Dominic Smith's Braves breakout could make this player very expendable

Dominic Smith has emerged as one of the most compelling stories in baseball during the early stages of the 2026 season. Initially viewed as a fringe roster candidate, the Braves’ designated hitter has delivered an impressive offensive performance, quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite in Atlanta. Following another hit on Wednesday night, Smith’s wRC+ now sits at 186—a figure that would rank among the top ten in Major League Baseball if he had accumulated enough plate appearances to qualify.

Entering the season, Smith was widely viewed as a temporary option at designated hitter—and a player who could be squeezed off the roster once the Braves returned to full health. However, his sustained performance has made that scenario increasingly difficult to envision. Instead, the focus has shifted to a more complex question: which current Braves players might lose their roster spots when Ha-Seong Kim and Sean Murphy are activated?

Why Jonah Heim could be the odd man out once some key Braves return

If Smith continues to produce at this level against right-handed pitching, there is little doubt he has a place on the Braves’ roster. That reality shifts the spotlight to the current bench group—Jonah Heim, Kyle Farmer, Eli White, and Jorge Mateo—as potential candidates to be displaced when Murphy and Kim return. Kim’s activation will almost certainly come at the expense of an infielder, likely Farmer or Mateo, but Murphy’s return presents a more complicated roster decision.

It wasn’t unreasonable to consider the possibility of carrying three catchers not long ago, but that scenario now feels far less likely in light of Smith’s emergence. At one point, it appeared Murphy and Drake Baldwin could see significant time at designated hitter; however, if Smith has solidified that role against right-handed pitching—and Murphy assumes it against left-handers—the practicality of carrying a third catcher becomes increasingly questionable, particularly when Baldwin is the only one receiving consistent playing time.

Furthermore, Heim has done little to strengthen his case with his on-field performance. Entering Thursday, he owns a 46 wRC+ and a -0.1 fWAR—marks that significantly undercut his roster viability. In contrast, Mateo and White provide added value with their baserunning, making Heim appear to be the most likely odd man out in this scenario.

Ultimately, Smith’s breakout has reshaped the Braves’ roster outlook in a matter of weeks. What once appeared to be a temporary solution at designated hitter has evolved into a legitimate everyday role, forcing difficult decisions elsewhere on the roster. With Murphy and Kim nearing returns, Atlanta will have to balance performance with positional flexibility—but if current trends hold, Smith has done more than enough to justify his place, and Heim just might be the guy to fall victim to Smith's success.

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