The Atlanta Braves’ season effectively ended a long time ago. After coming into the season with high expectations, the Braves were eliminated from playoff contention on Sept. 17, but many resigned to the fact that there would be no October baseball as the season played out.
As a result, the Braves haven’t given their fans a lot to be excited about, and much of the focus is on the 2026 season. With Atlanta looking for arms to get to the finish line, they made one interesting move, calling up flamethrowing prospect Jhancarlos Lara, who will get his first taste of the major leagues as a disappointing season winds down.
Jhancarlos Lara Can End 2025 on a High Note After Braves Call Up
The No. 21 prospect in the Braves system according to MLB Pipeline, Lara was signed as an international free agent in 2021 and made his way to the United States in 2023. He posted a 4-8 record and 4.09 ERA in 20 appearances (15 starts) between Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome in his first full professional season and followed it up with a 2-4 record with a 3.92 ERA in 15 appearances between Rome and Double-A Mississippi in 2024.
Last year’s performance provided some optimism for a right-hander with a fastball that has averaged 98.5 mph according to FanGraphs this season. But while Lara provides velocity, his control is a question with 65 walks in 68.2 innings between Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett this season.
The control issues and a 7.73 ERA between the two stops don't sound like a player who is worthy of a major league call-up. But the good news is that Lara has done almost everything else well, striking out 104 batters and holding them to a .212 average this season.
This could be an audition for a bullpen that is ravaged by injury down the stretch. Aaron Bummer and Daysbel Hernández are currently members of the bullpen who are on the injured list, and Atlanta has been playing musical chairs with veterans such as John Brebbia and Alexis Diaz just to give themselves arms down the stretch.
Lara has the arm to get him to the major leagues, and giving him a shot in the final week hurts nothing for a Braves team that doesn’t have a lot to play for in the final weeks. If Lara can perform well, it can re-establish the momentum he had coming into this year and potentially make a case for a full-time roster spot sometime during the 2026 season.