The Atlanta Braves offense was historic in the 2023 regular season. By seasons end, Atlanta had four players reach the 100 RBI plateau. The top five leaders were as followed: Matt Olson (139), Ozzie Albies (109), Ronald Acuna Jr. (106), Marcell Ozuna (100), and Austin Riley (97). As a team, the Braves drove in 916 runs last year, which was the fourth most by a team in a single season since the year 2000.
Not much has changed in regards to the lineup in 2024. Outside of Jarred Kelenic being the new everyday left fielder, this Braves lineup should be similarly constructed to how it was last year. With that said, how elite can Atlanta be offensively in 2024? Which hitters will drive in the most runs? We gave you our best guess on the Braves strikeout leaders in 2024, now we do the same with runs driven in.
Matt Olson - ZiPS projection 116 RBI
It's hard to pick against the reigning MLB home run and RBI champ in this case. Olson was otherworldly in 2024, so even if he regresses a hair he still should clear that 100 RBI mark with ease. Olson is also one of the most durable players in all of baseball, playing in every game four out of the last six seasons.
54 homers and 139 RBI will be hard to repeat, but don't put anything past Olson. He has firmly established himself as one of the most feared sluggers in all of baseball, and we don't see much changing in 2024.
Austin Riley - ZiPS projection 103 RBI
Yesterday, we wrote how Austin Riley could be on his was to an MVP award if he continues to trend the way he has these past few seasons. All Riley really needs is a faster start. Normally, it isn't until the summer months when Riley takes off. Starting faster in 2024 would go a long way in moving him up the MLB runs driven in leaderboard.
BAH GAWD THAT’S AUSTIN RILEY’S MUSIC#AsOneATL pic.twitter.com/ZHX9oqIrGf
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 10, 2023
Ronald Acuña Jr. - ZiPS projection 116 RBI
You may be surprised to learn that someone not named Matt Olson is projected to lead the team in home runs and RBI via Fangraphs ZiPS. What you won't be surprised about is the fact that it is the reigning NL MVP projected to do so.
Although, Ronald is the Braves leadoff hitter, he is still projected for monster numbers because of how often he hits the ball hard, and how much he cut his strikeout rate last season. Most of the pessimistic projections have Ronald finishing with at least a 30/30 season. He'll need some help from the bottom of the order to lead the team, but regardless we expect Ronald to drive himself in plenty of times in 2024.
Ozzie Albies - ZiPS projection 97 RBI
We don't know if he'll stick there for the entire 162 game season, but at the very least Ozzie Albies is going to be hitting in one of the most envious spots in all of baseball. That being sandwiched between perhaps the best player in baseball batting leadoff, and two absolute powerhouse sluggers batting behind him.
That leads you to believe Ozzie will see his fair share of fastballs in 2024. That would be ideal, as Albies slugged .599 and had a .409 wOBA against the heat last season.
Michael Harris II - ZiPS projection 79 RBI
The last spot in our RBI leaders predictions really came down to two parties. MH2 and the big bear Marcell Ozuna. While Ozuna did drive in 100 last season, we are all in on Michael Harris II in 2024. Money Mike isn't projected to light the world on fire with the bat via ZiPS (just a 109 wRC+ from them), but we think there is plenty more in the tank than that.
A lot like Austin Riley, the Braves centerfielder could benefit greatly from a better first couple of months in 2024. If Spring Training is any indication, it seems MH2 is ready to take off this season. It should also benefit Harris that he will no longer be the nine hole hitter on this team. Instead, that distinction will belong to Jarred Kelenic, at least at season's beginning according to manager Brian Snitker.
Michael Harris II - Atlanta Braves (3)* pic.twitter.com/ga7sxSMUn7
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) March 7, 2024
Slotting Harris into that 5-7 range in the lineup will certainly produce more RBI opportunities for the young man. That should bode well for Harris, who was one of the clutchest regular season hitters in the lineup last season, with an OPS over 1.000 and 162 wRC+ in high leverage situations.