<img alt="Milwaukee Brewers v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O-Sgkk7whVNx4zpu-88eWvjE5sI=/347x0:4082x2490/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73727559/2166270741.0.jpg">
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
The 29-year-old made his big league debut with Atlanta on his only day on the team’s active roster. In 2024, 149 pitchers made their Major League debut. Four Atlanta Braves were part of that total with the last pitcher to do so the most unlikely one; if you happened to miss a couple of games in early August, then you may have missed the MLB debut of Parker Dunshee.
On August 8, at 29 years-old, Dunshee became the 23,300th player to appear in Major League history. Called up earlier in the day, Dunshee debuted for the Braves and then was optioned back to Triple-A the following day.
How acquired
Dunshee, a right-handed pitcher out of Wake Forest University, was drafted in the seventh round by the Oakland Athletics in 2017. Working as a starting pitcher throughout his time with Oakland, he made it to Triple-A in his third professional season. He was released in April 2023 but signed with the San Francisco Giants and split time between Double-A and Triple-A.
After becoming a free agent at the conclusion of the 2023 season, he inked a deal with the Atlanta Braves and split time between Double-A and Triple-A until his brief call-up in August.
What were the expectations?
It is fair to say that a MLB appearance by Parker Dunshee wasn’t on anyone’s radar for most of the season. Appearing in a Major League game is an amazing achievement that only a select few have ever accomplished. Congratulations to him.
Notably, Dunshee’s minor league career was full of truly horrible numbers ever since he got promoted to Triple-A for the first time in 2019. The only time he was even passable was when he got busted down to Double-A after the Giants scooped him up, but then he went on to dominate Double-A hitters as a 29-year old early this season. His numbers for the Braves in Triple-A were just okay (3.83 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 4.46 xFIP), so there was no reason to expect anything out of Dunshee.
2024 results
Working as a full-time reliever for the first time in his career, Dunshee made 37 minor league appearances spanning 59 1⁄3 innings. His Double-A numbers were rightfully absurd (a K%-BB% pushing 40 percent) but he crashed back down to earth in Triple-A. He did allow just one homer in the minors this season, though, which was nice.
His lone MLB appearance went about as you’d expect for a journeyman who hadn’t really gotten a handle on minor league competition yet. Dunshee threw in a mop-up role, facing 14 batters across seven outs of work. He had a 3/2 K/BB ratio and allowed two longballs, an 8-0 deficit ballooned to 13-3 by the time he departed.
He was designed for assignment by Atlanta on August 14 and was subsequently outrighted back to the Gwinnett Stripers.
What went right?
He made it to “The Show,” which is fantastic. Yay, him. His minor league season looked good on the surface, but again, dominating Double-A hitters at age 29 is expected. He struck out the side in his first full inning of work in the majors, which is pretty cool.
What went wrong?
Unfortunately, his outing unraveled thereafter, as he walked the leadoff batter and proceeded to give up two homers with two walks mixed in before wrapping up his debut. The Braves optioned Dunshee to Triple-A the next day.
2025 outlook
If Dunshee continues his career, he should have no problem finding a minor league deal. He could even have a puncher’s chance to make a major league roster with a strong Spring Training on the right club. He might even build on his 2024 as a full-time reliever and finally scale the summit that is apparently Triple-A baseball; if he does, he could get another Major League opportunity at some point in 2025.
Although he will turn 30 around the time pitchers and catcher report, he’s still young enough to offer a team bullpen depth -- or possibly an option as emergency depth if he returns to the rotation. He also seems to fit the profile of a pitcher who might have an opportunity to pitch professionally in South Korea or Japan.
A return to the Braves organization can’t be ruled out given his success, affordability and expected attrition in the Atlanta rotation and bullpen due to free agency and retirement.
<img alt="Milwaukee Brewers v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O-Sgkk7whVNx4zpu-88eWvjE5sI=/347x0:4082x2490/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73727559/2166270741.0.jpg">
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
The 29-year-old made his big league debut with Atlanta on his only day on the team’s active roster. In 2024, 149 pitchers made their Major League debut. Four Atlanta Braves were part of that total with the last pitcher to do so the most unlikely one; if you happened to miss a couple of games in early August, then you may have missed the MLB debut of Parker Dunshee.
On August 8, at 29 years-old, Dunshee became the 23,300th player to appear in Major League history. Called up earlier in the day, Dunshee debuted for the Braves and then was optioned back to Triple-A the following day.
How acquired
Dunshee, a right-handed pitcher out of Wake Forest University, was drafted in the seventh round by the Oakland Athletics in 2017. Working as a starting pitcher throughout his time with Oakland, he made it to Triple-A in his third professional season. He was released in April 2023 but signed with the San Francisco Giants and split time between Double-A and Triple-A.
After becoming a free agent at the conclusion of the 2023 season, he inked a deal with the Atlanta Braves and split time between Double-A and Triple-A until his brief call-up in August.
What were the expectations?
It is fair to say that a MLB appearance by Parker Dunshee wasn’t on anyone’s radar for most of the season. Appearing in a Major League game is an amazing achievement that only a select few have ever accomplished. Congratulations to him.
Notably, Dunshee’s minor league career was full of truly horrible numbers ever since he got promoted to Triple-A for the first time in 2019. The only time he was even passable was when he got busted down to Double-A after the Giants scooped him up, but then he went on to dominate Double-A hitters as a 29-year old early this season. His numbers for the Braves in Triple-A were just okay (3.83 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 4.46 xFIP), so there was no reason to expect anything out of Dunshee.
2024 results
Working as a full-time reliever for the first time in his career, Dunshee made 37 minor league appearances spanning 59 1⁄3 innings. His Double-A numbers were rightfully absurd (a K%-BB% pushing 40 percent) but he crashed back down to earth in Triple-A. He did allow just one homer in the minors this season, though, which was nice.
His lone MLB appearance went about as you’d expect for a journeyman who hadn’t really gotten a handle on minor league competition yet. Dunshee threw in a mop-up role, facing 14 batters across seven outs of work. He had a 3/2 K/BB ratio and allowed two longballs, an 8-0 deficit ballooned to 13-3 by the time he departed.
He was designed for assignment by Atlanta on August 14 and was subsequently outrighted back to the Gwinnett Stripers.
What went right?
He made it to “The Show,” which is fantastic. Yay, him. His minor league season looked good on the surface, but again, dominating Double-A hitters at age 29 is expected. He struck out the side in his first full inning of work in the majors, which is pretty cool.
What went wrong?
Unfortunately, his outing unraveled thereafter, as he walked the leadoff batter and proceeded to give up two homers with two walks mixed in before wrapping up his debut. The Braves optioned Dunshee to Triple-A the next day.
2025 outlook
If Dunshee continues his career, he should have no problem finding a minor league deal. He could even have a puncher’s chance to make a major league roster with a strong Spring Training on the right club. He might even build on his 2024 as a full-time reliever and finally scale the summit that is apparently Triple-A baseball; if he does, he could get another Major League opportunity at some point in 2025.
Although he will turn 30 around the time pitchers and catcher report, he’s still young enough to offer a team bullpen depth -- or possibly an option as emergency depth if he returns to the rotation. He also seems to fit the profile of a pitcher who might have an opportunity to pitch professionally in South Korea or Japan.
A return to the Braves organization can’t be ruled out given his success, affordability and expected attrition in the Atlanta rotation and bullpen due to free agency and retirement.
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