Braves Sign RHP Chad Kuhl to Minor League Deal
The Atlanta Braves have made another move to strengthen their pitching depth, signing right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl to a minor league contract. According to a report from Aram Leighton of Just Baseball, Kuhl will join the organization for the 2025 season. Additionally, MLB Trade Rumors indicated that he is expected to be a non-roster invitee for the Braves’ big league spring training camp, giving him a chance to compete for a spot on the team.
Kuhl, who has played for multiple teams since leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 2021 season, is looking to reestablish himself at the major league level. His most notable season came in 2017 when he was a full-time starter for the Pirates. That year, he made 31 starts, pitching 157.1 innings with a 4.35 ERA, a 4.61 FIP, and an fWAR of 2.2. However, he struggled to replicate that success in subsequent years, bouncing between starting and relief roles while posting inconsistent numbers.
Most recently, Kuhl pitched for the Chicago White Sox in 2024, where he appeared in 31 games out of the bullpen. He logged 53.1 innings with a 5.06 ERA and a 4.10 FIP, resulting in a 0.3 fWAR. While his stats may not stand out, they marked his most productive season since 2022, when he was a member of the Colorado Rockies’ rotation. Over time, Kuhl has transitioned into more of a bullpen option rather than a regular starting pitcher.
One of Kuhl’s strengths is his ability to induce ground balls and limit hard contact when he is at his best. In 2024, he ranked in the 82nd percentile for Barrel percentage and the 70th percentile for Ground Ball percentage, which suggests he was effective at keeping hitters from making strong contact. Additionally, he improved his control, reducing his walk rate to 4.22 walks per nine innings—closer to his career average of 4.12 BB/9. This was a notable improvement from 2023 when his walk rate spiked to 6.57 BB/9.
As Kuhl joins the Braves, he will face competition from several other pitchers looking to earn a role in the bullpen. While it remains uncertain if he will secure a roster spot immediately, he could provide depth for Atlanta over the course of the season. If he performs well in spring training, he may find himself in a long-relief role with the big league club at some point during 2025.
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