The Atlanta Braves enter the 2026 season with one of the most talented rosters in baseball-but that alone won’t punch their ticket to October. After a frustrating 2025 campaign derailed by injuries and inconsistency, the Braves are hoping a healthier, more stable year puts them back where they believe they belong: in the postseason. In a loaded NL East, though, nothing comes easy.
Last season was a grind from the jump. Atlanta stumbled out of the gate with an 0-7 start, getting swept by both the Padres and Dodgers in April.
They never fully recovered, finishing 76-86 and watching the postseason from home. Even the Marlins ended up ahead of them in the standings, and with Miami’s young core continuing to develop, there’s a real chance we see four NL East teams in the playoff hunt this year.
The Phillies remain a perennial threat, and the revamped Mets are expected to be in the mix as well.
But don’t count out Atlanta. This is still a team with championship DNA.
Ronald Acuña Jr. remains the centerpiece, and when he’s healthy, he’s not just one of the best players in the league-he’s an MVP-level force who can change a game with a single swing or a single sprint. If he stays on the field in 2026, the Braves’ ceiling rises dramatically.
Around Acuña, the Braves are stacked with familiar names and proven talent. Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Michael Harris II form a core that’s as dangerous as any in the league.
Veteran additions like Mike Yastrzemski and Jurickson Profar bring depth and versatility, while Eli White adds speed and defensive value. One name not expected back?
Marcell Ozuna, who remains a free agent and doesn’t appear to be in Atlanta’s plans moving forward.
Behind the plate, the Braves suddenly have a crowded and intriguing situation. Drake Baldwin, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, is expected to take over the starting catcher role.
His breakout 2025 season put him on the map as one of the most promising young backstops in the game. Sean Murphy, once the starter, is working his way back from injury and will likely slide into a backup role once healthy.
In the meantime, the Braves added Jonah Heim, who brings experience and will serve as Baldwin’s primary backup to start the season. Also keep an eye on Sandy León, a rising name in the organization.
This group gives Atlanta both depth and flexibility at a critical position.
But perhaps the most intriguing battle heading into spring training is at shortstop. With Ha-Seong Kim sidelined until May, the Braves will need to choose between Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo to hold down the position-and that decision could have ripple effects across the entire roster.
Dubón is the steady hand. He’s a true utility man-capable of playing all over the diamond-and brings a level of consistency and leadership that teams crave, especially when dealing with early-season uncertainty.
He’s not going to wow you with power, but his .257 career average and .669 OPS reflect a player who can put the ball in play, run well, and play solid defense. He’s the type of player managers love: reliable, versatile, and team-first.
If the injury bug bites again, Dubón becomes even more valuable as a plug-and-play option across multiple positions.
Mateo, on the other hand, is the wild card with upside. He’s one of the fastest players in the game-yes, even faster than Dubón-and has shown flashes of offensive potential.
His 2022 season with the Orioles offered a glimpse: 13 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 35 stolen bases. But the strikeouts have been a problem, with 147 K’s in 494 at-bats that year, and that trend hasn’t improved much since.
The Orioles declined his option, and now he finds himself in Atlanta with a shot to prove he belongs.
The Braves brought in Mateo to compete with Dubón and to bridge the gap until Kim returns. If Mateo can show growth at the plate this spring, he could win the job outright.
His speed makes him a weapon at the bottom of the lineup, potentially setting the table for Acuña and the top of the order. But if the bat doesn’t come around, it’s hard to see him overtaking Dubón’s all-around reliability.
As for Kim, the Braves will be counting the days until his return. He’s one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, with a Gold Glove from his time with the Padres and three more from his KBO days.
His glove alone makes him a difference-maker, and once healthy, he’s expected to reclaim the starting job. But injuries have slowed what was shaping up to be a strong MLB career, and the Braves will need to manage his return carefully.
All told, this Braves team has the pieces to contend-and contend seriously. The key will be staying healthy and finding the right mix early in the season.
If Acuña is flying, Baldwin continues his rise, and the shortstop situation stabilizes, Atlanta could be right back in the thick of the playoff race. The NL East won’t make it easy, but the Braves aren’t just trying to survive-they’re looking to reclaim their place among the league’s elite.