Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Under the radar Braves bullpen candidate makes statement in Spring Training debut

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated 2/28/24

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.

In his spring debut with Atlanta, Ken Giles, a non-roster invitee, struck out Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm in order.

That’ll play.

— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) February 28, 2024

Giles didn’t just strike out a bunch of AAA utility men either. That’s the heart of the Philadelphia Phillies lineup, a group that has terrorized the Braves in each of the last two postseasons.

It’s never wise to overreact to Spring Training results. In most cases, they should always be taken with a grain of salt, but in the case of Ken Giles, this is all we have to go off of. Every time he takes the mound this Spring Training, it’s a meaningful appearance, as he aims to get back to the majors for the first time since 2022.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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