Without seemingly anyone catching wind of the signing, the Braves quietly announced the acquisition of a former elite closer by including him on their list of non-roster invites to Spring Training.
Ken Giles is an eight-year MLB veteran. He owns a 2.71 career ERA, and in his last full season, he posted a minuscule 1.87 ERA with 23 saves for the Toronto Blue Jays. Unfortunately, that was all the way back in 2019. Giles would undergo Tommy John surgery the following year and has only appeared in five games since. It’s been a long road back, but he’s hoping to get another shot at 33 years old with the Braves.
It is going to be an uphill battle with all of the arms Alex Anthopoulos and Brian Snitker have at their disposal. If Ken Giles makes the Opening Day roster, he’ll have earned it, and he got off to an electric start in his Spring Training debut, striking out the side in one inning for work.
Giles also did not simply strike out a ton of AAA utility guys. The Philadelphia Phillies, who have terrified the Braves in each of the previous two postseasons, have that lineup at its core.
Never overreact to the outcomes of Spring Training. This is all we have to go on when it comes to Ken Giles, but generally speaking, things should always be taken with a grain of salt. It’s a significant appearance each time he hits the mound during Spring Training, as he hopes to return to the majors for the first time since 2022.
