April was a rollercoaster for Atlanta Braves fans. The club's Opening Day plans had already been obliterated thanks to the suspension of newcomer Jurickson Profar, leaving the outfield a huge question mark. Shortstop was also immediately worrisome, as Orlando Arica struggled from the start of the year (and well before that if we are being honest).
However, 30 days later, these questions seemed to have been answered, at least for now, producing three big winners and two big losers on the Braves for the month of April.
3 Braves players who definitely won in April
Eli White
Eli White was likely one of the last members to make the 2025 Opening Day roster, and he only did so thanks to a scorching spring training. Still, through the Braves first 23 games of the season, he had only accumulated 20 plate appearances, largely appearing as a defensive replacement.
That all changed when he got that start against the Cardinals in the series finale, hitting a clutch three-run homer that eventually became the game winner.
Since then, the 30-year-old speedy outfielder hasn't sat, and ended the month with the second-highest wRC+ on the team among players with at least 20 plate appearances. White slashed .311/.367/.600, which coupled with great base running and solid defense, has given him at least a longer leash in right field until Ronald Acuña Jr. returns.
Not bad for someone who barely made the roster.
Nick Allen
When the Braves acquired Nick Allen from the Athletics, there was little fanfare for a light hitting shortstop who had a career 53 wRC+, the second-lowest in baseball over the three seasons he played since debuting.
The thought was that he would be a solid glove on the bench, but that his bat wouldn't be enough to supplant Orlando Arcia from the starting shortstop role. This quickly proved to be wrong.
While Allen hasn't suddenly turned into a star at the plate, his 93 wRC+ (.292/.346/.333) has been more than enough for him to essentially take over as the everyday guy. He's played elite defense, leading all shortstops in Outs Above Average.
Alex Verdugo
Alex Verdugo has essentially been everything the Braves were hoping to get out of Profar. Signing for just $1.5 million this March, Verdugo, like Allen, came with little fanfare especially after a mediocre season with the Yankees. He signed so late in spring training, it seemed like no one even wanted him until the Braves came calling.
However, since he came up on April 17, he has really jumpstarted the offense. The nine-year veteran has slashed .341/.396/.455 out of the leadoff spot, taking his walks and hardly striking out. He's been exactly what the Braves have needed out of the leadoff spot.
Losers
Jarred Kelenic
Kelenic needed to prove himself coming into the 2025 season. The Braves knew Acuña Jr. would return at some point in May, and with Profar in left, there didn't seem to be a spot for him. When Profar was suspended at the end of March, it looked like it would be Kelenic's big chance to prove himself and show he was worthy of playing time.
Unfortunately, Kelenic's performance never got off the ground. Aside from drawing a few more walks, the frustrating lefty seemed like he literally couldn't hit the ball, riding a 35.4% strikeout rate, and had a .167/.231/.300 slash line.
Once Eli White started getting playing time and proved to be the hot hand, Atlanta decided they'd rather go with a familiar face who hadn't done much of anything over the last two seasons than stick with Kelenic, sending him to the minors.
Orlando Arcia
After a historically bad season last year, Orlando Arcia hoped to prove that with a little less pressure on him to be a source of offense, he could sit back and be the defensively sound shortstop with a decent bat that he had been in 2023.
But quickly, the Braves found out that would not be the case. In addition to his offense not playing well, finishing April with a .200/.226/.233 slashline in 31 plate appearances, his defense also seemed to slide. Despite only playing 10 games, Arcia has been worth -1 OAA.
Unless something happens with Allen, it's hard to imagine Orlando Arcia to get much playing time going forward, and it seems like that's a fate Arcia has already accepted.