New faces shine but Braves fall to Cubs

Despite a lot of losing, there have been some things for the Braves to cheer about in the second half of the season that could have huge implications for 2026.

Hurston Waldrep looks like a starting arm that’s here to stay. Jurickson Profar has been on fire since returning from an 80-game PED suspension. Michael Harris has bounced back nicely from a miserable second half, and Ozzie Albies looks much better as he continues to distance himself from an injury plagued 2024 campaign.

On Tuesday, there were two more things for Atlanta fans to get excited about. The newly acquired Ha-Seong Kim, who was claimed off waivers from the Rays, made his Braves debut, and so did Hayden Harris, a prospect reliever that posted a 0.56 ERA on the farm over 48 innings.

Kim got the start at shortstop over Nick Allen, smacking a couple of hits in four plate appearances. That could be his home next year, as he has a $16 million player option for 2026 that many expect he will opt-in to after spending most of this season on the IL with various injuries.

Harris made his MLB debut in a one-run game in the bottom of the seventh at Wrigley Field, a script he probably couldn’t have written better himself, and it got better as he set down the Cubs in order.

Unfortunately, the Braves couldn’t rally late to tie and lost for the fifth time in their last six games, dropping them to 62-77 on the season. They’ve been a bad baseball team from the start, but there have been enough silver linings in the second half to believe there is the potential for them to rebound in a big way next season, providing they take care of some business in the offseason.