Former Atlanta Braves prospect Bruce Zimmerman faced yet another setback this week, being designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers. Zimmerman made a spot start for the franchise and had a chance to solidify a future role. Instead, the former Brave gave up six runs and continued to struggle in what has been a career primarily defined by middling minor league production.
In case the name doesn't sound familiar, the starter was drafted back in 2017 and would later be traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the 2018 season.
It was a deal that netted Atlanta starter Kevin Gausman and reliever turned Braves announcer Darren O'Day. Going to Baltimore as well in that trade were Brett Cumberland, Evan Phillips, and Jean Carlos Encarnacion. The only piece of note that Atlanta gave up was Phillips, who has gone on to put together an impressive career out of the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen. Unquestionably, he is the type of arm that the Braves have been lacking throughout the 2025 season.
Former Braves Prospect Bruce Zimmerman Continues Struggles in Short Brewers Tenure
While the Braves might reverse the decision to part ways with Phillips, the rest of the pieces sent in the deal have aged well for Atlanta. This includes Zimmerman, who has spent time with the Orioles and Brewers systems over the last four years and has still been unable to find anything resembling consistency. The starter is 8-11 in his career with an ERA north of five and a negative WAR.
All of this makes it clear that it is very possible we are close to the end for the former Atlanta starter. It simply is difficult to see a team willing to give a roster spot to such a limited option. Zimmerman's best bet for his career to continue is finding a role with a contending team that has spent prospects to build a great roster. Taking advantage of a lack of minor league depth and eating innings in a reserve role seems the likely path if his career is going to continue.
It seems more likely that Zimmerman has reached the end of the road at 30, never having established himself at the Major League level. As sad as it might be to confront, it is the reality of a difficult business for a player who has offered no reason to continue to offer him a roster spot. The former Brave appears to have reached the end of what has been an underwhelming career.