The Atlanta Braves are already off to an incredible start in the 2026 season and have yet to see their roster at complete strength. Injuries and struggles from key veterans have left the team still scratching at the surface of its full potential. This has to be a scary thought for the rest of the league that is quickly realizing just how loaded this roster has become.
With this in mind, let's look at pieces yet to contribute at the expected levels in the 2026 season. Three players who have a chance to push Atlanta from the debate as the best team in the league to clearly the inarguable top contender.
1. Austin Riley
Riley has been the biggest source of offensive frustration for the Braves in the 2026 season. The third baseman remains tied to the franchise for years to come and was expected to be an enforcer in the middle of Atlanta's order. Instead, Riley has often looked overmatched and hovered just above the Mendoza line while he is yet to go on a true hot streak by the infielder's standards.
This is a far cry from the 2023 season when Riley hit .281 and drove in 97 runners while being an absolute force at the plate. Riley was this version of himself from the 2021-2023 seasons before following it up the past two years with offensive regression and a struggle to stay healthy. If the infielder can find a way to turn back the clock to the player he was previously, the Braves' offense is going to be unstoppable.
2. Ronald Acuna Jr.
The 2023 MVP hasn't struggled as badly as Riley, but has missed time and isn't putting up the expected power numbers. Unlike Riley, there isn't a track record that suggests this could continue, but points to the underwhelming numbers as an outlier that is a sign of an inevitable hot streak. That is a piece of what has been so incredible about Atlanta's great start to the 2026 season; they are accomplishing all of this without their best hitter performing at the expected level.
You know that an epic heater is on the way for Acuna, and when it comes, the Braves are truly going to be an unstoppable force. The outfielder has two years remaining on his deal as well and every reason to want to put together a resume that shows he can stay healthy and set up what will be a potentially historic contract.
3. Hurston Waldrep
Waldrep is yet to make his season debut and has an unclear timeline for a potential return. However, there is no denying that he will make a push not only to make Atlanta's roster when healthy, but to become a potential postseason level option. Waldrep pitched 56.1 innings last season and picked up six wins, looking unhittable in his first starts of the season. While the production cooled, every time the starter took the mound was must-watch for Braves fans.
If this version of Waldrep shows up after missing time with injury, it is going to be fun to watch how the Braves choose to navigate difficult rotation decisions and see just what heights the Braves' rotation might reach.
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