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Braves Trade for Dane Dunning from Rangers: What to Make of Move

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 10:38 AM ET

The Braves added an arm on July 17, as Dane Dunning comes to Atlanta via trade. Dunning, who played a key role for the Rangers two years ago, has been up & down this season between Triple-A and the Majors.

A Look at Dunning

The Rangers acquired ex-White Sox prospect Dane Dunning after the 2020 season, as part of the return received for Lance Lynn. While his final two seasons with Texas didn’t go particularly well, Dunning provided plenty of value for the Rangers.

His best season came in 2023, as Dunning helped keep the Rangers’ rotation afloat amid the loss of Jacob deGrom, who underwent Tommy John surgery that season. Dunning struck out 140 and threw a career-high 172.2 IP for the Rangers.

Since then, Dunning has been on the train between the Majors and Round Rock (AAA). His walk rate spiked to 9.5% last season and 10.9% this year in a short sample size of five games.

A former first-round pick, Dunning can be considered a “junk” pitcher. The 30-year-old doesn’t throw hard, touching the low-90s with his sinker; his highest velocity at the Major League level was 94 MPH.

What Dunning does, however, is work with several different pitches to change the look. Dunning has thrown a cutter significantly more this season. At the MLB level, his cutter, a high-80s pitch with carry and action towards the glove side, was used 43% of the time. In Triple-A, that number was 32.5%.

Dane Dunning 2025 MLB Pitch Movement Via New Baseball Media

Aside from that pitch, it’s a lot of sinkers — which have traditionally been more sinking than runners — and changeups, along with sliders. The slider was his preferred secondary offering for some time, a pitch that got swings-and-misses and showed depth. However, he often lost it in the zone.

Dunning isn’t a strikeout pitcher. The right-hander never sported a K% above the league average.

Dane Dunning Whiff 2025 TEX Small sample size. Last season, Dunning’s whiffs were heavily concentrated in the lower half and down (via New Baseball Media)

Heading into the 2025 season, Dunning had two years of team control. However, the Rangers only had him on the MLB roster for roughly two weeks this season, as he was outrighted and optioned to the Minors before the trade.

The Braves announced Dunning was acquired for cash and Jose Ruiz. Ruiz has pitched for the White Sox, Padres, Diamondbacks, Phillies, and Braves for parts of nine seasons.

Analysis

As mentioned earlier, Dunning has barely been in the Majors this season. He only made five appearances with the Rangers this season, all out of the bullpen. He started 11 games for Triple-A Round Rock.

Dunning can slot into Atlanta’s pitching staff in several different ways, including as a long man or as a fill-in starter.

The Braves have had trouble of late getting through innings & games with starters Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez, and Chris Sale on the IL. Most recently, the Braves have given rookie Didier Fuentes a look. Fuentes, though, surrendered six home runs and 23 hits across 13 frames.

Dunning isn’t a big name. But, he is one who can provide length at a time when the Braves need it.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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