In a surprising move, the Atlanta Braves have hired former San Francisco Giants general manager Pete Putila as their new assistant general manager. This marks the end of Putila’s brief two-year tenure with the Giants, where he worked closely with the team’s player development system after being hired by Farhan Zaidi in 2022. His new role with the Braves will have him overseeing their international scouting department, a key responsibility that highlights his broad experience in talent evaluation and development.
Putila’s career in baseball began with the Houston Astros, where he joined the organization as a baseball operations intern in 2011. He quickly ascended through the ranks, earning a promotion to assistant general manager by 2019. His time with the Astros coincided with a tumultuous period for the organization, following the sign-stealing scandal. Despite the challenges, Putila’s strong background in player development helped the team navigate its way forward and remain competitive. His success with the Astros was one of the factors that made him an attractive candidate for the Giants when they brought him on board.
In his role with the Giants, Putila focused on player development, but his impact was somewhat difficult to quantify given the nature of his work behind the scenes. However, there were notable positive outcomes under his watch. Several Giants prospects, including Hayden Birdsong, Landen Roupp, and Luis Matos, showed significant promise during his tenure. Putila was also instrumental in scouting Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, who the Giants eventually signed to a six-year, $113 million contract. This success in international scouting is a key component of his new role with the Braves, where he will continue to focus on identifying and developing international talent.
Despite the expectations that Putila might stay with the Giants in some capacity following the departure of Farhan Zaidi, the team opted not to retain him, instead promoting Zack Minasian to the general manager role. This decision opened the door for Putila to pursue opportunities elsewhere, and the Braves quickly seized the chance to bring him into their fold.
Putila’s departure from the Giants is significant for an organization that has been working hard to catch up in terms of player development. The Giants, who have often been criticized for falling behind other teams in this area, will now have to navigate this transition without one of their key executives. His move to Atlanta, a team that has been successful in both player development and scouting, is a testament to Putila’s reputation across the league. While his work was often behind the scenes, those in the industry have recognized his contributions, and it’s clear that the Braves believe his expertise will be a valuable addition to their front office.
For the Braves, bringing in Putila adds further depth to an already strong front office. The team’s continued success in scouting and player development is part of the reason they’ve been one of the most consistent teams in recent years, and Putila’s experience will only strengthen that foundation. As the Braves look to remain at the top of the MLB standings, Putila’s expertise will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of their roster through international talent.
