Honestly, if you're an Atlanta fan, the 2025 season felt like a fever dream you couldn't wake up from. A 76-86 record? Missing the postseason for the first time since 2017? It was brutal. At one point, it felt like the entire training staff deserved a World Series ring just for the sheer volume of work they had to put in. But now, as we look toward the Braves projected lineup 2025, the narrative is shifting from "what went wrong" to "how fast can they get back to the top."
Alex Anthopoulos didn't just sit on his hands this winter. He went out and basically performed surgery on the roster's biggest weaknesses. By bringing in guys like Ha-Seong Kim to solidify the middle infield and Robert Suarez to turn the bullpen into a late-inning fortress, the vibes in North Port are a lot different than they were last October.
The reality is that this team was a juggernaut that just ran out of healthy bodies. When you lose Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies for significant chunks of time, even a roster as deep as Atlanta’s is going to spring leaks. But for 2025, the stars are (mostly) aligned again.
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The Core is Back (And Healthy)
Let’s talk about the big bats. You’ve got Matt Olson at first base, who remains the iron man of this squad. He’s basically penciled in for 160 games and 30-plus homers before the season even starts. Then there’s Austin Riley at third. After that lower abdominal strain ended his 2025 campaign early, he’s reportedly 100% and ready to reclaim his spot as one of the premier power hitters in the National League.
The middle of the infield is where things get interesting. Ozzie Albies is returning from that annoying hamate bone fracture. He’s one of the most vital "glue" guys in that clubhouse. But the real game-changer is the addition of Ha-Seong Kim. Replacing Orlando Arcia—who, let’s be real, became a massive liability at the plate—with Kim is a massive upgrade. Kim brings an elite glove and a much more disciplined approach to the bottom of the order.
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The Projected Opening Day Batting Order
- Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF) – The king is back. While there was talk of him easing in as a DH, early indications suggest he’s ready for the grass.
- Ozzie Albies (2B) – Classic spark plug.
- Austin Riley (3B) – Expect a massive bounce-back year here.
- Matt Olson (1B) – The anchor.
- Marcell Ozuna (DH) – "The Big Bear" coming off another .900+ OPS season.
- Michael Harris II (CF) – Still the best defensive center fielder in the game, and his bat is only getting better.
- Sean Murphy / Drake Baldwin (C) – Murphy is recovering from a hip labral tear, so expect a heavy dose of the rookie Baldwin early on.
- Jurickson Profar (LF) – A savvy 3-year deal brings a veteran presence to the corner outfield.
- Ha-Seong Kim (SS) – The defensive wizard who actually hits for average.
The Catching Conundrum
The Sean Murphy situation is the biggest "if" in the Braves projected lineup 2025. His 2024 was a disaster—both health-wise and statistically. The hip surgery he underwent in late 2025 has his Opening Day status in doubt.
Enter Drake Baldwin.
Baldwin isn't just a "backup" prospect anymore; he’s arguably the most exciting young catcher the Braves have had since Brian McCann. He’s got that high baseball IQ that pitchers love. If Murphy isn't ready by March 27, Baldwin isn't just going to fill the spot—he might actually make it hard for Brian Snitker to take him out of the lineup once Murphy is healthy.
Why the Pitching Rotation is Actually Scarier Now
Everyone knows Chris Sale turned back the clock, but the depth behind him is what should terrify the NL East. Spencer Strider is returning from his elbow surgery, and while the team will be cautious, a "limited" Strider is still better than 90% of the starters in the league.
Then you have Spencer Schwellenbach. He was the find of the decade last year. He’s projected to be a legitimate No. 2 or No. 3 starter. Throw in Reynaldo López and the potential for a healthy Ian Anderson or AJ Smith-Shawver, and you’re looking at a rotation that can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
The Bullpen Revolution
If the game is tied in the 7th, the Braves are probably going to win. That's the mindset now. Anthopoulos re-signing Raisel Iglesias was huge, but adding Robert Suarez to that mix? That’s just unfair. You have two guys who could close for almost any team in baseball.
- Raisel Iglesias: The established closer.
- Robert Suarez: The high-octane setup man.
- Pierce Johnson: High-leverage specialist.
- Aaron Bummer: The lefty specialist who’s finally healthy.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Season
If you're looking at how this team actually functions on the field, keep an eye on these three specific areas:
- The Lead-off Strategy: Watch how often Snitker uses Ronald Acuña Jr. as the DH versus the outfield. Protecting his knees will be priority number one for the first 40 games.
- The Shortstop Defense: With Ha-Seong Kim at short and Albies at second, the Braves might have the best defensive middle infield in the National League. This is going to save the pitching staff a significant number of runs.
- The Baldwin Factor: If Drake Baldwin starts hot, don't be surprised if the Braves move Sean Murphy into a more permanent DH or secondary catcher role to keep Baldwin’s bat in the lineup.
The Braves projected lineup 2025 isn't just a list of names; it’s a direct response to the failures of the previous year. They’ve addressed the lack of depth, they’ve upgraded the weakest offensive positions, and they’ve built a bullpen that can shorten games.
To stay ahead of the curve this season, pay close attention to the injury reports out of North Port during Spring Training. The health of Austin Riley's core and Sean Murphy's hip are the final pieces of the puzzle. If those two are ready for the first pitch in March, the rest of the NL East is in serious trouble.