When considering the Atlanta Braves' recent offensive regression last season, Ozzie Albies' health and declining production play a key role in any shortcomings. The veteran infielder has dealt with a wrist fracture that ended his 2024 season and bled into the start of 2025, a year that'd end in frustration.
A quick look at his declining stats in the last few seasons gives a glimpse as to why Braves fans are concerned about Albies' 2026 outlook:
Season | Games Played | Batting Average | On-Base Percentage | Slugging Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 148 | .280 | .336 | .513 |
2024 | 99 | .251 | .303 | .404 |
2025 | 157 | .240 | .306 | .365 |
Each of the past two seasons, Albies' averages have dipped, and Atlanta's offense has suffered because of it. If there's any hope to avoid an offensive fate similar to what fans saw in 2025, Albies must step it up for the Braves this spring.
Braves Need an Ozzie Albies Turnaround to Reach Their Potential
The biggest flaw in Albies' game is an aggressive nature at the plate, which rewarded the infielder early in his career. Opponents have made adjustments and take advantage of that aggressive approach now, though, resulting in Albies striking out on swings he has no business making.
The Braves elected to bring Albies back on a $7 million team option, which includes another in 2027. But after two years of offensive inconsistency, Albies will be forced to perform in the 2026 season if he wants to remain with the Braves for the long haul.
Atlanta fans have a sense of trust in Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Drake Baldwin, and Ronald Acuna Jr. when it comes to expected offensive performance. This leaves a trio of Michael Harris, Jurickson Profar, and Albies as the deciding wild cards of the 2026 lineup. None of these is more important than the second baseman who doesn't offer the elite defense or Harris or the flexibility of Profar.
Albies needs to be the version of himself that Braves fans watched in the 2023 season when the infielder hit .280 and drove in 109 RBIs. If this offensive level can be found again, all of a sudden, the Braves have five hitters they know they can rely on to support what is shaping up to be an incredibly deep rotation and bullpen.
Albies could take the Braves' lineup into something special if he can turn back the clock. That's why Atlanta fans should pay close attention to Albies throughout spring training into the first weeks of the season, hoping to see early signs of a 2026 turnaround.
If not, it could be another long campaign on the horizon.