If media and fans around baseball were to be polled it's likely many of them wouldn't hesitate to name the Dodgers as the strongest team in Major League Baseball. However, despite the superstar galore that resides on the defending champs roster, the Atlanta Braves have an argument of their own.
In fact, the latest rankings of the top 100 players for 2025 from Baseball America had the Braves above the Dodgers. Normally, when you see BA's work, you're catching up on the latest exciting prospects around the league. Despite the Braves lacking in the prospect department, Baseball America showcased a ton of respect for the Major League product in Atlanta. They named NINE different Braves on their top 100 to lead all of baseball, barely edging out the Dodgers who finished with eight.
We ranked the MLB's top 100 players in 2025.
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) March 14, 2025
These are the teams with the most MLB 100 players 👀@Braves (9)@Dodgers (8)@astros (8)@Padres (6)https://t.co/y0WDLX8hes pic.twitter.com/g2yfOPuVGc
Ronald Acuña Jr. tops Braves rankings on Baseball America top 100 list
Unsurprisingly, the 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. was the highest ranked Brave coming in at number 15. In last year's version of this same list Acuña Jr. was the top ranked player in baseball. However, because of last year's injury and some guy named Shohei Ohtani he's slipped a bit in baseball's pecking order.
Next up was third baseman Austin Riley who ranks 22nd this year. In the previous two BA rankings Riley was a top 20 player. However, an injury shortened 2024 caused him to slide a bit as well. Thankfully, Riley looks to have avoided another wrist injury yesterday and can began his ascension back up the rankings.
Perhaps the most talented five-tool player on the Braves comes in at number 39, Michael Harris II. Money Mike feels like he can only rise on this list, all he's missing is a full healthy season, and a little more plate discipline. The reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale followed MH2 in the list with his number 40 placement. Perhaps another triple crown will be enough to get him in the top 30.
Slugging first baseman Matt Olson is next to appear, sliding down 50 spots to 66th this season. This comes on the heels of a record setting season in 2023 so a down year in 2024 certainly justifies this drop off.
The mustached flamethrower Spencer Strider comes in at number 83 after missing most of 2024 with elbow surgery. Strider is entering his age 26 season and expected to hit the ground running once he is cleared to return to the big league club.
Sean Murphy maintained his place on the rankings despite the worst season of his big league career in 2024. Murphy slid down to 89th on this year's list, and will once again be on the injured list before the calendar flips to April.
Fast rising RHP Spencer Schwellenbach makes his BA top 100 debut with a placement at 91. Should Schwellenbach pitch like he did in 2024 he has nowhere to go but up on next years rankings. Finally, claiming the very last spot on the list is veteran second baseman Ozzie Albies.
Certainly there are arguments to be made for players like Marcell Ozuna and Jurickson Profar, but once you account for baserunning and fielding (as Baseball America does) you can see why nine Braves making the list feels more than fair.