The Atlanta Braves have mercifully reached the All-Star Break, giving fans a break from a 2025 season of misery. It is no longer fair to only blame the front office for the wreckage that is this Atlanta season. Underachieving players and endless pitching injuries have stepped up to take some of the heat off Atlanta's questionable decision-making.
Things have grown so frustrating that fans have little better to do than track other players and jealously watch superior rosters. It is a new low, just when things seemed they couldn't get any worse than the 2024 season.
Still, there are interesting stories to keep fans engaged, including tracking former players finding new landing spots. Former Atlanta catcher Rob Branly might be a name few Braves fans remember due to his short time with the franchise. The catcher was signed to a minor league deal in the 2017 season and would play 58 games with Gwinnett. The results were underwhelming, resulting in the veteran's eventual release. Since leaving the Braves, the catcher has continued to bounce around the league searching for the right opportunity.
Former Braves Catcher Rob Brantly Continues Uneven Path
After starting his career with the Tigers, the veteran has spent time with the Marlins, White Sox, Mariners, Braves, Phillies, Guardians, Giants, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Rays. The latest stop was a return to the Miami Marlins, where Brantly has again met a frustrating end, being designated for assignment by Miami after spending time on the injured list. Whether or not his career continues all depends on expectations.
Brantly is an experienced veteran who brings incredible value to the right minor league roster. The issue is that the offense simply isn't good enough to demand a demotion. If the catcher is going to continue his career, there is going to have to be an understanding that this is the path he will continue to walk.
Getting demoted and jumping around to different organizations is the only way the veteran is going to be able to maintain his career. Expectations of a Major League deal would be misplaced considering the career lack of production. Moving on was the right decision for the Braves years ago, and it appears to be the same conclusion Atlanta's division rival has reached.