2025 MLB First-Half Recap: Atlanta Braves

The Pitching

The Good

Welcome back, Ronald Acuna Jr.

Acuna Jr. hit the ground running in 2025, a stark comparison from his unusually down year in 2022 after knee surgery recovery. Over his first 193 plate appearances (up until the All-Star break), Acuna Jr. slashed .323/.435/.590 (1.025 OPS) with 12 home runs and 19 extra-base hits.

He’s one of six Braves to be in the double-digits in home runs (as of 7/21). Matt Olson is closing in on another 20+ home run season, while Sean Murphy is back on track after an injury-riddled 2024 season. Murphy’s been part of a strong tandem behind the plate alongside fellow catcher, rookie Drake Baldwin.

As for Atlanta’s pitching staff, it’s been a complicated season. The Braves have dealt with ups and downs in their bullpen, particularly with closer Raisel Iglesias. However, their rotation — despite issues which will be touched on later — has been a strength.

Spencer Strider is back to his strikeout ways, even though his pre-internal brace velocity has not returned just yet. Spencer Schwellenbach (133 ERA+) and Chris Sale (164 ERA+) were both excellent when healthy, while Grant Holmes has been a great find.

Holmes, a 2014 first-round pick, didn’t make his MLB debut until last season. The right-hander worked well as a spot starter/long man but has been needed in the rotation this year. Despite leading the NL in total walks (52), Holmes’ hard slider has been a terrific weapon.

It’s helped power him to 121 strikeouts over his first 111 innings.

The Bad

Much like the Diamondbacks, the team Atlanta beat out for a playoff spot on the final day plus one last season, the Braves have dealt with significant injury problems to their pitching staff.

Reynaldo Lopez made one start before hitting the IL. Chris Sale went on the IL in June and won’t be back until at least after the trade deadline. AJ Smith-Shawver needed season-ending elbow surgery that’ll keep him out deep into 2026. Spencer Schwellenbach, meanwhile, suffered a fractured elbow that will sideline him until September.

It’s led the Braves to look for solutions, including rookie Didier Fuentes and former All-Star Bryce Elder, to eat innings.

Additionally, the Braves’ offense — once a near-impenetrable strength — has had its problems.

Ozzie Albies, as of July 21, posted an OPS of .622, which would easily be a career-low. Shortstop Nick Allen‘s given the Braves defensive stability at short. However, Allen, who’s never been known for his offense, sports a sub-.600 OPS.

Jurickson Profar, the Braves’ marquee signing in the winter, was suspended 80 games in the first week of 2025 for PEDs.

Marcell Ozuna, meanwhile, has had what could be considered a mixed bag of a season. As of July 21, his .390 SLG is down significantly from 2024 (.546) and would be the lowest of his career since his abbreviated 2021 campaign (.356). That season saw Ozuna deal with finger fractures and then go on the restricted list after a domestic violence incident.

Lastly, Michael Harris II posted just a .551 OPS before the break.

What to Expect in the Second Half

The Braves made it clear weeks ago that the team wasn’t exactly hell-bent on selling. Chris Sale would reportedly not be made available, although that was before he suffered an injury that will keep him out until at least the middle of August.

Marcell Ozuna is a pending free agent and would make sense as a potential target for competitive teams. However, Ozuna’s been dealing with a hip injury since April, and subsequent tests revealed inflammation and, according to the slugger, a tear.

His power numbers year-to-year are down. However, he remains the team’s best trade chip.