Fast Ball Talk

The Atlanta Braves had a rough season last year, but as we look ahead to 2025, there are some intriguing bounce-back candidates that could reshape the narrative. With players like Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, and Aaron Bummer showing signs of statistical misfortune, could we be on the brink of witnessing a resurgence?

Let’s dive into the potential of these players. Austin Riley had an off year, but his underlying metrics suggest he was simply unlucky. With a significant gap between his expected and actual performance, could he be poised for a breakout season? What do you think his ceiling is for 2025?

Michael Harris II also faced challenges, but his xwOBA indicates he has the potential to elevate his game. With a focus on hitting for average, can he reclaim his spot as a key offensive contributor?

And then there's Aaron Bummer, whose FIP suggests he was one of the unluckiest pitchers in the league. If he can maintain his elite groundball rate, could he emerge as a go-to option in high-leverage situations?

As we gear up for the new season, what are your bold predictions for these players? Do you believe they can turn their luck around, or are there deeper issues at play? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss the potential impact of these bounce-back candidates on the Braves' 2025 season!

Alright Braves fans, let’s talk bounce-back candidates for 2025.

Last year was rough, no sugarcoating it. But I’ve been digging into some of the numbers, and honestly… I think we might be sleeping on a few guys who are due for a serious comeback. Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, and even Aaron Bummer—yeah, I'm looking at you three

Riley’s season felt off, but when you look at his expected stats, it’s clear he got unlucky more than anything. His xBA and xSLG were solid, just didn’t translate. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he comes out swinging and drops a 35+ homer season this year. What do y’all think—is that his ceiling?

Then there’s Michael Harris II. Dude had his ups and downs, but his xwOBA was better than his actual results. If he locks in and focuses on putting the ball in play a bit more, I think he’s got a real shot at being one of our top hitters again.

And Aaron Bummer… man, talk about bad luck. His FIP tells a totally different story than his ERA. If he keeps that groundball rate up, he might end up being one of our go-to bullpen arms this year. High-leverage innings? I could see it.

So what do y’all think—are these guys due for a bounce back, or is there more going on under the hood? Any other players you think are ready to flip the script in 2025?

Drop your takes, predictions, or wild stat lines you’re calling for. Let’s get into it