The Braves have acquired left-hander Ryan Rolison from the Rockies, according to announcements from both clubs. The Rockies, who designated Rolison for assignment yesterday, receive cash considerations in return. Atlanta’s 40-man roster count climbs to 38.
It’s a buy-low move for Atlanta. Rolison was a first-round pick back in 2018, getting selected 22nd overall by the Rockies. He signed with a bonus just north of $2.9MM. He was one of the club’s top prospects in the years after that draft selection but hasn’t yet delivered on his potential.
His trajectory to the majors was thrown off in a few ways. The minor leagues were canceled in 2020 on account of the pandemic. The next few years were curtailed by various injuries, most notably shoulder problems. He was capped at 71 2/3 minor league innings in 2021, missed the entire 2022 season, threw 11 frames in 2023 and then 46 1/3 innings in 2024. He had initially been a starter but has been mostly working out of the bullpen more recently.
In 2025, he finally made it to the show but the results weren’t impressive. He tossed 42 1/3 innings for Colorado this year, allowing 33 earned runs for a 7.02 ERA. His 13% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate were both subpar figures.
If one wanted to look for signs of optimism, his minor league numbers are worth a glance. He tossed 29 2/3 Triple-A innings this year, in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. In that environment, he had a 3.34 ERA, 25.2% strikeout rate, 7.1% walk rate and 48.8% ground ball rate.
Rolison got nudged off the roster in Colorado but Atlanta had some space and will give him a shot. He still has an option year remaining, so his new club can keep him in the minors as left-handed depth, if they so choose. His service time count is at two years and 114 days, meaning he still hasn’t qualified for arbitration and can be controlled for four seasons. That could extend to five if he ends up spending a large amount of time on optional assignment.
Atlanta seems to have a fondness for getting relievers out of Colorado. In recent years, they have grabbed guys like Pierce Johnson, Brad Hand and Tyler Kinley to bolster their bullpen group. Now they’ll take a shot on Rolison. His overall track record isn’t great but he’s a former first-rounder who is optionable and controllable, while the cash they gave up is presumably minimal. They also won’t be relying on him as he’s probably seventh or eighth on the lefty relief depth chart behind Aaron Bummer, Dylan Lee, Dylan Dodd, José Suarez, Joey Wentz, Hayden Harris and/or Josh Walker.
Photo courtesy of David Frerker, Imagn Images
Bolstering the ‘pen move. Rolison was once a 1st round pick. I believe the Braves believe they can fix him and turn him into a reliable arm.
I believe that you believe they believe.
Believable
Unbelievable
AA thinks he can fix all sorts of garbage heap players. His hit ratio is tragically low.
You could probably do his job better than him, you should send your resume.
You should find a shoe to chew, and let the grown folks talk.
His hit ratio with acquiring relievers is very good.
Waiver wire garbage and DFA hit rate is basically zero. Not sure you read all of what I wrote. Sure trading for Iggy,Jimenez and Pierce went well, but did he get anyone worth a crap off waivers?
Does anyone? it’s worth a gamble. If it doesn’t work out nothing is lost.
The answer to your question is at least one. The Braves acquired Dylan Lee by signing him to a minor league contract 2 weeks after he was DFA by the Marlins in April 2021. The waiver wire is used mostly for depth. The most impactful relievers have been dealt for or signed as free agents—-for most teams, not just the Braves.
Ross Dress for Less buy
It always amazes that ex 1st round draftees get umpteen second chances when 5 years on it’s clear that the results haven’t panned out.
But it’s a 0 (or relatively) cost move – early off season is always hoping for a *Josh Hamilton* type turnaround .
Fact is they are far and few between …
It’s because teams will try to unlock potential. Allen was originally a 3rd round of the A’s. “Stros want to unlock the potential a 81st pick would give you.
Braves seem to do well with Colorado pitchers
Denny Neagle is the first person I think of when I think of a former Braves/Rockies pitcher. Who you got?
Mike Hampton
Jeff Parrett. The expansion Rockies actually had both ends of the Dale Murphy/Jeff Parrett trade in 1993.
Andres The Cat Gallaraga 😎
We love rehabilitating Rockies pitchers!
to take the spot vacated by Tyler Kinley/Pierce Johnson…who better than a COL RP?
You can say a lot of things about AA, but not that he doesn’t have a type.
From one horrible team to another.
That’s mean we will make the playoffs we have the talent to win the dagum WS for pete’s sake!
Wanna hear a neat story about Ryan Rolison?
Only if it’s as impressive as the ringworm story was.
I know where this is going…
Ryan Rolison making his debut in May of this year and having nearly three years of service time is diabolical work
He was one of the club’s top prospects in the years after that draft selection but hasn’t yet delivered on his potential.
Huh.
I wish they’d kept Kinley.
Weird choice. I think Atlanta should’ve kept Tyler Kinley
dude probably gets a start by memorial day.
The fact that he has a minor league option remaining is a good sign for the Braves. That means the only risk the Braves are taking is to give him a 40 man roster spot.
2018 1st Round Pick
Braves just let go of another 2018 1st Round Pick Jarred Kelenic.
Braves didn’t sign their own 1st round pick in 2018, 8th overall Carter Stewart. Guess that was for the best.
I can’t believe that the Rockies just got better.
Another useless move by magic man AA.
I hate “cash considerations” trades. It does nothing for the fans. At least getting a lotto ticket 17 year old from the DSL can let you think he MIGHT end up as something 4-5 years from now. But cash going into the owner’s pocket just says we don’t care about you as long as we gets paid. Even if true, just not good optics.
Yeah, the owners get moolah.
I found it actually encouraging that Braves fans have the same Chicken Little whine that my fellow Oriole fans show when a low risk lottery ticket is bought.
Give the Atlanta FO a break. I fully expect everyone that is whining to come back and eat crow if this works out even if he is serviceable and eats some innings in the bigs.
That should be “some Braves fans have the same Chicken Little whine……..” The squeaky wheels get noticed.
Tyler Matzek was another great Rockie/Braves