Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Kyle Wright’s long-anticipated return to the mound has fallen short of expectations, reinforcing the Braves’ reputation for making shrewd roster decisions.
Traded to the Kansas City Royals ahead of the 2024 season while recovering from shoulder surgery, Wright has yet to reclaim the form that once made him one of baseball’s top arms.
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Wright, a former first-round pick in 2017, enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, leading the league in wins with a 3.19 ERA and earning a top-10 finish in Cy Young voting. However, shoulder problems derailed his progress in 2023, resulting in a dismal 6.97 ERA over just seven starts. After undergoing surgery, the Braves opted to move on from Wright, sending him to Kansas City instead of tendering a contract.
The Royals hoped Wright would bolster their rotation by 2025, but his rehabilitation has yielded concerning results. Since beginning his rehab assignment on May 25, Wright has posted a 6.23 ERA over four Triple-A appearances, coupled with a high 14.8% walk rate. His fastball velocity has dipped from 95 mph in 2022 to an average of 92 mph, further highlighting his decline.
Now back from the injured list, Wright has been optioned to Triple-A Omaha, suggesting that a meaningful contribution at the MLB level may not materialize this season. Comparisons have already been drawn to other promising Braves pitchers like Mike Soroka and Ian Anderson, whose careers were similarly stalled by injuries.
While Wright’s long-term outlook remains uncertain, hopes remain he can regain form in 2026. For now, his struggles affirm Atlanta’s decision-making under President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos, whose track record with trades continues to stand the test of time.
