"The Braves signed Jhancarlos Lara back in 2021 as an international free agent. The team was still dealing with their international sanctions from the John Coppolella era at the time, significantly limiting what they could spend. So getting a real prospect in this time would require finding a diamond in the rough for almost no bonus - which is exactly what happened with Lara, as he signed for just $10k bonus."
"What were the 2025 expectations? Lara emerged in 2024, spending most of the season in Rome before getting to make his final five outings in Mississippi as a starting pitcher. The expectation most fans had would be him going back to Double-A, this time in Columbus, and continuing on as a starting pitcher, even if many had him ticketed more as a future closer due to getting more innings in that way as well as chances to face hitters multiple times through the order."
"Lara started back in Columbus and struggled a bit in six outings, including five starts. He posted a 11.21 ERA, 2.38 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts to 19 walks over 17.1 innings. Still that was enough to get him promoted to Gwinnett - however as a reliever. He was more successful in Gwinnett than he was in Columbus, pitching to a 6.53 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts to 46 walks over 51 innings there."
"Lara actually made a handful of starts in Triple-A late in the year, as the Braves decided to get him more innings in, getting him up to 68.2 on the year. He battled command a bit, but showed the stuff of a potential future closer. He even earned himself a promotion to the big leagues this year, though was sent back down before appearing in a game with the Braves."
Jhancarlos Lara signed with the Braves in 2021 for a $10k bonus amid international spending limits. He emerged in 2024, spending most of the season in Rome and finishing with five starts in Mississippi. Expectations for 2025 centered on Double-A Columbus and a potential long-term role as a reliever or closer. Lara struggled early in Columbus but was promoted to Gwinnett as a reliever, where he struck out 78 batters in 51 innings despite command issues. He made additional Triple-A starts, earned a big-league promotion without appearing in a game, and posted a 2.35 ERA with 11 strikeouts in the Arizona Fall League.
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