Atlanta Braves 2026 Top 5 Spring Training Storylines

Atlanta Braves kick off spring training with major health concerns and a fresh managerial outlook—can this powerhouse rebound in 2026? Jake Mastroianni spotlights Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Spencer Strider as keys to Atlanta’s title hopes, questioning whether these stars can finally stay healthy. Walt Weiss takes the reins as manager, and fans get their first look at how his strategies, bullpen management, and lineup choices could reshape the Braves.

Spring buzz builds as the ABS Challenge System enters MLB—how will Weiss and Atlanta leverage this new tech? The episode breaks down the team’s catching situation with Jonah Heim joining camp, tracks the progress of top prospects like Hurston Waldrep and Jon Hill, and examines needed improvements in offensive approach and depth. Don’t miss this comprehensive guide to the hottest spring training stories and why they’ll define the Braves’ 2026 campaign.

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00:00: Spring Training Storylines

08:54: Braves’ Key Players’ Health

13:15: Young Players & Depth

10 comments

  4. Know what I’ll be fascinated by? I wonder if there are any umps who intentionally miss calls on balls and strikes in certain situations. And if we’ll see numbers have drastic changes.

  6. I am actually not a pessimist, but why anyone would feel positive about the upcoming season is perplexing. Everyone of our starters has dealt with significant injuries the last 2 seasons. It is very doubtful, at his age, with his history, that Sale will stay off the IL. Strider may or may not return to at least a semblance of his former self. Both Lopez and Grant have shown that it is not as simple as buying relievers cheap and then turning them into starters, both were hurt last year. Waldrep hopefully continues to grow and does not have another injury. And then there is Elder – who gets lit up if his control is not perfect with his 89mph fastball. What to think about all of this, " "It's a bold strategy, Cotton."

  7. It doesn't all center on Strider's velocity. Maybe he doesn't get any lost velocity back, but instead sees his career low induced vertical break of 16.4 inches shoot back up to around that 18 inches once again? That would make a difference.

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