This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman’s Braves Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.
ATLANTA — The Braves aren’t saying “World Collection or bust” this yr. However there’s little doubt they imagine they’re greater than able to successful all of it for the second time in 5 seasons.
What must go proper? Keep healthyThe roster building gave the 2024 Braves an opportunity to be one of many strongest golf equipment in franchise historical past. However six of 10 Opening Day contributors missed not less than two months due to an damage. It will probably’t occur two seasons in a row, proper? As soon as Strider returns in April, the Braves may have one of many sport’s finest rotations. Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach proved extra sturdy than anticipated final yr. Can they do it once more? Atlanta’s offense was one of many strongest baseball has seen in 2023. Final yr’s lineup was by no means actually complete. However as soon as Acuña joins Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna on the high of the lineup this yr, this might as soon as once more be an electrical offense.
What’s the nice unknown? Bullpen depthRaisel Iglesias is among the sport’s finest closers and Pierce Johnson has proven the power to be a dependable setup man. However with Joe Jimenez set to overlook most or all of this season and A.J. Minter now a Met, the Braves might want to change two of their finest relievers from the 2024 season. Can Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer show efficient in high-leverage roles? Will Héctor Neris’ expertise show beneficial? Was Enyel De Los Santos’ spectacular spring a sign he’ll take pleasure in a productive summer season? Will Craig Kimbrel rekindle the success he had in Atlanta a decade in the past? The Braves have created skilled depth with the late additions of Neris and Kimbrel. Now, they need to hope the depth helps erase the issues surrounding this aid corps.
Workforce MVP: Austin RileyFive months of Acuña will put him in consideration, however that is the yr that every thing will come collectively for Riley. The third baseman will take pleasure in his first 40-homer season and win his first Gold Glove Award.
Workforce Cy Younger Award: Chris SaleFive and a half months of Strider will put him in consideration, however so long as Sale stays wholesome, he’ll make a powerful bid for a second straight NL Cy Younger Award. However even after lacking the season’s first couple weeks, Strider will nonetheless lead the Majors in strikeouts.
Daring prediction: Michael Harris II may have a 30/30 seasonHarris is making ready for what’s simply his fifth full season above the highschool stage. He’s already gained an NL Rookie of the Yr Award and has confirmed to be one of many sport’s high defensive middle fielders. Accidents have restricted him in each of the previous two seasons, however that is the yr he’ll keep wholesome and can again a 30-homer season with 30-plus steals.
