Braves Trade Paying Off With Jim Jarvis’ AFL Surge

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00:00Braves trade paying off with Jim Jarvis' AFL surge

00:04The Braves' decision to move Rafael Montero looks even smarter, as infielder Jim Jarvis

00:10impresses with key swing adjustments in the Arizona Fall League.

00:14There is such a thing as addition by subtraction, and when the Atlanta Braves traded Rafael

00:19Montero at the deadline, that phrase fit perfectly.

00:23When the Braves acquired Montero from Houston early in the season, the hope was that a change

00:27of scenery might rekindle his 2022 form and stabilize Atlanta's bullpen.

00:33That never materialized.

00:36In 36 appearances, Montero posted a 5.50 ERA, often undone by erratic command, and a series

00:43of high-leverage meltdowns that cost the Braves critical games.

00:48He wasn't the only reason Atlanta stumbled in 2025, but he was one of the more glaring

00:53disappointments, and few fans missed him when he was gone.

00:56Montero landed on his feet with Detroit, pitching surprisingly well for the Tigers, but Atlanta

01:01may still come out ahead.

01:03The return, infielder Jim Jarvis, is turning heads in the Arizona Fall League with noticeable

01:08adjustments at the plate.

01:10Jarvis wasn't considered a high-end prospect when he was included in the deal.

01:14His .706 OPS at AA Erie before a freak hit by pitch injury, a pitch in the dirt that ricocheted

01:20into his face, didn't exactly scream hidden gem.

01:24But after using that downtime to retool his swing and address a steep ground ball rate,

01:28Jarvis has started to show signs of real progress.

01:32Reports from the AFL say he's driving the ball with more lift, and after swapping bats

01:36with fellow Braves prospect Patrick Clohese, he recently connected for his first home run

01:41in months.

01:43Even if Jarvis only develops into a versatile organizational piece, the trade is already

01:48a success.

01:50Shedding Montero's salary and inconsistency was a win on its own.

01:54Now, if Jarvis continues to trend upward in the AFL, the Braves may have quietly turned a

02:00failed bullpen experiment into a minor league development success story.