If you’ve got something negative to say about how the Braves have performed through the first month of the season, baseball might just not be the sport for you. At 20-9, Atlanta owns the best record in baseball, pairing the league’s most explosive offense with a pitching staff that’s been one of the biggest surprises through 29 games. Guys have stepped up, and the stars are playing like stars again — a welcome change from the disaster that was the 2025 campaign.
A lot of that early success can be traced back to the new faces. The Braves didn’t go on a spending spree, and most of the bigger investments haven’t exactly paid off, but the under-the-radar moves from Alex Anthopoulos have been nothing short of brilliant, beginning with Dominic Smith.
Dominic Smith — A+
When the Braves signed Dominic Smith to a minor-league deal, there was no guarantee he’d even make the Opening Day roster. And he probably wouldn’t have if Jurickson Profar hadn’t been hit with a 162-game PED suspension. That twist might’ve been a blessing in disguise, because Smith has been on an absolute tear — hitting just shy of .350 with four homers and a .945 OPS. At this point, he could go hitless in his next 50 at-bats and this signing would still be worth it. He’s already been directly responsible for multiple wins.
Mauricio Dubón — A
Mauricio Dubón was acquired in a trade for Nick Allen with the expectation he’d be a super-utility piece. But when Ha-Seong Kim went down with a torn tendon in his finger, Dubón was thrust into an everyday role at shortstop. The bat has cooled slightly after a scorching start, but compared to Allen, who might be the worst offensive player in baseball, Dubon feels like Barry Bonds. He’s also been elite defensively, and when Kim returns, Dubón sliding back into a true utility role only strengthens the roster.
Robert Suárez — A+
The bullpen was a disaster a year ago. Now, it’s a strength — and Robert Suarez is a huge reason why. Through 13 appearances, he’s allowed just one run while picking up three saves. The combination of him and Raisel Iglesias has been dominant late in games, and even with Iglesias currently on the IL, there hasn’t been any drop-off. He’s been the one major free-agent addition that’s actually delivered so far.
Ha-Seong Kim — N/A
Kim hasn’t played yet after suffering a freak injury this offseason — tearing a tendon in his finger after slipping on ice in Korea. Still, he’s worth mentioning because is rehab assignment is underway and could rejoin the Braves in a couple of weeks.
Martín Pérez — A
You can’t talk about under-the-radar additions without mentioning Martín Pérez. On a $3 million deal, the 35-year-old has posted a 2.70 ERA over 23.1 innings, delivering multiple quality starts when the Braves desperately needed stability in the rotation. He may not stick all year once everyone gets healthy, but Atlanta isn’t in this position without him.
Mike Yastrzemski — D-
Nobody deserves a failing grade this early in the season, but Mike Yastrzemski’s performance has not been a positive experience through the first 29 games, which is a bit surprising considering he was hitting the cover off the ball in Spring Training. He’s currently sporting an average south of the Mendoza Line and has yet to record a home run. There’a a lot of time for this signing still to work out, but left field will undoubtedly be a place the Braves look to upgrade at the trade deadline.
Tyler Kinley — A+
It raised some eyebrows when the Braves initially didn’t tender Tyler Kinley a contract, but bringing him back has proven to be a masterstroke. He’s been nearly unhittable in high-leverage spots, sporting a 1.50 ERA through his first 13 appearances. Another quiet move that’s paid massive dividends.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
