On Friday night, the Atlanta Braves announced they had signed former Guardians right-handed pitcher Connor Gillispie to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2025 season.
According to MLB’s guidelines on non-guaranteed contracts, Gillispie’s deal will become guaranteed if he earns a spot on the Major League roster after Spring Training.
To avoid confusion, it’s important to note that this Connor Gillispie is not the former MLB infielder Conor Gillaspie making a comeback. The 25-year-old Gillispie, a pitcher, is 10 years younger than the former infielder.
Gillispie made his MLB debut in 2024 with the Cleveland Guardians, appearing in three games. In eight innings, he posted a 2.25 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and struck out eight batters.
Alongside his MLB appearances, Gillispie made 27 outings, including 15 starts, for Triple-A Columbus. He finished with a 4.05 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and held opponents to a .221 batting average.
The Braves are hopeful that Gillispie could be a hidden gem. He was designated for assignment by the Guardians on November 19 and became a free agent on November 22. Known for discovering and developing overlooked talent, the Braves will look to see what they can get from him.
Despite his limited MLB experience, the Braves appear to see potential in Gillispie. If his MLB performance is an accurate reflection of his ability, he may prove to be a valuable addition to their pitching staff, continuing the Braves’ trend of successfully developing pitchers with untapped potential.
While the Braves have made unexpected moves in the past, such as acquiring Reynaldo Lopez for the rotation, Gillispie is more likely to strengthen the bullpen, especially given the team’s injuries, including to Joe Jimenez and possibly AJ Minter.
As the Braves work to improve their pitching depth for the upcoming season, they’ve also signed Ray Kerr and former prospect Royber Salinas to minor league contracts after initially opting to non-tender them.
Gillispie will now have the opportunity to earn a role on Atlanta’s pitching staff, either as a starter or a long-relief option out of the bullpen.
Atlanta’s recent moves, led by President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos, suggest a clear focus on cost-cutting as the team prepares for the 2025 season.
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