Atlanta Braves Mourn the Loss of Former Pitcher Juan Jaime

The Atlanta Braves are in mourning this weekend following the tragic passing of former pitcher Juan Jaime. MLB insider Héctor Gómez reported on Friday that Jaime, 37, died of a heart attack.

Gómez shared the news via his X (formerly Twitter) account in Spanish, with the following English translation:

"Former Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Juan Jaime, who was popularly known as 'El Lápiz,' died at the age of 37 due to a heart attack."

" Jaime was a native of Madre Viega, San Cristóbal. Peace to your soul and conformity to your family."

Jaime pitched for the Braves during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, making 18 MLB appearances over the two years. In 2014, he posted a 5.84 ERA in 16 relief appearances. In 2015, he allowed just one run in 1.1 innings across two appearances.

Facing 70 batters during his MLB career, Jaime struck out 19 and walked 13. Although he f inished with a 5.93 ERA, his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) stood at a more favorable 4.38.

Despite a short MLB career, Jaime made a lasting impact on his home country, the Dominican Republic.

"Juan Jaime's impact on the game was undeniable," wrote Damián Rancez of MSN.com. "He was celebrated for his electrifying fastball, which often reached triple digits, and his resilience in overcoming challenges throughout his baseball journey. His love for the sport and dedication to representing his Dominican roots left a lasting impression on teammates and fans."

Jaime signed as an amateur free agent with the Washington Nationals in 2007 and pitched for their rookie-level Dominican Summer League team. He spent the early part of the 2011 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks before joining the Braves in August of that year. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a six-player deal. After the 2015 season, Jaime elected to sign with a Japanese baseball team, though he never played for an MLB organization again.

His last professional baseball experience was in the Colombian Winter League during the 2023-24 season. Jaime posted a 2-3 record with a 1.59 ERA in seven starts.