Alright, Braves Country, let’s talk about the ride that is Ozzie Albies’ 2025 season. If you’ve been watching closely, you know this story isn’t just about a cold bat. It’s about a comeback that’s suddenly popping from the right side of the plate, and potentially saving the Braves a very awkward offseason decision.
So let’s rewind. For most of the first half of 2025, Ozzie Albies — the longest-tenured Brave, and fan favorite — was lost. And while his contract has long been seen as one of the best values in baseball — two dirt-cheap team options after 2025 — suddenly, people were wondering if the value was still there.
The numbers were hard to ignore. Albies had always mashed lefties as a right-handed hitter — that .926 OPS from 2017-2024 was elite. But this year? In the first half? He posted a .220/.246/.266 slash line as a righty. That’s a .502 OPS. That’s not just a slump, that’s like a pitcher’s batting line.
Meanwhile, as a lefty (which has always been his weaker side), he was meh. An 83 wRC+, slightly better than his 80 in 2024. But still, that side of the plate wasn’t the problem. The real concern was that Albies had forgotten how to hit right-handed — the very skill that made his bat so valuable in the first place.
Then the All-Star Break Happened
Since the break, something has clicked. From the right side, he’s absolutely torching the ball: .409/.435/.636 in 46 plate appearances. That’s a 195 wRC+. That’s not just a rebound, that’s vintage Albies, and then some.
Now, the lefty side still isn’t lighting up the league, but he’s improved — a 94 wRC+ since the break, and a little more pop in the bat. Suddenly, we’re not talking about a player dragging his contract value down, we’re talking about a guy earning every cent of that bargain deal.
There’s speculation that perhaps Albies’ early struggles with his right-handed hitting this year were linked to the lingering wrist injury he suffered late last season. Makes sense, right? Wrist injuries are brutal for hitters — especially for switch-hitters who rely on quick-twitch explosiveness from both sides. If that wrist was still barking, that would explain the sapped power and ugly mechanics.
But if it’s healed now? If we’re seeing the full-strength, wrist-loose Albies again? Then Atlanta doesn’t have a decision to make this winter. They have a no-brainer.
