Raisel Iglesias experienced a challenging season in 2025, coinciding with a critical year in his contract. Despite ultimately achieving numbers similar to his expected performance, early struggles with home runs set a negative tone during a difficult year for the Atlanta Braves.
Acquisition and Background
The Atlanta Braves acquired Iglesias from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2022 Trade Deadline, trading pitchers Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez. Initially, Iglesias was positioned as a setup man for Kenley Jansen. However, following Jansen’s departure, Iglesias transitioned into the closer role, carrying a three-year contract.
2025 Season Expectations
Iglesias entered the 2025 season following a successful 2024, where he demonstrated strong performance metrics. His career averages showed a 70/77/79 line coming into 2024, along with a 1.6 fWAR. Heading into 2025, Iglesias was expected to continue as a reliable closer.
Season Performance
- In 2025, Iglesias recorded 1.0 fWAR over 67 1/3 innings in 70 appearances.
- His final stats included a line of 76/82/92, marking his worst ERA- and FIP- since 2019.
- Despite early season struggles, notably with home runs allowed, his xERA aligned with his 2022-2023 performance.
Shutdowns and Meltdowns
Iglesias ended the season with 29 shutdowns and 11 meltdowns. Early in the season, he faced issues with more meltdowns than shutdowns, including two back-to-back losses against the Diamondbacks. His performance improved significantly later in the season.
Key Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Shutdowns | 29 |
| Meltdowns | 11 |
| Innings Pitched | 67.1 |
| Appearances | 70 |
| Final ERA- | 92 |
Highlights and Challenges
Iglesias’s season featured various ups and downs. He received a Reliever of the Month award in August and achieved his 250th career save. Despite early troubles, he managed several strong outings, including a notable game where he struck out the last three batters to secure a victory.
What Went Wrong
Despite his latter season turnaround, Iglesias’s initial struggles were detrimental. He registered a -0.6 fWAR by the end of April, largely due to high home run rates from his slider. Command issues plagued his performance, with difficulties in placing his pitches effectively. The team’s fate was negatively impacted as Iglesias’s poor early-season metrics coincided with their struggles.
2026 Outlook
The Braves opted not to trade Iglesias and instead re-signed him for one year at $16 million. Expectations for the upcoming season remain cautiously optimistic, projecting Iglesias to contribute between 0.5 and 1.0 fWAR. However, concerns linger about his increasing xFIP and age, as he will be 36 during the 2026 season.
