2. Austin Riley
Austin Riley has been a liability at the plate in the first two weeks of Atlanta's season. Last season's step back in production can be shrugged off as due to injuries and a lineup that had lesser talent. However, there is no excuse for Riley's approach at the plate in the first games of the season. The third baseman deserves credit for his excellent defense but is consistently costing his team at the plate.
Runners in scoring position and Riley cannot execute well enough to advance runners. A player who is supposed to be a cornerstone of your offense leads the team in strikeouts and is putting up ugly at-bats. It isn't as simple as looking at his average or the lack of power numbers. Those can be influenced heavily by luck and getting the right bounce. The ideal way to judge a hitter is by getting a consistent look at the quality of their at-bats.
Riley is hurting his team right now as he is unable to catch up to being challenged by fastballs and striking out at a concerning rate. If this team is going to turn things around, it starts with Riley at least offering competitive at-bats.
3. Jarred Kelenic
Things have grown so dark for Atlanta's outfield production that the idea of reuniting with last year's options is appealing. Kelenic has struck out 12 times in 26 at-bats. Nearly half of the time Kelenic walks up to the plate, it is going to end without the ball being put in play. This level of production simply isn't going to get the job done.
Kelenic is not only falling out of favor in Atlanta's starting lineup but could be losing his fourth outfielder role. The speed of Eli White at least offers some base running upside for the Braves. Bryan De La Cruz and Alex Verdugo both appear to have more offensive upside as well.
With the pending return of Ronald Acuna Jr., it wouldn't be at all surprising to see the Braves move on from Kelenic and give up on a player they hoped to be a long-term option.