The Atlanta Braves made an interesting decision in Thursday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox, starting Jorge Mateo at shortstop. It proved to be the correct decision with Mateo collecting two hits and getting on base a third time by earning a walk. This brings Mateo's season average up to .324 in 68 at-bats so far this season. Watching the infielder exceed expectations has been fun for Atlanta fans, with Mateo scoring 18 runs and driving in seven so far in the 2026 season.
It has introduced an interesting shortstop debate for the Braves as Ha-Seong Kim's return hasn't offered the desired results. Despite earning a $20 million contract, the infielder is hitting .095 in 42 at-bats so far this season. Manager Walt Weiss opted to sit Kim in the finale in favor of Mateo, and the ensuing production has left a clear conundrum.
Mateo clearly is giving the team a better chance to win, making it a seemingly simple decision. However, everything about what Mateo is providing offensively is a career outlier, while the same can be said for Kim, who has a resume suggesting things will eventually turn in the right direction.
Braves Can't Afford to Ignore Jorge Mateo's Impressive Offensive Production
Still, even understanding that both current results are outliers, the Braves must roll with what gives them the best chance to continue to build an impressive National League East lead. As long as Mateo is playing at the current level, the Braves should ride with the hot hand and put Kim into a reserve role, no matter the salary.
If things cool for Mateo deeper into the season, it is a problem that you can revisit with three extremely viable options at the position in Kim, Mateo, and Mauricio Dubon. The Braves have gotten as far as they have in the 2026 season due to moves like these and unexpected contributors continually finding ways to deliver.
Mateo has more than proven himself in limited opportunities and offers elite speed that is going to put pressure on the opposing defense. To put it simply, there simply isn't a downside to putting the veteran infielder into the starting lineup as long as the current results last.
Atlanta has been incredibly fortunate with one of the league's better benches continually finding ways to exceed expectations as long as that is the case for Mateo, the Braves should be content with him as the team's starting option, helping anchor the bottom of a lineup that continues to impress.
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