. It leaves Atlanta little choice but to look in Fraley's direction and hope the hot start continues.
Fraley is a career .248 hitter who has provided up-and-down numbers throughout his career. There is reason to believe this hot streak could last through the month, with the veteran overdue after a season full of struggles.
Previously, the outfielder had played with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds before making a defensive blunder that caused the Reds to turn the page.
It wasn't a surprise to see Fraley hit the market after struggling at the plate and providing so little value offensively with the Reds (.232). If the veteran outfielder isn't clicking at the plate, there is so little value in keeping his spot on the roster.
Still, the Braves are in no position to be picky, and Fraley has had an incredible start through his first week with the organization.
Atlanta needs to continue to keep Murphy and Ozuna on the bench, understanding that both players need to be moved on from at the end of the year. This is especially the case for Ozuna, who has often been a source of power and energy but appears to have aged overnight. Braves fans can point to the hip injury that Ozuna has played through, and yet this doesn't provide enough peace of mind to re-sign the veteran.
The Braves need a fresh start in the 2026 offseason; neither Ozuna nor Fraley is likely to be a part of it. Still, the Braves should give the veteran outfielder as many at-bats as possible throughout the next weeks of the season. No reason not to ride with the hot hand even in the middle of what continues to be a disheartening year.