The coffee in the Truist Park clubhouse probably tastes a little different this morning. There’s a specific kind of tension that only exists in late January when the front office stops looking at "potential" trades and starts looking at the guys actually sitting in the locker room. Honestly, if you looked at the atlanta braves opening day roster projections back in October, you’d probably be shocked at where things stand right now.
We aren't just talking about the same old "wait and see" approach. Alex Anthopoulos has been busy.
2025 was, to put it bluntly, a weird year for Atlanta. 76 wins? A major league record 71 players used? It felt like every time a fan turned on the TV, there was a new guy in the bullpen they’d never heard of. But that chaos is exactly why the 2026 roster feels so calculated. It’s about stability, or at least the version of stability you can get when your ace is coming off a major surgery and your lineup features a few new (and a few returning) faces.
The Infield: Stability Meets a New Shortstop Reality
Matt Olson is the sun. He is always there. He played 162 games again last year, and he’ll be at first base on Opening Day 2026. No questions asked. Same goes for Austin Riley at third, now fully recovered from that abdominal strain that sidelined him late last year.
But the middle of the diamond? That's where the intrigue lives.
The Braves brought back Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year, $20 million deal. It's a "prove-it" contract, basically. Kim only played 48 games in 2025 and struggled to find his rhythm, but Anthopoulos clearly believes the glove and the high-IQ baserunning are worth the gamble. It pushes Mauricio Dubón—acquired from Houston for Nick Allen—into that "super-utility" role the Braves love so much.
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- First Base: Matt Olson (The Ironman)
- Second Base: Ozzie Albies (Back and hopefully healthy)
- Shortstop: Ha-Seong Kim (The big free-agent bet)
- Third Base: Austin Riley (The anchor)
You've also got Nacho Alvarez Jr. lurking on the bench. He's the guy fans are screaming for, but for now, he’s depth. It’s a luxury to have a kid with that much upside waiting for a mistake.
The Outfield: Power, Health, and a New Face
Ronald Acuña Jr. is still the engine. However, there’s a different vibe around him this year. After dealing with the Achilles issues that hampered his 2025, the team seems committed to letting him breathe a bit. You might see him at DH more often than we're used to, especially with the depth they’ve built.
Speaking of depth, the Mike Yastrzemski signing (two years, $10 million) was peak Braves. He’s 35, he’s a veteran, and he knows how to play professional outfield. He’ll likely platoon in left with Jurickson Profar.
Wait, Profar? Yeah, the Braves signed him to a three-year deal last January, and despite a weird 2025 that included a brief restricted list stint, he’s expected to be a major factor. Michael Harris II rounds out the trio in center. He’s coming off a year where he hit like a Cy Young candidate in August and a pitcher in May. The Braves need the August version.
That Starting Rotation: A High-Wire Act
This is where things get dicey. If you’re looking at the atlanta braves opening day roster and feeling a little nervous about the arms, you aren't alone.
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Chris Sale is the 37-year-old elder statesman. He’s the ace by default, but we all know his history. Then you have the Spencer duo. Spencer Schwellenbach is coming back from an elbow stress fracture. The reports say he’s fine, but "fine" in January and "fine" in July are two different things.
Then there’s Spencer Strider.
Strider is the ultimate wildcard. In 2025, his first year back from InternalBrace surgery, he posted a 4.45 ERA. The velocity was down. The "whiff" rate wasn't what we’re used to seeing. But a full year of recovery usually changes things. If he’s 90% of his old self, this rotation is elite. If he’s still 2025 Strider? The Braves are going to be calling the White Sox or Giants for a trade by May.
The Bullpen: A Complete Overhaul
The Braves let Pierce Johnson walk. They declined Tyler Kinley's option (then re-signed him anyway because why not?). They brought in Robert Suarez on a three-year deal to be the bridge to Raisel Iglesias.
It’s a high-velocity group. Anthopoulos clearly prioritized guys who can miss bats.
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- Raisel Iglesias: Closer (One-year extension signed in Nov)
- Robert Suarez: Setup (The big-money addition)
- Dylan Lee: Left-handed specialist
- Aaron Bummer: High-leverage lefty
- Joel Payamps: Reliable middle relief
- Grant Holmes: The swingman/long relief
What Most People Get Wrong
Most fans think the Braves are just "running it back." They aren't. While the names at the top of the lineup look familiar, the construction is different. The 2025 team was built on hope—hope that the injuries wouldn't happen. The 2026 team is built on redundancy.
Look at the bench: Mauricio Dubón, Eli White, and Drake Baldwin (the rookie catcher who might actually start over Sean Murphy if Murphy’s hip recovery slows down). These aren't just warm bodies; they are starting-caliber players in a pinch.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking at this roster for your fantasy draft or just trying to sound smart at the bar, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Catcher Split: Drake Baldwin is the "it" kid. ZiPS projections love him. Don't be surprised if he takes 40% of the starts away from Sean Murphy early on.
- The Six-Man Rotation Rumor: With Sale’s age and the Spencers' injury histories, the Braves are likely to use Grant Holmes or Reynaldo Lopez as a "sixth starter" frequently. This isn't a lack of faith; it's a preservation tactic.
- Acuña at the Top: There was talk of moving Profar to leadoff. Don't buy it. Ronald Acuña Jr. is the spark plug, and even if he's a step slower, his .921 OPS in that spot is too good to move.
The atlanta braves opening day roster isn't a finished product yet—the waiver wire moves on January 14th proving that—but the foundation is set. It's a team designed to survive the 162-game grind, not just the highlights.
Keep an eye on the velocity numbers for Strider and Schwellenbach during the first week of Spring Training in North Port. That will tell you everything you need to know about how October is going to look. If the radar guns are popping 98 again, the rest of the NL East is in serious trouble.