5 Worst Hitters on Atlanta Braves in 2023

3 of 5

The Atlanta Braves have been amazing this year. They have nine hitters with a wRC+ over 100 this season. It feels like everyone has hit up and down the lineup and coming off the bench. So, to satisfy the curiosity, I have put together a list of the Braves worst hitters this season. We'll see who they are and how they compare to players on other teams around the league.

To eliminate players like Forrest Wall, or guys who have barely had a chance to step up to the plate, I made the minimum 30 plate appearances. I had to go kind of low because if I run the numbers by qualified hitters, then every single player is above average! It's incredible. For fun, let's compare that to the Yankees.

The Yankees have dealt with a lot of injuries, as it seems like they always do, so they only have four qualified hitters. Of the four qualified hitters in their lineup, only one has a wRC+ above 100. That means the Yankees' second, third, and fourth best-qualified hitters would be the three worst qualified hitters on the Braves this season.

So, we really have to reach deep to find the five worst hitters on the Braves this season. Trust me, this is not a post complaining. In an oddly worded way, this is a post to brag on how amazing the Braves' offense has been this season! It's just kind of an outside-the-box way of complimenting them.

For example, the Mets have 11 players with a minimum of 30 PAs and a wRC+ under 100 (below average), the Braves have a total of four such players. The Mets have nine players with a wRC+ under 90. The Braves have two.

The Braves' worst hitter with at least 30 PAs this season would be the Yankees' second-best. Among hitters with at least 30 PAs, he would have the sixth-highest wRC+ on the Mets out of 19 eligible players.

So, click "NEXT" to see who the Braves' number 5 worst hitter is this season.

Atlanta Braves v San Francisco Giants / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages

5. Atlanta Braves Worst Hitters in 2023 - Michael Harris II - 109 wRC+

We'll use this spot to brag about Michael Harris II. It's amazing that a player has been as good as Michael Harris II and would rank as the fifth-worst hitter with at least 30 PAs. I doubt anyone has ANY complaints about Harris' season. The only reason he finds himself at the bottom of this list is because he showed he was human early in the season.

On June 6th, Harris II was hitting just .163 and slugging .244. It's been an incredible turnaround for the sophomore center fielder. Since June 7th, Harris has been hitting .344 with a .946 OPS. In that time he has hit 10 of his 12 homers and stolen 14 of his 19 total bases.

Despite the terrible offensive start, Harris has still been able to put up very good overall numbers on the season. He is slashing .285/.332/.451. His OPS of .783 is a 109 OPS+. The 109 OPS+ matches his 109 wRC+. The Braves' fifth-worst hitter this season (min. 30 PAs) is well above the league average in OPS.

Comparing Michael Harris II to the Colorado Rockies

If you were to insert Michael Harris II into the Rockies' roster, his wRC+ would make him the fourth-best hitter out of 20 players with at least 30 PAs.

New York Mets v Atlanta Braves / Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/GettyImages

4. Atlanta Braves Worst Hitters in 2023 - Travis d'Arnaud - 96 wRC+

Another Atlanta Braves favorite finds himself on the list. I love Travis d'Arnaud as much as the next guy but I'm not the one making this list! Wait, I am the one making this list. I'm just going by the numbers. As we know, the Braves are blessed with the best 1-2 punch at catcher you could ask for. Travis d'Arnaud has been wonderfully successful with the Braves over the past few years. It's a credit to him to be willing to take a back seat to Sean Murphy. I don't just mean this season, but d'Arnaud signed up for it next year with a one-year extension for 2024.

In his fourth season with the Braves in 2023, d'Arnaud has posted a 107 OPS+ since joining Atlanta. He helped lead the Braves to a World Championship in 2021 as the primary backstop. I mean, the guy is on the cover of the USA Today Sports Weekly shown jumping into Will Smith's arms after winning the World Series. He'll forever be remembered by Atlanta Braves fans.

TDA is not having a bad season but he's not having a great season, either. There are a few factors at play. One issue might be adjusting to being the backup catcher. d'Arnaud hasn't received the same luxury as guys like Michael Harris or Marcell Ozuna this season. Those players have been provided continued playing time through prolonged slumps. They were given time to work through their issues and could trust they had time. d'Arnaud is not a full-time player this season so his at-bats are limited.

Comparing Travis d'Arnaud to Other Teams

d'Arnaud has only had 222 PAs this season but he's still managed to add nine homers, 11 doubles, and 32 RBI. Depsite being the Braves fourth-worst hitter this season, d'Arnaud would slot in as the Oakland A's fourth-best in terms of wRC+.

Despite playing in 48% of the games as Rockies catcher Elias Diaz, d'Arnaud has just four fewer homers. Among catchers, TDA would have the highest wRC+ on the Rockies by 12 points.

3. Atlanta Braves Worst Hitter in 2023 - Sam Hilliard - 93 wRC+

Sam Hilliard filled in nicely when needed at the beginning of the season. He displayed a combination of power and speed when Michael Harris II was injured. Hilliard actually played 20 games in April, finishing with some very impressive numbers for the month. In April, Hilliard slashed .296/.367/.537. In the 18 plate appearances since then, he has just one hit. His services haven't been needed and he hasn't made a major-league appearance since mid-July.

2. Atlanta Braves Worst Hitter in 2023 - Vaughn Grissom - 78 wRC+

Vaughn Grissom always has the eyes of Braves' fans. Many believed Vaughn would be the first choice as starting shortstop on Opening Day. Many were wrong as the Braves elected to go with Orlando Arcia. Orlando was hit in the hand by a pitch and had to hit the IL. That gave Vaughn his chance to come up and show everyone that 2022 was no fluke.

In 2022, Grissom his .291 with a .792 OPS in 41 games for Atlanta. This season Vaughn has actually hit .280 over 80 PAs. So, the average is not the problem, it's the complete lack of power he has showed at the major-league level this year. His .313 OBP and .347 SLG has led to a 78 OPS+.

This is a very small sample size and probably doesn't represent Grissom's potential with the bat at all! In fact, look no further than his numbers in Gwinnett this season. In 82 games, Grissom has 32 doubles, 50 RBI, 11 steals, and a .906 OPS. Don't let the small sample fool you in 2023.

San Francisco Giants v Atlanta Braves / Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/GettyImages

1. Atlanta Braves Worst Hitters in 2023 - Kevin Pillar - 68 wRC+

Kevin Pillar was brought in to provide a veteran presence off the bench and defensive relief in the outfield. In 156 plate appearances this season, Pillar has posted a .649 OPS. That's about 30% worse than the league average. He has slashed .223/.250/.399 in 64 games.

His bat was never his strongest tool but it's been pretty bad this season. Out of nine seasons with over 50 games played, this is by far Pillar's absolute worst-hitting performance. Pillar has a career OPS+ of 87 and he's a 71 this year.

Comparing PIllar to the Rockies

Of players with at least 30 PAs this year, Pillar would rank 11th out of 20 Colorado Rockies' hitters. He is the worst hitter on the Braves in 2023.

That's all we have for the five worst Braves hitters (min. 30 PAs). This list really speaks to just how good the Braves have been in 2023. Don't forget to check out some other great Braves reads with negative-sounding titles, such as Braves 4 Worst Defensive Players in 2023, 5 Reasons Braves Won't Win the World Series, or 2 FA Upgrades Over Eddie Rosario in 2024!

Home / Braves News