Atlanta Braves Spring Training: Rebuilding for a Resilient 2025 Season
The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, looking to bounce back from recent postseason struggles.
After back-to-back NLDS exits against the Phillies in 2022 and 2023, injuries once again played a significant role in a 2024 season full of challenges. Key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. (ACL surgery), Spencer Strider (elbow surgery), and Austin Riley (hand fracture) missed considerable time, leaving the team short-handed when it mattered most. But as Spring Training approaches, the focus is on health, depth, and renewed energy.
Key Players to Watch
Ronald Acuña Jr., fresh off his second knee surgery, and ace Spencer Strider, aiming to return by mid-season, are pivotal to the Braves’ success. Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies are expected to anchor the lineup, while Sean Murphy looks to build on his breakout 2024 campaign as the team’s offensive and defensive leader behind the plate.
Roster Needs
The Braves enter Spring Training with a few notable gaps. The departure of veterans like Max Fried and Charlie Morton leaves the rotation thin, while Joe Jiménez’s extended absence creates a bullpen void. A starting pitcher and corner outfielder are high on the Braves’ shopping list, with prospects like Hurston Waldrep and A.J. Smith-Shawver poised to step into larger roles if needed.
One Big Question
Can the Braves maintain the clubhouse chemistry that has been integral to their success? With the loss of Travis d’Arnaud and changes to the coaching staff, including the dismissal of hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, the team will need returning leaders and new faces to foster the resilience that has defined their identity in recent years.
Spring Training promises to be a proving ground as Atlanta fine-tunes its roster and gears up for another run at the NL East title. Check out the schedule below and visit the Cool Today Park website for more info on events and happenings.
