Braves Spring Training: Who's Stepping Up and Who's on the Bubble? 

As we dive into the 2025 baseball season, the excitement is palpable, especially for Atlanta Braves fans. With spring training underway, we’re already seeing some intriguing performances, particularly from Ian Anderson and Grant Holmes, who have both shown promise on the mound. But as we gear up for Opening Day, the big question looms: how will the Braves line up?

Let’s talk about the potential roster. Who do you think will be the standout players this season? Will Austin Riley’s health be a game-changer for the Braves? And what about Bryce Elder? His recent up-and-down performance has raised eyebrows—can he find consistency and become a reliable arm in the rotation?

Moreover, with the season just around the corner, how are you feeling about the Braves' chances in 2025? Are we looking at a playoff run, or do you think there are too many question marks?

Let’s also not forget the younger prospects. Who are you most excited to see make an impact this year?

Share your bold predictions, your concerns, and your hopes for the Braves this season. Let’s get the conversation rolling!

It's an exciting time to be a Braves fan as the 2025 season gets underway! Even with the early weeks of the regular season behind us, the spring training performances and preseason buzz offer valuable insights.

Looking back at spring training, Ian Anderson and Grant Holmes both showed flashes of potential. However, solidifying rotation spots requires more than just a few good outings in the spring. As the season has unfolded, the Braves' rotation has taken shape with a mix of arms. Chris Sale was named the Opening Day starter. He's been followed by Reynaldo López, Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Grant Holmes. With Spencer Strider now back from injury, the rotation looks to be taking a more definitive form.  

Several players are poised to be standouts for the Braves this season. Austin Riley, healthy this year, is expected to be a key offensive force. His power and consistency at third base are crucial. Bryce Elder's performance has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but the Braves are hoping he can harness his potential and provide reliable innings as a starter. Finding that consistency will be key for his role in the rotation.

As for the Braves' chances in 2025, the expectation remains high for a playoff run. Their offense, led by stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. (who returned from injury), Matt Olson, and Austin Riley, is formidable. The question mark early in the season was the depth and consistency of the starting pitching, especially with Strider's initial absence. However, with Strider back, the rotation looks stronger. The bullpen, anchored by Raisel Iglesias, also has the potential to be a strength.  

Regarding younger prospects making an impact, Drake Baldwin, the catcher, made the Opening Day roster and even hit his first career home run early in the season. His development will be worth watching, especially with Sean Murphy initially sidelined due to injury. Spencer Schwellenbach is also a young pitcher who earned a rotation spot out of spring training and has shown promise.  

My bold prediction for the Braves this season is that they will win the NL East and make a deep playoff run, reaching the NLCS. The combination of their powerful offense and a pitching staff that is finding its footing, especially with the return of key players from injury, makes them a serious contender. However, staying healthy and getting consistent contributions from all parts of the roster will be crucial for achieving that goal. My main concern early in the season was the reliability of the back end of the rotation and some bullpen roles, but the team has shown resilience in addressing those areas. My hope is that the team can maintain its offensive production and that the pitching staff continues to gel as the season progresses.


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