In just over a week, we will find out who will be in attendance when the Atlanta Braves host the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park. While stars from across the country will be displaying their talents on July 15, there will also be several hometown Braves that will be vying for a spot on the National League’s roster.
For some Braves, a trip to the All-Star Game has become an annual tradition. For others, it’s the crowning achievement of their career. For one former player who used to call Atlanta home, it was the beginning of a promising career that may now be on life support after he was kicked to the curb by his new team.
Jason Heyward’s Career is on the Ropes After Release By Padres
The Padres announced on Saturday that they designated former Braves outfielder Jason Heyward for assignment. The move was made to add right-hander Bryan Hoeing to the 40-man roster, putting the 35-year-old Heyward at a career crossroads.
Jason Heyward has been designated for assignment by the Padres pic.twitter.com/1I86UuWLkm
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 21, 2025
Heyward was once a super prospect in the Braves organization, ranking as the No. 1 prospect according to Baseball America’s ranking and the No. 2 prospect according to Baseball Prospectus. His debut in 2010 was a massive deal, and he lived up to the hype, hitting .277/.393/.456 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI, and 11 stolen bases on the way to his first All-Star appearance.
But finishing runner-up in the National League Rookie of the Year Award to Buster Posey turned out to be a high-water mark for Heyward. While he had a couple of strong seasons, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 and spent the next seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs.
After a 2023 detour with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Heyward spent last season with the Dodgers and Houston Astros and latched on with the Padres as a depth outfielder.
While injuries have played a role in his decline, he also hasn’t produced when on the field, hitting .176/.223/.271 with two homers and 12 RBI in 34 games. The five-time Gold Glove Award winner has also fallen off defensively, with a minus-1 in the defensive runs saved metric.
With dwindling offensive production and his 36th birthday coming up in August, it’s hard to see where Heyward could get a shot. But the veteran may be coming to the end of the road unless another team steps up to the plate.