4 Braves who should have larger role in 2025, 3 who should definitely not
Some Braves have proven they need more opportunities next season, while some fans would rather see less of.
It's been a rollercoaster year for many Braves in 2024. While some players have exceeded expectations, many others have fallen short. For Atlanta to comeback better in 2025, they are going to have to adjust who they run out on the field on a nightly basis.
This season has a few breakout candidates who have earned more opportunities in the future. Here are four Braves we want to see more of next season.
4 Braves who fans want to see more of in 2025
Drake Baldwin
The fifth ranked prospect on the Braves top 30 list, catcher Drake Baldwin has surged through the system in 2024. In 67 games with Triple-A Gwinnett, Baldwin has a .291/.403/.480 slash line and 133 wRC+.
His advanced plate discipline (15.8 BB% and K% in Triple-A) and opposite-field power are becoming hard to overlook. His impressive tools at the plate earned him a nod to the futures game this season.
Sean Murphy has underperformed in 2024 and should that continue into next season giving Baldwin a shot isn't the worst idea. Regardless, if Murphy rebounds in 2025 it shouldn't close the door on Baldwin. Should Baldwin continue to hit with Gwinnett the Braves may be forced to find a spot for him somewhere.
Dylan Lee
One of the most underrated relievers in baseball, Dylan Lee has been awesome during his Braves career. 2024 has been no different, as Lee has been lights out for much of the year. He owns a 1.91 ERA, 2.72 FIP, and 0.9 fWAR.
Lee ranks in the 99th percentile in xERA (2.49), 98th percentile in chase% (36.1%), 98th percentile in whiff% (37.8%), and 97th percentile in hard-hit% (30..4%) via Baseball Savant. Yet somehow he's been deployed as a low-leverage type arm for the majority of the season.
Next year we want to see Lee in more high-leverage spots, because he's certainly earned it. Should A.J. Minter depart in free agency, Lee feels like the best candidate to handle those late inning leads that had been trusted to Minter for so long.
AJ Smith-Shawver
A couple of rotation spots could be up for grabs entering 2025. Charlie Morton is expected to retire after the season, and Max Fried could be too expensive for the Braves to bring back. This is where one of the promising young arms have to step up for Atlanta.
#Braves No. 2 prospect AJ Smith-Shawver has 20 strikeouts in his last three outings, allowing five runs over 18 innings.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/ujZl0BkZ7J
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) September 17, 2024
This season the Braves got a huge boost from Spencer Schwellenbach. Next year they need one of the other two top prospects to entrecnh themselves into the rotation. AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep will likely battle for that final rotation spot in the Spring.
Each prospect have their own upside, but as of right now AJSS seems to be further along in his development. 2024 for a big year for Smith-Shawver and Waldrep as each have battled injury and inconsistency. However, next year could be a big opportunity for each rising arm.
Aaron Bummer
Another case of a bullpen arm being underutilized, Aaron Bummer has quietly had a solid 2024 campaign. He's one of the best relievers at limiting hard contact (100th percentile in barrel%), although the BABIP luck doesn't always go his way.
It's part of the reason his 3.64 ERA is almost a full-run higher than his 2.65 xERA. Unfortunately, Bummer hasn't shined in his limited chances in high-leverage. That small sample size doesn't scare us however, and we think Bummer has earned a bigger role in 2025.
Hopefully with a few open bullpen alterations in 2025, Bummer will find himself pitching in a more important role.
Now we get to the hard part of this article. As we know more than a few Braves players have had down years in 2024. So finding guys who should see a smaller role wasn't much of a challenge. However, these three players in particular need to have their playing time scaled back in 2025.
3 Braves who fans want to see less of in 2025
Orlando Arcia
The Braves shortstop has been downright dreadful in 2024. His 74 wRC+ ranks as the second worst mark among qualified hitters in MLB. While he still plays an excellent defense, Arcia has cost the Braves numerous times in run-scoring chances.
His RISP numbers are some of the worst in baseball, and his plate discipline leaves a lot to be desired. Simply put, the Braves need to upgrade the offense in 2025 and shortstop is the easiest spot to do so. Arcia's cheap contract makes it easier to facilitate a move to the bench.
Arcia’s .438 OPS with RISP is by far the worst in the majors among qualified hitters. https://t.co/oHL0iFIZdg
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 17, 2024
Jarred Kelenic
The young outfielder was acquired last offseason with the hope he could reach his full potential with Atlanta. Kelenic had his moments in 2024, but it hasn't exactly gone how the Braves had hoped. The same problems Kelenic has battled in his career continue to plague him with the Braves.
When the Braves traded for Kelenic they planned to run him out in left field everyday. However, things went differently and when struggles plagued the Braves offense they had to adjust. Kelenic still can provide value to Atlanta next year, but a stronger outfield could push him into the fourth outfielder role.
Travis d'Arnaud
Finally, we discuss the beloved Braves backstop. Travis d'Arnaud has been more than fine serving as the Braves backstop these past few years. He's accepted a lesser role once Alex Anthopoulos traded for Sean Murphy, but his production hasn't fallen off as a result.
This has nothing to do with Travis' performance, but rather that the Braves need to get more bang for their buck with Sean Murphy. Murphy And given d'Arnaud's age it's not the worst idea to lessen his workload in 2025.
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