Photo: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire

Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 10th

Team Strengths

The Braves can put some pretty good defenders on the field on a regular basis.

First baseman Matt Olson won his 4th Fielding Bible Award in 2024. 

Most Defensive Runs Saved – 1B, Last 2 Seasons

Austin Riley posted seasons of 13, 7, and 9 Runs Saved in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. He dropped to 0 Runs Saved in 2024. You could make a case he belongs in the strengths column even with that.

Center fielder Michael Harris had a career-high 11 Runs Saved, tied for 7th at the position last season.  

Catcher Sean Murphy was one of the best catchers in MLB at blocking potential wild pitches last season. He’s going to miss the start of the season with a cracked rib. Top prospect Drake Baldwin could be his replacement for now. He’s rated as an average defensive catcher in the minors.

And pitcher Chris Sale didn’t just win a Cy Young Award last year. He also won a Gold Glove, though actually Spencer Schwellenbach is the one on the staff with the best defensive numbers.

Team Weaknesses

The outfield has the potential to be problematic. Newcomer Jurickson Profar (left field) could be dicey. Profar ranks next-to-last in Runs Saved in left field over the last two seasons.

And when Ronald Acuña Jr. comes back from his torn ACL, he’s going to have to play right field given that Marcell Ozuna is the main DH. Acuña had -7 Runs Saved in 48 games there last season.

 Other things to consider

If you were looking for Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia in the strengths list, we don’t think they belong there. Check out their Runs Saved totals the last few seasons. Albies has 3, -1, 1, and 1 at second base the last four years. Arcia has -6 and -1 at shortstop the last two years.

Are They A Good Defensive Team?

The Braves are an average-to-good defensive team in most spots, which should position them in or close to the Top 10. But they have the potential to have some significant in-the-moment issues within games given the potential weaknesses of their corner outfielders.