When the Atlanta Braves started the season 0-7, it seemed nothing could fall their way. Established veterans and young cornerstones all struggled to get on the same page. Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna was the one notable outlier, consistently putting up great at-bats from the start of the season. The rest of the roster, however, all had a hand in the team's dismal start. Setting up the need for surprise contributors to help dig Atlanta's way out of an early hole.
The Braves have played far better over the last two weeks of the season, putting together impressive comebacks and consistently producing at the plate. Atlanta's turnaround is far from complete, but there is no denying the team is heading in the right direction. This has been aided by a number of surprise contributors, including an infielder not expected to factor into the team's early-season plans.
1. Nick Allen
It is hard to remember a more surprising story in recent Braves history when it comes to a player taking a job that wasn't believed to be a competition. Allen started spring training as a fringe roster player competing for a bench spot on Atlanta's roster. Allen was never expected to challenge Orlando Arcia for a role the Braves were expected to upgrade in the 2025 offseason.
However, the shortstop made the most of a handful of early starts, flashing a superior glove and giving surprising production at the plate. Allen is never going to be an offensive force, but he has far exceeded expectations. There are so many little things the shortstop does well that Arcia simply cannot provide.
Allen's range is better and appears to be able to make plays that elude Arcia. It must be added in as well the shortstop's contributions on the base paths and being able to consistently battle at the plate. Even if Allen is clearly overmatched, it isn't going to be an easy out. This has cemented the infielder into a surprise starting role and given Atlanta a much-needed spark plug defensively and at the bottom of the team's lineup. How long this level of production is going to continue is up for debate.