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Former Tigers & Reds Pitcher Buck Farmer Released by Hometown Braves

about 1 year agoUS
Former Tigers & Reds Pitcher Buck Farmer Released by Hometown BravesSource: mlive.com
Veteran MLB relief pitcher Buck Farmer, who recently signed with his hometown Atlanta Braves organization, has been released. This news comes shortly after the 34-year-old Georgia native expressed excitement about joining the team he grew up near.

Key Insights

Release: Buck Farmer was released by the Atlanta Braves organization in mid-April 2025 from their Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett.

Performance: The release followed a tough start to the season at Triple-A, where Farmer posted a 7.71 ERA and struggled with walks (nearly 17% walk rate) over five appearances (4.2 innings).

Recent Success: Farmer had three solid seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2022-2024), posting a combined 3.68 ERA over 193 innings, including a strong 3.04 ERA in 71 innings during the 2024 season.

Career Path: Farmer previously pitched for the Detroit Tigers for eight seasons (2014-2021) after being drafted from Georgia Tech.

Hometown Connection: Farmer, originally from Conyers, GA, and a Georgia Tech alum, had signed a minor-league deal with the Braves in February 2025.

Why this matters: A reliable veteran reliever with recent MLB success is now a free agent. His release opens the door for potential reunions, particularly with the Cincinnati Reds, where he previously thrived.

In-Depth Analysis

Buck Farmer's journey brought him close to home when he signed a minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves in February 2025. Having grown up near Atlanta and attended Georgia Tech, Farmer called wearing the Braves jersey in Spring Training a meaningful moment. However, his tenure with the organization proved short-lived.

After being assigned to the Braves' Triple-A Gwinnett team, Farmer struggled significantly in his first five outings. He allowed four earned runs in just 4.2 innings, resulting in a 7.71 ERA. While his strikeout rate remained decent (29.2%), he issued an alarming number of walks (nearly 17%) and opponents hit .350 against him. These performance issues led to his release by the Braves this week.

This marks another turn in Farmer's 11-year MLB career. Originally drafted by the Tigers in 2013, he spent eight seasons in Detroit, transitioning from a starter to a bullpen role. After being let go by the Tigers in 2021 and a brief stint with the Rangers organization, Farmer found success with the Cincinnati Reds. Over three seasons (2022-2024), he became a key bullpen piece, logging a 3.68 ERA. Notably, he overcame a rough start in 2022, returning from a minor-league assignment to post a 2.83 ERA for the remainder of that season.

Given his recent track record with Cincinnati and his past ability to rebound after minor-league adjustments, speculation has arisen about a potential reunion with the Reds. The Reds could potentially sign Farmer to another minor-league deal, allowing him to work with pitching coach Derek Johnson and add valuable veteran depth to their pitching staff.

FAQs

Q: Why did the Braves release Buck Farmer?

A: Farmer was released due to poor performance in his first five appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he had a high ERA (7.71), high walk rate, and high opponent batting average (.350).

Q: Which teams has Buck Farmer played for in MLB?

A: Buck Farmer has pitched for the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds in Major League Baseball. He was briefly in the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves minor league systems.

Q: Could Buck Farmer return to the Cincinnati Reds?

A: A return to the Reds is considered a possibility. He had three successful seasons there recently, and the team might look to sign him to a minor-league contract to bolster their pitching depth, hoping he can regain his form.

Key Takeaways

Veteran Available: A durable reliever with a track record of success, particularly in the last three seasons, is now available on the free-agent market.

Performance Matters: Even for established veterans on minor-league deals, early-season performance can quickly lead to roster changes.

Potential Opportunity: For teams needing bullpen depth, Farmer represents a potential low-risk signing, especially if they believe he can rediscover his recent form shown with the Reds. The Cincinnati Reds appear to be a logical potential landing spot.

Discussion

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