4. Grant Holmes
The Braves are likely going to count on Grant Holmes to make a handful of starts early in the season. This is after the reliever put together an outstanding performance at the end of the 2024 season that would lock up Atlanta's postseason berth. Still, the way that Holmes pitches lends itself to a lot of possible frustration for the first month of the 2024 season.
Chris Sale is the anchor in the rotation until Spencer Strider is able to return. Holmes is going to be forced into action based on the lack of established starters Atlanta will have healthy. Holmes in a long relief role is a great move and one that should keep Holmes on the roster no matter how the early season starts go.
5. Atlanta's Lack of Bench Depth
It is hard to single out a player when looking at Atlanta's projected 2025 bench. There simply is an alarming lack of established major league hitters. The biggest piece of why the Braves went on their 2021 run to the World Series was the team's incredible depth. The team could survive an injury and did to their best player. Acuna wasn't a part of the team's World Series title missing the season due to injury.
Atlanta doesn't win that World Series without Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario, and Jorge Soler; all depth pieces that the Braves added after losing their star for the season. While Atlanta's front office has earned the trust of the fanbase, it would be naive to ignore the concern. Atlanta doesn't have one player on their current bench you know you can rely on if an injury strikes. In an endless season, it is clear that the team is going to need this depth at some point. Aside from catcher, the team cannot survive injuries the way they have in seasons past.