The Braves are adding some veteran depth to their infield mix, signing Kyle Farmer to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp this spring. The 35-year-old utility man will be in the thick of the competition for a bench spot as Atlanta looks to patch together its shortstop situation in the wake of Ha-Seong Kim’s injury.
Farmer isn’t new to this kind of role - and he’s no stranger to the NL Central either. He was the Reds’ everyday shortstop in 2021 and 2022, then turned in a solid 2023 campaign with the Twins.
Over that three-year stretch, he posted a .258/.316/.402 slash line with a 94 wRC+, while showing defensive versatility across the infield. He was more of a shortstop in Cincinnati, but Minnesota leaned on him at second and third as well.
That flexibility is a big part of his value.
What’s always stood out about Farmer is his ability to hit left-handed pitching. His career line against southpaws - .279/.341/.464 with a 117 wRC+ over nearly 800 plate appearances - tells the story. He’s never been a consistent threat against righties, but he’s carved out a niche as a platoon option who can play multiple spots and give you a professional at-bat against lefties.
That said, the last two seasons haven’t been kind to him. In 2024, his second year with the Twins, he hit just .214/.293/.353, leading Minnesota to decline his option. He landed with the Rockies on a big league deal, but even the hitter-friendly altitude of Coors Field couldn’t spark a turnaround - he slashed .227/.280/.365 there, and once again found himself on the open market.
Still, this is a pragmatic move for Atlanta. The Braves thought they had their shortstop situation locked down when they brought back Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year, $20 million deal. But a freak accident derailed those plans - Kim slipped on ice and tore a tendon in his hand, an injury that required surgery and is expected to sideline him for at least the first couple months of the season.
That sent the Braves scrambling for reinforcements. They quickly signed Jorge Mateo to a one-year deal, giving them a glove-first option at short who brings elite speed and defensive chops. Now, with Farmer in the fold as a non-roster invitee, Atlanta is adding another layer of depth - and perhaps a bit more offensive upside, especially against lefties.
Mauricio Dubon is currently penciled in as the starter at shortstop while Kim recovers. Dubon, of course, is a Swiss Army knife - he can handle short, second, and even center field, and his ability to move around gives the Braves some interesting flexibility. If Dubon shifts to the outfield to cover for Mike Yastrzemski against left-handed pitching, that could open the door for Farmer to slide in at short.
But for Farmer to grab a spot on the Opening Day roster, he’s going to have to earn it. Mateo’s already on the 40-man and can’t be optioned, just like Farmer. Both are right-handed hitters with similar defensive profiles, so there’s a chance they’re competing for the same roster spot once the Braves start trimming the roster down in late March.
For now, though, Farmer gives the Braves a steady veteran presence with a proven track record of handling lefties and playing wherever he’s needed. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable - and on a team with postseason aspirations, that kind of player can quietly make a difference over the course of a long season.