The Atlanta Braves need to have a big season out of their core to make up for a rough showing in 2025. Health was a massive factor for the team last season, on both sides of the ball. Ozzie Albies was one such victim of the injury bug in 2024 with a toe fracture and a left wrist fracture. He was healthy for most of 2025, as he appeared in 157 games for the Braves. Unfortunately, his season ended prematurely with a fractured left hamate on September 22nd.
However, the good news was that he was healthy for all but five games. The bad news is that he underperformed a good bit. Albies had a slash line of .240/.306/.365 with 145 hits, including 23 doubles, 16 homers, 74 RBI, and an underwhelming 89 OPS+. His slugging was way down, and he didn't get on base nearly enough. His walk rate was respectable at 8.2%, but that's not enough for a guy who can steal bases.
Albies continued to excel in not striking out a lot. He struck out less than 100 times last season and carried an impressive 14.1% strikeout rate. Atlanta's second baseman also excelled in whiff percentage (20.8) and squared up percentage (28.4).
If he had been able to cut down on his chase rate, he may have had a great season. He just struggled to barrel the ball and made a ton of soft contact. His launch angle was also fairly bad, and that's a stat he crushed in 2023, when he had arguably his best offensive season. Thankfully, Albies will have a chance to see if he can return to form in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Ozzie Albies needs to show Braves fans something during the World Baseball Classic
Albies will get the chance to play in his first World Baseball Classic this season, and hopefully, that will allow him to get back on the right track for the Braves. He needs to have a huge season in 2026. Playing in highly competitive games like that can bring out the best in any player. We saw that in 2023 when Ronald Acuna Jr. won the NL MVP, the same season he played in the WBC.
The only thing Atlanta needs to be wary of is him being injured in a game. That would be the last thing the Braves want to deal with this season. They're already hanging on by a thread in the pitching department.
If he's able to come out of the WBC unscathed, fans could see a focused Albies at the start of the 2026 season. He is a big part of this clubhouse, and the team needs him to be at his best. He has one club option remaining before he hits free agency. It would be nice to see him make the final two years memorable.