Braves Trade for Tyler Kinley; Rockies Secure Austin Smith in Swap for Pitching Depth

By Oliver Wiener July 31, 2025 17:41

The Atlanta Braves made a key bullpen acquisition just ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, acquiring veteran right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitching prospect Austin Smith. This swap is aimed at bolstering Atlanta’s pitching depth as the Braves navigate a demanding stretch in the National League and push for playoff positioning, while the Rockies solidify their rebuilding plans by adding young talent.

Tyler Kinley, 34, has been one of the Rockies’ more heavily used relievers this season despite a challenging year on the mound. Kinley entered the trade with a 5.66 ERA in 47⅔ innings, striking out 51 batters. While his ERA is elevated, his ability to induce weak contact stands out his average exit velocity allowed this year sits at only 86.3 mph, which ranks in the 95th percentile among MLB pitchers. Additionally, his barrel rate of 6.0% is in the 82nd percentile, indicating hitters have struggled to square up his pitches cleanly. Kinley has also saved three games and holds 21 saves across his career, showcasing his experience in critical late-inning roles.

Braves General Manager James Krehbiel emphasized the veteran’s value, saying, “Tyler brings a unique ability to limit hard contact and a seasoned arm to our bullpen. With injuries to key pitchers, depth is critical, and Kinley’s track record of inducing weak contact fits well into our defensive strategy.” The Braves recently strengthened their rotation with trades for Erick Fedde and Carlos Carrasco, but their bullpen needed shoring up with reliable arms like Kinley’s.

On the other side, the Rockies secured Austin Smith, a 26-year-old right-handed pitching prospect not ranked among Atlanta’s top 30 prospects but showing promise this season in the minors. Smith, who was drafted in the 18th round in 2021, has spent 2025 primarily as a reliever at High-A and Double-A levels. He has logged just over 31 innings in 29 appearances, holding a 4.31 ERA and allowing opposing hitters a .219 batting average. Standing 6-foot-4, Smith brings projectable size and a decent strikeout rate of 9.77 K/9, suggesting upside as a potential bullpen piece for the Rockies in their rebuild.

Colorado’s decision to trade Kinley is part of a broader effort to reset their pitching staff after struggling with some of the league's poorest pitching marks. Thomas Harding of MLB.com noted, “Trading Kinley opens a door for younger arms and aligns with the Rockies’ longer-term vision, even as his veteran presence was valuable on the hill this season.” The Rockies’ bullpen has been a weak link, and this move fits the narrative of shedding veteran salary and acquiring controllable prospects.

From a strategic standpoint, the Braves’ acquisition of Kinley gives manager Carlos Mendoza another experienced righty to face late-inning hitters in high-leverage scenarios, bolstering a bullpen that has endured injuries and workload challenges. Kinley’s ability to induce ground balls and weak contact will be an asset in tight games down the stretch, especially with Atlanta contending for the NL East and wild card spots.

Austin Smith, meanwhile, gains a new opportunity in Colorado’s farm system to develop and potentially ascend to the majors as the Rockies rebuild. His left-on-left and right-on-right splits, control, and mound presence will be closely watched by Rockies pitching coaches aiming to maximize his potential.

In summary, the Braves-Rockies trade involving Tyler Kinley and Austin Smith is a classic example of a veteran reliever-for-prospect deal at the trade deadline. Atlanta prioritizes immediate bullpen reinforcement amidst a playoff push, while Colorado looks ahead, betting on Smith’s upside as part of their pitching rebuild. Both teams address their respective needs with this well-calculated exchange.

This transaction underscores the fluidity of bullpen management in modern baseball, where experienced contact-inducing pitchers are valued for their specialized skill sets and prospects offer long-term hope for rebuilding franchises.