Believe it or not, the Atlanta Braves have been playing much better lately. After starting the season 0-7, they’ve gone 10-7 over their last 17 games. Sure, the schedule may have been a bit more favorable, but at the end of the day, wins are wins! Most recently, they took two out of three at home against the St. Louis Cardinals, right after sweeping the Minnesota Twins in a three-game series. So what’s sparked this recent offensive surge?
A big factor has been the addition of veteran outfielder Alex Verdugo, who was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett. He joined the Braves late in spring and needed some extra time to get up to speed, but he’s made a noticeable impact. While Verdugo isn’t a flawless player, his knack for making contact has been a huge help—especially compared to centerfielder Michael Harris II, who has struggled in that department.
In a recent piece for The Athletic, David O’Brien pointed out how Verdugo has positively influenced Harris at the plate. Verdugo has mostly taken over the leadoff spot, pushing Harris further down in the order. Since they’re both lefties, Verdugo’s been able to share tips on hitting against left-handed pitchers, and his work ethic stands out.
Initially, the Braves were hoping Jurickson Profar would give the offense a lift, but lately, it’s been Verdugo who’s stepped up. Beyond his own contributions, he’s been helping Harris improve his plate discipline. People sometimes forget Harris is still quite young. Yes, he was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2022, but injuries have kept him off the field quite a bit since then.
In fact, he barely played at the Double-A level and skipped Triple-A entirely before making his MLB debut. I’ll admit—I’ve been pretty critical of Harris this year. He just turned 24, and as a fellow Atlanta native, I’m rooting for him. But those rough at-bats, combined with endless Ford Bronco commercials during the broadcast, can be tough to watch.
Interestingly, Verdugo isn’t much older than Harris, but he’s been around the league since 2017. He’s played for some high-profile teams—Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees—and now he’s quietly becoming an asset for the Braves. While he’s not a cure-all, Verdugo has definitely brought a much-needed boost to the lineup.
