The Atlanta Braves are closing out the calendar year of 2024 with a roster that looks markedly different from the one that powered them through last season.
The most glaring changes come in the rotation, where the departures of Max Fried and (presumably) Charlie Morton have left some big shoes to fill. While Atlanta still has time to make moves, the current rotation blueprint leans heavily on a mix of potential and risk.
Names like Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez, and the eventual return of Spencer Strider form the core of what could be the Braves’ pitching plans for 2025.
However, one name stands out as the make-or-break factor for their season: Reynaldo Lopez.
Reynaldo Lopez: The Key to Atlanta’s Rotation Success
Lopez turned heads in 2024, delivering a career-best performance in his debut season with the Braves. In 25 starts, he posted a stellar 1.99 ERA with a 2.92 FIP, numbers that positioned him as one of the team’s most reliable arms.
His aggressive approach in the strike zone left opposing hitters on their heels, creating a high level of discomfort every time he took the mound. While Lopez’s results were exceptional, the underlying metrics suggested some regression might be in the cards.
The Braves, however, are betting on him staying closer to his 2024 form. They restructured his contract this offseason, showing confidence in his ability to remain a pivotal part of their rotation.
Lopez agreed to shift some of his earnings from 2025 into 2026, and the team added a guaranteed $8 million club option for 2027, bringing the deal’s total value to three years and $30 million.
For a pitcher who shined last year, that’s a clear bargain—but it also highlights the risk. Can Lopez shoulder the increased expectations in 2025 and beyond?
A High-Risk, High-Reward Rotation Strategy
The Braves’ rotation for 2025 is a bold experiment in balancing potential with risk. Spencer Strider remains the ace, but the supporting cast—featuring Chris Sale’s veteran unpredictability, Spencer Schwellenbach’s untested talent, and Reynaldo Lopez’s potential regression—creates a high-stakes environment.
Max Fried and Charlie Morton’s departure leaves a void in both innings and reliability, putting pressure on the team to strike gold with their choices. This strategy hinges on Lopez’s ability to anchor the middle of the rotation while the younger arms develop consistency.
The Braves could field a dynamic staff capable of overpowering opponents if all goes well. If not, their aspirations for 2025 might crumble under the weight of unmet expectations.
The Challenges Ahead For the Braves
Lopez’s 2024 workload topped out at 135 innings, a solid total but well short of the 165 innings Charlie Morton provided as a veteran leader.
If Lopez moves into the third or fourth starter role next season, the Braves will need him to push past that mark while maintaining the elite strikeout ability that made him so effective.
The stakes are high. If Lopez can deliver 165 or more innings with comparable dominance, the Braves’ chances of reclaiming the NL East crown improve significantly.
