The 2025 season was a weird one for the Atlanta Braves. If you just glanced at the final 76-86 record, you’d probably assume the wheels fell off entirely. But baseball is funny like that. Sometimes the box score lies to you, or at least it doesn't give you the full picture of what actually happened on the dirt at Truist Park.
Everyone expected a juggernaut. Instead, we got a year of "what ifs" and "almosts."
The Matt Olson Iron Man Show
Honestly, Matt Olson is basically a machine at this point. While the rest of the roster was shuffling in and out of the trainer's room, Olson suited up for all 162 games. He didn't just show up; he produced. He ended the year with 29 home runs and 95 RBIs.
Sure, those aren't the historic 54-homer numbers from a couple of years back, but he was the glue. His .272 batting average was actually a significant jump from his 2024 struggles, and he led the team in almost every major category including runs created (114.16) and doubles (41).
You’ve gotta respect the consistency. When the lineup was thin, Olson was the guy teams refused to pitch to, yet he still managed a .366 on-base percentage, largely because he led the team with 91 walks.
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Ronald Acuña Jr. and the "What If" Factor
The biggest story of the year—and the one that probably kept Braves fans up at night—was the return of Ronald Acuña Jr. After that devastating ACL tear in 2024, nobody knew if "El De La Sabana" would still have that same twitch.
He didn't make his debut until May 23.
When he did come back, he looked... different. But good different. He wasn't stealing 70 bases anymore (he finished with 9 steals in 95 games), but he was absolutely tattooing the ball. He finished with a .290 average and 21 home runs in just over half a season. If you extrapolate those atlanta braves batting stats over a full 162-game schedule, you’re looking at a 35-homer, 100-RBI season.
Statcast data showed he was actually hitting the ball harder than ever. He significantly lowered his ground ball rate, trading those chopped infield rollers for fly balls and line drives. He was named NL Player of the Week in mid-June and basically carried the offense for a month straight.
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The Drake Baldwin Surprise
If you didn't have "rookie catcher becomes offensive centerpiece" on your 2025 bingo card, you weren't alone. Drake Baldwin was supposed to be a depth piece. Instead, he forced his way into the lineup and stayed there.
He played 124 games, hitting .274 with 19 home runs.
That’s elite production for a catcher. In fact, among Braves hitters with at least 400 plate appearances, Baldwin’s .810 OPS was second only to Olson and Acuña. He basically made Marcell Ozuna’s slump hurt a little less.
Key Braves Hitting Leaders (2025)
- Batting Average: Ronald Acuña Jr. (.290)
- Home Runs: Matt Olson (29)
- RBIs: Matt Olson (95)
- OPS: Ronald Acuña Jr. (.935)
- Stolen Bases: Michael Harris II (20)
Why the Team Stats Dipped
So, if Olson was great and Acuña was back, why did the Braves finish 4th in the NL East? Basically, the depth wasn't there. The team's overall .245 batting average ranked 17th in the league. They weren't the powerhouse they used to be.
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Marcell Ozuna had a rough ride. After an MVP-caliber 2024, "The Big Bear" struggled to find his timing. He hit 21 homers, which sounds okay, but his .232 average and a massive power drought in August and September really stalled the offense. He went 33 games without a home run at one point. That’s a long time for your primary DH to go quiet.
Austin Riley also had a weird, injury-shortened year. He only played 102 games and finished with 16 home runs. His .737 OPS was the lowest of his career since he became a full-time starter. When you lose that much production from the hot corner, it’s hard to win 90 games.
The Speed Problem
The Braves used to be a threat on the basepaths. In 2025? Not so much. They finished 26th in MLB with only 82 stolen bases.
Michael Harris II led the team with 20, but even he struggled to get on base consistently, finishing with a .268 OBP. It’s hard to steal when you aren't reaching first. The team was built for the long ball, but when the home runs dropped from 307 (in 2023) to 190 (in 2025), the lack of a "Plan B" on offense became glaringly obvious.
Actionable Insights for Braves Fans
If you're looking at these stats and wondering what's next, keep an eye on these three things:
- Acuña’s Second Year Post-Surgery: Historically, players see a massive jump in their second full year back from an ACL tear. Expect the stolen base numbers to climb back toward 25-30 in 2026.
- The Catcher Situation: With Drake Baldwin’s breakout, the Braves have a "good" problem. They have Sean Murphy and Baldwin both needing starts. This makes one of them a massive trade chip for a starting pitcher or a high-OBP outfielder this winter.
- Walk Rates: The one bright spot was the team's 9.3% walk rate, which was 3rd best in the National League. They are still seeing the ball well; they just aren't punishing mistakes like they used to. If Riley and Ozuna bounce back to their career averages, this offense will jump back into the top 5 almost overnight.
The foundation is still there. Olson doesn't break, Acuña is hitting the ball harder than anyone in the league, and they found a future star in Baldwin. 76 wins was a punch in the gut, but the underlying numbers suggest a 2026 rebound is more likely than a total rebuild.