It took until September 30 but the Braves were able to clinch a spot in the 2024 MLB Postseason. It marked the seventh straight season the Braves were able to make the playoffs. But, this season was very different, as several big names missed major time for Atlanta.
The Good
The big story from the Braves’ offense this season was Marcell Ozuna — and it wasn’t close. Ozuna hit .302/.378/.546 with 39 home runs and 70 extra-base hits.
It marked yet another positive step for Ozuna, who never lost his power — he hit 23 during a down year in 2023 — but made better swing decisions and cut out some “loopiness” out of his swing. Ozuna cut his Chase% to 26.5%, down significantly from the 33.4% he sported two seasons ago.
Aside from Ozuna and other names stepping up amidst injuries — which I’ll get into in a minute — the Braves saw impressive developments from newcomers and an older ace.
Chris Sale turned in an elite performance in 2024, as the left-hander led the National League in wins (18), ERA (2.38), and strikeouts (225), and was second in bWAR (6.2) among NL pitchers, behind Hunter Greene. We saw a side of Sale that hasn’t been seen since 2018; his mean fastball velocity of 94.8 MPH was his best in a full campaign since that 2018 season (95.2). And, he could easily rear back and hit 97-98 MPH at times.
Aside from Sale, Atlanta saw breakthrough years from Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach. Lopez, a former starter with the Nationals but spent most of his MLB career before 2024 as a starter, struck out 148 over 135.2 IP and controlled the zone significantly better this season compared to 2023. Lopez’s BB% sunk almost five percentage points.
Schwellenbach, a college infielder turned pitcher who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, was promoted to Atlanta in late May after turns in High-A and Double-A. He wasn’t outmatched in the Majors, as he struck out 127 over 123.2 IP and owned a BB/9 of just 1.7.
Lopez, Sale, and Schwellnebach helped the Braves finish first in the MLB in total strikeouts (1,553).
The Bad
Injuries, injuries, injuries. Injuries to key pieces of the Braves’ core took a toll on the team’s offensive production.
Ronald Acuna Jr. played 49 games before his season ended due to a torn ACL, the second time that’s happened to him in four seasons. Ozzie Albies suffered a wrist fracture in July, and while he returned from it in September, he’s only batting from the right side. Austin Riley, meanwhile, sustained a hand fracture in August and won’t return during the playoffs.
Those three combined for 111 home runs in 2023. But in 2024, Acuna Jr., Albies, and Riley combined for 33 home runs.
Aside from the offense, Spencer Strider underwent an internal brace surgery on his elbow this past spring. While Strider avoided Tommy John, it’s unsure whether he’ll be ready for Opening Day 2025.
Overall, it’s hard to complain about what the Braves received from their replacements. But, it’s also hard to state the Braves walked into October with as strong of a team, compared to previous campaigns.
What to Expect from the Braves in October
The Braves dropped the first game of their NL Wild Card series against the Padres, leaving Max Fried as the man Atlanta needs to stay alive. Fried’s been a productive arm in the postseason; he came up clutch in 2020 and 2021 in the World Series. However, 2024 could be the last of this version of the Braves.
Fried will be a free agent after the 2024 campaign. Charlie Morton will be 41 at the start of 2025 and it’s uncertain what he’ll wind up doing after this season.
Atlanta will also have to decide whether to hold on to Ozuna, who has a $16MM club option for 2025, and Soler. It would make sense to keep Ozuna. But, Soler, who would benefit from being a regular DH, has two years left on the deal he signed with the Giants. Can Atlanta hold on to both?
None of that matters right now. However, the Braves — at least if Game 1 was any indication — are far from the complete team that Padres are now. Which, could mean an early exit for the Braves.