Seated behind the desk in the visiting clubhouse at Sloan Park during the conclusion of spring-training, Atlanta’s stalwart manager, Brian Snitker, exudes an undying affection for his team. While he hadn’t been too vocal about big predictions on the team’s future undertakings, he staunchly affirms their potential to make a resounding comeback in the impending postseason. There is no doubt in his mind about the team’s ability to rise to the top in the challenging NL East. He also envisions them as strong contenders for their second World Series victory in half a decade. However, with the start of 2025 season inching ever closer, Snitker harbors a simpler aspiration for now as the team hosts San Diego Padres at Petco Park this Thursday.
He longs to steer a team in its prime health condition to the playoffs, a wish fuelled by the past instances of key players not in their best shape. He expresses his desire to witness what the team can achieve when it’s whole and healthy. Their previous performance in the wild-card series remains a bitter memory as they faced defeat against the Padres sans some crucial players. Among the missing were 2023 MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., Chris Sale, victor of the 2024 Cy Young award, All-Star pitchers Spencer Strider, third baseman Austin Riley, and even Ozzie Albies, who could only play right-handed due to a broken wrist.
Post their playoffs exit, the team had a quiet offseason in terms of expenditures, their most notable investment being the left fielder Jurickson Profar. With a hefty three-year contract worth $42 million at stake, it was a significant deal for the club. However, their roster saw some surprising exclusions with starting pitchers Max Fried and Charlie Morton departing without any offered deals. A.J. Minter shifted to the Mets, Travis d’Arnaud signed with the Angels, while Jorge Soler was traded away.
But as they say, as one door closes, another opens. Atlanta made some new noteworthy acquisitions towards the end of the camp. These included nine-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, catcher James McCann, and outfielder Alex Verdugo, who joined on minor-league contracts. Thus reinforced, the team embarked on their journey to San Diego this past Tuesday, the afternoon blistering at a 96-degree Phoenix. Dressed sharply for their trip, they were brimming with confidence and high hopes for the upcoming season.
Riley, who had to sit out around 52 games in the prior season, expressed his enthusiasm for the rejuvenated rooster. He noted the exceptional talent amidst the team, underscoring the strength in both, pitching and offense. He firmly believed that given the right health conditions and with a little bit of luck, they have a high chance of making a noteworthy impact. Their confidence is, in part, reliant on the return of some key players like Ronald Acuña Jr.
While star players Strider and Acuña Jr. are likely to return to the pitch around late April and May respectively, the players and fans alike must exercise patience. The team members seem to be simmering with anticipation for the month of May, given the potential comebacks. Harris acknowledged the loss of some players, but was highly optimistic about the current potential within the group and looked forward to the return of an MVP and a Cy Young caliber pitcher.
Despite a tough last season which broke their winning streak of the NL East since 2017, Atlanta exhibited an incredible fighting spirit managing to secure a postseason place. Struck hard by injuries, six players missed two or more months of action, with Strider and Acuña Jr. unable to play past April and May, respectively. However, Atlanta pulled through with a commendable 89 wins, a single win more than their World Series year, keeping their playoff streak alive for seven seasons straight.
First baseman Matt Olson instilled a sense of reassurance among the squad, reflecting on their last season where, despite not being an ideal year, they still managed to make it to the playoffs with 89 wins. The return of key players Ronnie and Strider would certainly serve as a prominent morale boost for the whole team. They strongly believe that once the injured are back on the pitch by May, they can give tough competition to anyone.
Collaboratively, Sale and Strider could possibly form one of the finest pairings in baseball. Riley had averaged 36 homers and 99 RBI from 2021-2023 and his hand, which had a serious injury last August, is now fully healed. Ozuna, speculated to be playing his last season for Atlanta, is coming fresh from hitting .289 and averaging 40 homers and 102 RBI with a .916 OPS over the previous two years.
Albies, who suffered injuries to his wrist and toe last season, and Michael Harris, previously troubled by a hamstring strain, are now fully fit. Even while their catcher Sean Murphy might start the season on the injured list, they have Drake Baldwin, a promising catching prospect, prepared to fill in. The Atlanta rotation boasts talent beyond Sale and Strider, with Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach, rookie AJ Smith-Shawver, and Grant Holmes providing immense depth.
In the previous spring, Schwellenbach had left many in awe with his striking performance, taking down 26 batters managing to give away only two walks in 18 ? innings, without conceding a home run. Last year, he struck out 127 batters with a mere 23 walks in his 123 ? innings and notched a 5.52 strikeouts-to-walks ratio, making him fifth-best by a rookie since 1900. His performances against the NL East rivals were exceptional, especially against the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.
The bullpen of Atlanta also boasts some impressive arms, but the roles are yet to be defined. As of now, Raisel Iglesias is slotted to be their closer, with Pierce Johnson functioning as the setup man. If Craig Kimbrel, who holds a record of 440 career saves, manages to bounce back from his recent half-season struggles in Baltimore, he could prove to be a crucial asset.
Although the division keeps getting more challenging, according to Snitker, the team’s spirits are high. The manager acknowledges that there are uncertainties surrounding the back end of the rotation and the bullpen. Although replacing dependable players like Joe Jimenez and A.J. Minter would be tough, he expressed faith in the team’s ability to adapt. He believes that they will manage to figure out the best course, as they always do.