Dylan Martin Dodd Bio
Dylan Martin Dodd (born June 6, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023 and has since appeared in multiple seasons with the organization. Dodd was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft and rose quickly through the minor leagues before earning his spot on the major league roster.
Early Life and Background
Dodd was born in Bismarck, Illinois, to Mark and Thea Dodd. His father, Mark Dodd, played a significant role in Dylan’s athletic development by coaching his high school baseball and football teams. This early exposure to organized sports under his father’s guidance helped shape Dodd’s competitive approach and work ethic that would serve him well in his baseball career.
Dodd attended Bismarck Henning High School in Bismarck, Illinois, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. His performance on the baseball diamond caught the attention of college scouts, leading him to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level. Dodd would go on to play at two institutions before entering professional baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
After high school, Dodd began his collegiate baseball career at Kankakee Community College. He then transferred to Southeast Missouri State University, where he continued to develop as a pitcher. His hard work and dedication paid off during his final collegiate season in 2021, when he was named the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year. This prestigious award recognized his dominant performances on the mound and established him as one of the top collegiate pitchers in the conference.
Dodd’s success at Southeast Missouri State made him a notable draft prospect. The Atlanta Braves selected him in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, making him the first athlete in Bismarck Henning High School history to be selected in the MLB Draft. He joined the Braves organization after agreeing to a $125,000 signing bonus.
Dylan Martin Dodd Career
Minor League Development (2021–2022)
Dodd spent his first professional season in 2021 with the Augusta GreenJackets and Rome Braves, beginning his journey through the Braves minor league system. He made steady progress in his debut professional campaign, adjusting to the speed and competition of organized baseball while refining his pitching repertoire.
The 2022 season saw Dodd advance through multiple levels of the minor leagues. He started the year with the Rome Braves before earning a promotion to the Mississippi Braves. His strong performances throughout the season led to an additional assignment with the Gwinnett Stripers, where he finished the year. This progression through three different affiliates demonstrated the organization’s confidence in his development and readiness for higher competition.
Atlanta Braves Breakthrough (2023)
Before the 2023 regular season began, Dodd participated in spring training with the Atlanta Braves. He competed with fellow pitching prospect Jared Shuster for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. The competition was intense, and both pitchers showed promise during camp.
On March 26, 2023, after Kyle Wright was placed on the injured list, it was announced that both Dodd and Shuster had made the Opening Day roster and would pitch out of the rotation for the time being. On April 3, 2023, Dodd was officially selected to the 40-man roster, securing his place among the team’s major league pitchers.
He faced the St. Louis Cardinals in his major league debut on April 4, 2023. Dodd recorded a victory and three strikeouts while yielding one earned run on six hits in five innings. This solid debut performance provided a glimpse of his potential at the highest level. However, his second start on April 9 saw him struggle, as he allowed ten hits and seven earned runs in just under five innings, resulting in his first major league loss.
On April 11, 2023, Dodd was optioned to the Gwinnett Stripers as Kyle Wright was reinstated from the injured list. In 7 starts for Atlanta during his rookie campaign, he recorded a 7.60 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 34 and one-third innings of work.
Atlanta Braves Era (2024–2026)
Dodd was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the 2024 season, continuing his pattern of assignment to the minor leagues when not on the major league roster. He made only one appearance for Atlanta in 2024, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts across two innings pitched. The limited opportunities reflected the depth of the Braves’ rotation and the team’s approach to managing Dodd’s development.
He began the 2025 season with Triple-A Gwinnett but would go on to appear in 28 contests for Atlanta during the regular season. Dodd compiled a 1-0 record and 3.60 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 35 innings of work. This represented significant improvement from his rookie season and showed his ability to compete effectively at the major league level when given the opportunity.
Dodd was again optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the 2026 season. Through June 24, 2026, his career MLB statistics showed a 3-2 win-loss record with a 5.08 earned run average and 69 strikeouts across his appearances with the Atlanta Braves.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Dodd has shown the ability to work through lineups and pitch effectively at the major league level. His collegiate success and rapid rise through the minor leagues demonstrated his competitiveness and adaptability. His experience spanning multiple minor league levels and his continued opportunities with Atlanta indicate the organization’s belief in his long-term potential as a major league pitcher.
Notable Events and Milestones
His MLB debut against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 4, 2023, stands as a significant career milestone. Recording a victory in his debut while limiting the Cardinals to one earned run over five innings established a positive foundation for his major league career. Being selected as the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and becoming the first athlete from Bismarck Henning High School to be drafted in the MLB Draft represent the major achievements that paved the way for his professional career.
Dylan Martin Dodd Career Wins
Across his MLB career through June 24, 2026, Dodd has compiled a 3-2 win-loss record with 69 strikeouts. His professional career includes experience at the Single-A, Double-A, Triple-A, and Major League levels with the Atlanta Braves organization.
Major League Baseball Highlights
His most notable MLB performance came in his debut game on April 4, 2023, against the St. Louis Cardinals. Dodd earned his first major league victory while striking out three batters and allowing one earned run over five innings. This debut victory provided an encouraging start to his major league career and validated the organization’s decision to promote him to the Opening Day roster.
Throughout the 2025 season, Dodd appeared in 28 games with Atlanta and recorded a 1-0 record. His 3.60 ERA during that season reflected improved command and consistency compared to his rookie campaign. These performances solidified his role as a reliable option in the Braves’ pitching staff.
Minor League and Collegiate Achievements
Prior to his MLB career, Dodd established himself as an elite collegiate pitcher by winning the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year award in 2021. His success at Southeast Missouri State, combined with his minor league progression through Augusta, Rome, Mississippi, and Gwinnett, demonstrated his ability to perform at increasingly competitive levels.
| Series | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2023–2026) | 3 | 2 | 5.08 | 69 |
Dylan Martin Dodd Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Dodd was born to Mark and Thea Dodd in Bismarck, Illinois. His father, Mark Dodd, played a direct role in Dylan’s athletic development by serving as his coach during high school baseball and football. This familial connection to coaching provided Dylan with early mentorship and a strong foundation in competitive athletics. The family support system helped foster his progression from youth sports through his collegiate career at Southeast Missouri State.
Personal Life
Dodd continues his baseball career within the Atlanta Braves organization. He resides during the baseball season while playing for various affiliates. His journey from Bismarck Henning High School to the major leagues represents the fulfillment of a goal set during his formative years under his father’s coaching. The family maintains their roots in Illinois while supporting his professional endeavors.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant step forward in Dodd’s major league development. After beginning the year with Triple-A Gwinnett, he received multiple opportunities with Atlanta and appeared in 28 regular season games. His 1-0 record and 3.60 ERA demonstrated improved effectiveness and consistency compared to his initial MLB experience in 2023.
The 35 innings he pitched across those 28 appearances reflected his role as a multi-inning reliever capable of bridging games between the starting rotation and the bullpen. His 30 strikeouts during these appearances showed his ability to miss bats at the major league level. The combination of limited runs allowed and solid strikeout numbers indicated that Dodd had adjusted to the speed and complexity of major league hitters.
The Braves’ pitching staff featured established starters and emerging prospects, creating a competitive environment for playing time. Dodd’s ability to contribute effectively when called upon positioned him as a valuable depth piece for the organization. His continued presence on the major league roster through the season demonstrated the team’s confidence in his abilities and his potential for expanded opportunities in future seasons.