These Braves players are under the most pressure heading into the 2025 season

The Atlanta Braves aren't entering 2025 with many question marks on their roster. When healthy and performing to expectations, Atlanta has one of the scariest rosters in baseball. However, that doesn't mean players can coast on a subpar year in 2025 and expect to remain with the franchise going forward.

Numerous players enter this upcoming season with a chip on their shoulder. Whether it be the pressure to perform, live up to a contract, or simply remain healthy more than a few Braves players will be feeling the heat well before Atlanta's summer months. In this article our team of writers at House That Hank Built gave their thoughts on which Brave is under the most pressure to perform well in 2025.

Which Brave has the most pressure on them to perform in 2025?

Nick: Matt Olson - Freddie Freeman was an all-time Brave who many in the fanbase simply cannot let go. It doesn’t make it easier with Freeman’s postseason legend growing and winning it all in a season Olson was less productive than expected. Despite the great fit and bargain contract, many remain tepid on the deal based on who Olson is not. Olson not only carries an extreme offensive burden but a consistent and unfair comparison.

Fred: Jarred Kelenic - if he doesn’t he’s a fourth outfielder.

Steven: Ronald Acuna Jr. has a lot of pressure to prove to everyone he will still be the same caliber of player (outside of stealing bases) next season. However, I think the most pressure lies with Sean Murphy. Murph was an All-Star in 2023 but fell off in the second half. An injury on OD in 2024 derailed his entire season and he never seemed to return to full health. It caused a lot of fans to lose faith in him despite Sean being one the best catchers in baseball. He will feel pressure to prove he is still a valuable piece in the lineup.

Mitchell: This is a make or break year for Jarred Kelenic. If he can be a slightly above average hitter, he’s a lock for a roster spot in 2025. He hits like he did this year, he’ll be an easy non-tender decision.

Chase: Jurickson Profar - I’m going to go with the guy they just handed $42 million to this winter. Because he’s going to be the only position player Anthopoulos invested in this offseason, I think there will be added pressure on Profar to prove 2024 wasn’t a fluke. While I don’t think he produces quite as well as he did last season, I do believe he’ll prove he’s an upgrade over what the Braves have been running out in left field the past few seasons.

Eric: Sean Murphy - If Murphy doesn’t bounce back this coming season, Atlanta may be forced to move on from him in at least some respects despite how much money he is owed. I am firmly in the camp that injuries have messed him up the last year and a half, but another down season is going to understandably raise some questions that there is a deeper problem in play here.

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