Matt Olson homered, but the Braves fell to the Reds 5-3 on Aug 2, 2025. As the team's focus shifts to youth, find out what the future holds for Atlanta.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another game, another frustrating result. The Atlanta Braves fell to the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 on Saturday, capping a disappointing series loss. While Matt Olson provided a spark with his 19th home run of the season, the bigger story isn't happening on the major league diamond. With the team sitting at 46-64 and the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the front office's recent roster moves signal a clear pivot towards evaluating internal options and building for 2026.
Now 46-64 and a distant 16.5 games behind the Phillies, the 2025 season is officially about evaluating talent for the future.
The Braves couldn't muster enough offense to overcome the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Matt Olson's two-run blast in the 6th inning was a high point, but it wasn't enough. Max Fried battled through 5.2 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out seven, but a key two-run double by Reds rookie Noelvi Marte in the 4th proved decisive. A late solo shot by Elly De La Cruz off Raisel Iglesias sealed the deal, dropping the Braves to a season-low 18 games under .500.
The front office's strategy came into sharp focus this week. After a quiet trade deadline that saw only minor moves, the team recalled infielder Jonathan Ornelas from Triple-A Gwinnett to provide depth. To make room, struggling righty Dane Dunning, who has a 5.92 ERA in his last seven appearances, was optioned. This follows the philosophy of standing pat and giving young, controllable players a chance to prove their worth at the big-league level. Ornelas, 25, earned his shot by hitting .274 with 41 RBIs in Gwinnett.
While the big-league club struggles, there's reason for optimism down on the farm. Top prospect Vaughn Grissom continued his torrid season for the Gwinnett Stripers on Saturday, launching his 12th home run and driving in three runs. Grissom is making a loud case for a September call-up, and with the Braves clearly looking at their internal talent, his performance is becoming impossible to ignore. He represents the hope that anchors a season like this.
The loss in Cincinnati stings, but the direction is clear. The final two months of the 2025 season are less about the standings and more about the future. Expect to see more young players get opportunities as the front office evaluates who will be part of the next competitive Braves team. The focus has shifted from this year's box scores to next year's roster.
