Braves make two huge roster moves amid series with Cubs

These are two developments Braves fans should be watching closely down the stretch.

Ha-Seong Kim is likely to be the club’s starting shortstop next season. He’s spent most of this year injured, playing in just 24 games with the Rays. However, from 2021-2024, Kim averaged 3.8 WAR per season for the San Diego Padres. When he’s right, he’s an elite defensive player that can at least provide average offensive production, something the Braves have been looking for at shortstop since Dansby Swanson departed in free agency three years ago.

Hayden Harris also has the potential to be a huge piece of the club moving forward. The southpaw out of Georgia Southern has developed into a top 30 prospect as a reliever, which isn’t easy to do, but the numbers speak for themselves. He has pitched 48 innings between AA-AAA this season and boasts a minuscule 0.56 ERA, including a 0.36 mark in Gwinnett.

With a lot of questions surrounding the Braves bullpen entering the offseason, Harris has an opportunity to write his name on the 2026 Opening Day roster in permanent ink with a strong finish to the season.