The Atlanta Braves were baseball's best offense in 2023, but they seemed to fall off a cliff in 2024. A lot of that can be tracked back to significant injuries to a few key players.
Their depth was tested heavily last year and despite that, they found a way to sneak into the playoffs. That's an impressive feat even if they didn't last very long once reaching the postseason.
However, that's the name of the game and things aren't always going to go the way teams plan. There's no time to stay down if players want to have success in this league.
The Braves have a great clubhouse mentality and they take things one day at a time. They'll do their best to ensure 2025 is better than 2024. Health will be the biggest factor in making that happen.
Alex Anthopoulos has been criticized for not making a lot of noise this offseason. Atlanta's biggest acquisition was free agent outfielder Jurickson Profar, who had a career year with the Padres in 2024. Outside of that, the Braves didn't add any big-name players and have chosen to rely on their depth to fill starting pitching and bullpen roles.
Even with a less-than-stellar offseason, the Braves have one of the most talented cores in Major League Baseball. The only problem is, they have to compete in a division with the Mets and Phillies. Both of their rivals carry equally-talented rosters, and the Mets made the biggest move of the offseason when they signed Juan Soto.
Braves hope to return as one of baseball's most complete teams in 2025
Atlanta's rotation will consist of Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes, and AJ Smith-Shawer. The top three of the rotation are some of the best in baseball when healthy. Schewellenbach surprised everyone last season and he looked excellent this spring. He's poised for a strong sophomore season.
Spencer Schwellenbach racks up 10 Ks for the @Braves 🔥
— MLB (@MLB) March 20, 2025
Think he's ready for the regular season? pic.twitter.com/XI2F6jRgvs
Sale and Lopez were two of the NL's best last season, and Holmes will hold a spot until Spencer Strider returns. AJSS is one of the Braves' top prospects who has struggled at the MLB level thus far, but he's only 22 and the addition of a cutter this offseason has helped him make the Opening Day roster.
The rotation was the second-best in baseball while the bullpen was the best last year with a 3.31 ERA. That bullpen depth has been hurt a bit this offseason with A.J. Minter joining the Mets and Joe Jimenez going down with an injury.
Atlanta still has a solid core in the bullpen with Dylan Lee, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer, and Raisel Iglesias. The rest of the bullpen was a competition through the spring with veterans and minor league hopefuls. Anthopoulos even signed former Braves closer Craig Kimbrel to a minor league deal, who may land in the bullpen next month.
The rest of the 'pen will likely be structured with the recently acquired Jose Suarez (who was swapped for Atlanta's former number-one pick, Ian Anderson), Daysbel Hernandez, Hector Neris, and Enyel De Los Santos.
Raisel Iglesias continues to pitch as if he's from another planet
— Gaurav (@gvedak) March 20, 2025
1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K
He has given up two hits this spring pic.twitter.com/FDYs8qMkiZ
The Braves had the 15th-best offense last year with a .243 team average. Despite that, they continued to hit the fourth-most home runs, with 213 of them. There's no way players like Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies, etc. will have all have a down season again.
Ronald Acuña Jr. will also return in May, and depending on how healthy he is, he will boost the offense even more. However, the Braves have built incredible outfield depth because of this. They recently signed former Yankee Alex Verdugo on a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Atlanta is now armed with Verdugo, Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz, and Eli White as reserve options.
The outfield looks pretty strong with Profar, Harris, and Kelenic/De La Cruz. Adding Acuna back is going to be huge and provide the team with one of baseball's most dependable defensive cores.
Riley has been one of the most consistent hitters in the lineup when he's healthy. He averages around 20 doubles, 30 homers, and 90 RBI in the campaigns where he avoids injury. Look for Atlanta's third baseman to have a big season.
They'll also finally get a look at their top prospect, Drake Baldwin. Baldwin made the Opening Day roster thanks to Sean Murphy's injury early in spring training. He is a consistent bat with great plate discipline. Braves ace Chris Sale has also sung his praises for Baldwin's ability behind the plate.
There is a lot of promise with the 2025 Atlanta Braves, but health will be the number one factor to keep an eye on. If they can keep their big names on the field, there's no doubt the Braves are one of the best teams in baseball.