Atlanta's start to the 2025 season has had very few bright spots to celebrate, despite the team being expected to be a top postseason contender. As frustrating as the first games of the season have been, the team still has time and the offensive talent to turn the season around. Spencer Strider is back, and Ronald Acuna Jr. will soon follow. For fans looking for further encouraging signs, it is the play of new starting shortstop Nick Allen.
Allen has been one of the more underrated stories to start Atlanta's season. Even on the heels of a terrible spring training, manager Brian Snitker defended Arcia as the team's starter.
Still, Snitker gave Allen a handful of starts in the first two weeks of the season, and the former A's prospect seized the opportunity. While the shortstop is never going to be an offensive force, the results have been invaluable to Atlanta's offense as they await the return of key pieces.
Nick Allen Has Been One of the Few Surprising Bright Spots of Braves' Young 2025 Season
Even if Allen's bat regresses, the shortstop is the superior defender and brings skillsets Orlando Arcia simply lacks. Stealing bases, laying down bunts, and making heady plays are why Allen is now considered the team's starter. It improves Atlanta's bench as well, putting Orlando Arcia in a utility role better suited for the veteran.
The best way this plays out for Atlanta is if Ozuna and Ronald Acuna Jr. are both able to return quickly and put Allen at the bottom of the lineup. All the Braves need from Allen is great defense and the same pesky approach the shortstop has brought in the first three weeks of the season.
As a reminder, Allen came into spring training competing for a bench role as Atlanta's backup infielder. The former Athletic wasn't expected to play any role of meaning and was far from the favorite to be Atlanta's backup infielder. Not only to make the roster but to steal Arcia's starting role is a great story for a former top prospect who appeared to be on his way out of the league.
If Allen continues to perform at his current level, the Braves aren't going to entertain making a change. Barring a trade deadline acquisition, Nick Allen is Atlanta's starting shortstop for the 2025 season.