In 2025, the Atlanta Braves come into the season projected as a powerhouse. After the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Braves were the second most likely team to win the World Series. The problem? Well, the Braves are far from even sniffing the Wild Card, as Atlanta is now 11 games below .500. It’s not just by coincidence either, the Braves have many evident problems.
The Braves are Performing Well Below Expectations
Not Many of Atlanta’s Stars Have Showed Up
Atlanta led the league in homers and average in 2023, and in 2025, Atlanta ranks 21st in both categories. The Braves are a good team, but here’s a quick comparison of the 2025 and 2023 seasons from Atlanta’s struggling stars:
2023: .293, 18 HR, 57 RBI .808 OPS
2025: .210, 6 HR, 43 RBI, .552 OPS
2023: .280, 33 HR, 109 RBI, .849 OPS
2025: .222, 6 HR, 28 RBI, .606 OPS
2023: .281, 37 HR, 97 RBI, .861 OPS
2025: .273. 13 HR, 45 RBI, .756 OPS
2023: .283, 54 HR, 139 RBI, .993 OPS
2025: .267, 17 HR, 58 RBI, .858 OPS
Some players have performed well in 2025. But every player has performed worse on the list than in the fantastic 2023 season for Atlanta. Of course, you shouldn’t expect to have a career year every year. However, some of these players like Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris have fallen off a cliff offensively. Not many of Atlanta’s stars have gotten close to their unbelievable historic 2023 season.
Of course, when you perform that poorly, then there aren’t many games that your team will win. The Braves are now 4th in the NL East and are even behind the Miami Marlins. Oof..
Injuries Have Also Been an Issue
The rotation has been absolutely hammered by injuries, in addition to the already underperforming team. Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Sawyer, and Reynaldo Lopez are all on the IL. Spencer Strider looks uncharacteristically awful, part the reason also because Strider has been on the IL several times this season. Only Grant Holmes is a reliable starter at the moment- which isn’t sustainable. Now, there is an open spot in the rotation in addition to already having the young Didier Fuentes in the rotation and having the struggling Bryce Elder.
Underperformance from many stars has been a big issue, of course, for Atlanta, but so have the injuries. Atlanta has been hammered hard by injury, especially the rotation. Now, Atlanta’s chances of making a playoff push are very low, as there remain few reliable starters and Atlanta is 11 games below .500. It isn’t over, but it is starting to feel like it for the Braves.
The Braves’ 2025 Collapse: From World Series Favorites to Trade Deadline Sellers
As a result, the Braves are now quite likely to sell. Not Ronald Acuna Jr. or Matt Olson though. Since Atlanta still has a ton of talent on the IL, the Braves know that 2026 could be a different year and will not trade massive pieces. However, keep an eye on Marcell Ozuna and Sean Murphy. Ozuna is a free agent after this season and with Drake Baldwin, Atlanta might as well see what Murphy can offer. With Acuna, Baldwin, and other young stars on the team, Atlanta may try to rebuild around a younger team. Atlanta isn’t New York, Alex Anthopoulos isn’t fond of spending a lot. The Braves GM may see many players as an unnecessary expense.
Ozuna, Murphy, and others are beginning to age and are no longer in their prime. There really is no point in holding on to certain players with the way the season has gone for Atlanta. Many teams in need of DH’s or even catchers may provide a big return for Atlanta. This season has been one of the strangest in recent years for Atlanta. However, the sudden disappointment has had it’s reasons. Atlanta has struggled offensively while many of it’s stars haven’t done anything to help.
As for the rotation, the IL has been the biggest issue. Hopefully for Atlanta, 2025 is just one bad season for the team. The Braves will definitely hope for a better season in the coming years and will probably sell this season. So far in 2025, there hasn’t been much to cheer about for Braves fans. Should Atlanta shop for young players at the deadline, or should they decide to wait until 2026?
Main Image: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
