Braves Season Predictions: Acuna, Olson, Riley and More

As Braves pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, last season’s struggles fade into the background. Fans can’t help but dream a little about what this year might bring.

This article breaks down the Braves’ talent-rich roster and the injury and consistency questions looming over camp. There’s also a slate of bold projections that could shape Atlanta’s path back to the playoff spotlight.

From Ronald Acuña Jr.’s electric athleticism to Spencer Strider’s evolving arsenal, the pieces on the roster are compelling. Sometimes they seem a little fragile, but that’s baseball.

Spring Training Sparks Optimism Amid Injury Questions

In Florida and Georgia, the mood is buoyed by an avalanche of high-ceiling performers. These are players who can swing games with one swing or one pitch.

But the path to another surge really depends on staying healthy. The team needs to make smart adjustments after a tougher 2023 stretch.

Braves fans are hoping for a year where consistency and timely development matter most. Can a playoff push become a real run this time?

The next chapter brings a familiar tension. The lineup is loaded with star power, but past injuries and the need for sharper platoons and improved defense remain.

Honestly, the optimism feels practical as much as aspirational. It’s a balancing act—elite talent, but always those durability concerns in the background.

Top Storylines and Bold Projections for the Braves

• Ronald Acuña Jr. – He’s the face of the franchise, and honestly, you just don’t see athletes like him very often. If his ACL rehab stays on track and he keeps up the wild pace, some folks think he could even reach that elusive 40/40 mark.
• Matt Olson – Since 2018, Olson’s been one of baseball’s most steady power bats. If he comes out swinging this year, he might push himself right back into MVP talks, especially with the Braves’ lineup clicking around him.
• Austin Riley – He’s already shown his 30-homer power early in his career. Injuries—hand, abdominal—knocked him off rhythm, but with health and timing back, 30 bombs feels realistic again.
• Ozzie Albies – Wrist and hamate issues made for a rough patch. Still, after the All-Star break, he flashed enough power to suggest a 30-homer season isn’t out of reach if he’s finally healthy and confident at the plate.
• Jurickson Profar – Profar came back from an 80-game PED suspension and started hot, but faded as the season wore on. The real question: do we get the dynamic table-setter, or does he settle into something more average?
• Spencer Strider – Strider, after elbow surgery, lost some velocity and bite on his slider. He’s added a curveball, though, and if his command keeps improving, he could really take a step forward as a complete pitcher.
• Michael Harris II – Harris brings that mix of flash and athleticism you just don’t see every day. He struggled with the bat early but then posted a wild 1.139 OPS for a stretch and finished strong, so a 30/30 season doesn’t sound crazy if he keeps that late-season approach.

This Braves squad looks built to go off offensively if everyone stays healthy. But you know how it goes—everything depends on durability and whether the mix of veterans and younger guys can turn all that talent into real results.

Spring results might not tell you everything, but they can hint at what’s coming. If the bullpen really is deeper, the lineup stays on the field, and Strider’s new wrinkle clicks, maybe this season surprises even the most jaded fans. After all these years covering Atlanta, I can’t help but wonder—will this be the year health finally lets them show everything they’ve got?

 
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