Alright, Braves fans, let’s talk projections! It’s that time of year when we’re all looking toward 2025, trying to see what the crystal ball of advanced stats might hold. FanGraphs gave us a lot to chew on with their list of the top 100 players for next season.
Six Braves made the cut, and while the rankings may cause a few eyebrows to lift, it’s all based on fWAR — FanGraphs’ version of WAR that evaluates overall player contributions. Let’s break this down and see where these guys landed!
Michael Harris II – fWAR 5.2 (No. 15)
Coming in at No. 15, Michael Harris II takes the highest spot among the Braves players. Surprising? Maybe. After all, Ronald Acuña Jr. is still on the team. But let’s remember, Harris is projected to play a full season, while Acuña is expected to miss some time.
And Harris deserves this recognition. The kid’s a star in the making. His previous best fWAR was 4.8, so a 5.2 projection means FanGraphs believes he’s primed for a career year at just 24. We’re talking about a slash line of .287/.334/.484, with career highs in homers (26), RBIs (81), runs (94), and stolen bases (21). That’s a sweet 20-20 season for you stat lovers.
Don’t forget how he finished last season. He hit .316/.344/.579 in September alone, with eight bombs and 18 RBIs. That’s an insane 50-homer, 112-RBI pace.
Okay, baseball doesn’t work like that over a full season, but it’s a taste of what he can do when he’s on fire. And let’s not overlook his glove. This guy lives on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.
Ronald Acuña Jr. – fWAR 5.0 (No. 20)
Next up, at No. 20, we have the 2023 NL MVP himself: Ronald Acuña Jr. FanGraphs has him projected for 131 games in 2025. If he misses the first month due to recovery, that lines up pretty neatly. Still, a 5.0 fWAR projection? That’s pretty solid for a guy rehabbing from knee surgery.
The projection says he’ll slash .292/.380/.511, with 21 homers, 75 RBIs, 104 runs, and 46 stolen bases. Let’s be real — two knee surgeries might mean we don’t see 46 swipes. But the power and production are still there. If Acuña comes back and plays his heart out, Braves fans won’t complain.
Chris Sale – fWAR 4.5 (No. 28)
Ah, Chris Sale — the comeback king! At No. 28, the reigning NL Cy Young winner is projected to keep up his resurgence. FanGraphs sees a 3.08 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 231 strikeouts over 187 innings.
Slightly higher ERA than last year’s 2.25? Sure. But let’s not nitpick if Sale delivers a 3.08 ERA and racks up that many strikeouts. Plus, he’s a Gold Glove pitcher now. Defense? Check.
Austin Riley – fWAR 3.9 (No. 45)
No. 45 is Austin Riley. A slow start and an injury-shortened season in 2024 left us all wondering, “What if?” But FanGraphs expects Riley to bounce back with 150 games, a .267/.336/.487 slash line, 32 homers, 99 RBIs, and 89 runs. Maybe not All-Star level, but definitely a solid middle-of-the-lineup presence.
Ozzie Albies – fWAR 3.5 (No. 67)
The heartbeat of the infield, Ozzie Albies, comes in at No. 67. Last year’s freak injury slowed him down, but 2025 looks promising with a projected .266/.322/.447 line, 24 homers, 82 RBIs, and 92 runs.
Seems a bit cautious, but Albies has a history of proving the projections wrong. Don’t bet against him.
Matt Olson – fWAR 3.0 (No. 98)
Rounding out the Braves at No. 98, Matt Olson is still a beast. FanGraphs sees him playing 150 games, but we know Olson doesn’t like missing any games.
Expect him to suit up for all 162, which could boost his projected 33 homers, 98 RBIs, and 89 runs to something more like 35-105-96. Even if it’s a step back from his 54-homer explosion, that’s still elite. And don’t forget his Gold Glove-caliber defense.
Six Braves in the top 100? Not too shabby. If these projections hold up — or if they over-deliver — 2025 could be another fun year for Atlanta fans.
