{"id":145572,"date":"2026-01-26T15:39:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=145572"},"modified":"2026-01-26T15:39:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:39:07","slug":"%f0%9f%94%a5-fangraphs-drops-favorable-projections-for-braves-shortstops-could-this-be-the-hidden-edge-atlanta-needs-to-dominate-the-nl-east-in-2026-%f0%9f%91%87","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=145572","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udd25 FANGRAPHS DROPS FAVORABLE PROJECTIONS FOR BRAVES SHORTSTOPS \u2014 Could This Be the Hidden Edge Atlanta Needs to Dominate the NL East in 2026? \ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"66\">FanGraphs Provides Favorable Projections for Braves Shortstops<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"68\" data-end=\"107\"><strong data-start=\"68\" data-end=\"107\">By Harrison Smajovits | 3 hours ago<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"68\" data-end=\"107\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/minutemedia-ressh.cloudinary.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_2742,h_1542,x_0,y_0\/v1769405542\/shape\/cover\/sport\/01kfwamez2t76pwr6mx9-3af4635d5d3368f73b151a418ba33eb1.jpg\" alt=\"FanGraphs Provides Favorable Projections for Braves Shortstops\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"109\" data-end=\"650\">As Spring Training approaches, the Atlanta Braves find themselves in a challenging position. With shortstop Ha-Seong Kim sidelined due to an injury, the team faces an offensive dilemma. While the severity and recovery timeline of Kim\u2019s injury remain uncertain, it\u2019s clear that the Braves will need to adjust their expectations for the shortstop position heading into the 2026 season. But, despite the setback, Atlanta still has viable options, and FanGraphs&#8217; projections offer insight into how the Braves&#8217; shortstop situation could play out.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"652\" data-end=\"952\">While Kim\u2019s absence will undoubtedly affect the Braves&#8217; offensive production, especially in the first half of the season, the projections offer some silver lining. Looking ahead, we\u2019ll break down what to expect from Kim, Mauricio Dub\u00f3n, and Jorge Mateo as the team navigates this early-season injury.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"954\" data-end=\"1011\"><strong data-start=\"954\" data-end=\"1011\">Ha-Seong Kim\u2019s Injury Impact and Adjusted Projections<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1013\" data-end=\"1453\">For the Braves, losing Kim, who was expected to be a key contributor at shortstop, is a significant blow. Kim\u2019s original projections had him playing the entire season, but now with his injury, FanGraphs has revised his projected games played to just 82 games, meaning he is expected to miss roughly half the season. With a possible return in mid-June, the Braves will be cautious with his recovery, and projections are conservative at best.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1455\" data-end=\"1893\">When Kim does return to the batter&#8217;s box, however, he is still expected to provide more offensive production than what Braves shortstops delivered in 2025. His projected statistics for the season are a .244 batting average, a .706 OPS, seven home runs, and 34 RBIs. Although this isn\u2019t quite the breakout performance many fans were hoping for, it would still represent an improvement over the Braves\u2019 shortstop production in recent years.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1895\" data-end=\"2109\">Over the course of a full season, Kim\u2019s presence would have been a valuable asset. However, with his injury, the Braves must adjust their expectations and find a way to fill the gap at shortstop until Kim\u2019s return.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2111\" data-end=\"2161\"><strong data-start=\"2111\" data-end=\"2161\">Mauricio Dub\u00f3n: The Likely Short-Term Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2163\" data-end=\"2455\">With Kim out of commission for the first part of the season, the Braves are likely to turn to Mauricio Dub\u00f3n as their primary shortstop. Dub\u00f3n\u2019s overall projected production is not too far behind Kim\u2019s, and his solid performance could serve as a temporary, yet valuable, solution for Atlanta.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2163\" data-end=\"2455\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/minutemedia-ressh.cloudinary.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_4012,h_2256,x_0,y_0\/v1767891875\/shape\/cover\/sport\/01kef4fyphxmx1hy288v-dc90abe2907bcd1a36a96feb73ddb506.jpg\" alt=\"FanGraphs Projections Favorable for Braves Starting Rotation\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2457\" data-end=\"3018\">Projections suggest Dub\u00f3n will bat .262 with a .677 OPS, contributing five home runs and 30 RBIs. While these numbers are modest, they are still an improvement over what the Braves received from their shortstops outside of Kim\u2019s brief stint in 2025. Dub\u00f3n is expected to play in 76 games, which is a reasonable estimate given that Kim should return around the halfway point of the season. The projection assumes that Dub\u00f3n will serve as the starting shortstop while Kim is sidelined, with Kim potentially playing in relief or as a rotational option when needed.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3020\" data-end=\"3283\">Despite not being the ideal long-term solution, Dub\u00f3n\u2019s offensive contributions are expected to help stabilize the Braves\u2019 lineup during Kim\u2019s absence. His solid performance would give the team time to adjust without a massive drop-off in production at shortstop.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3330\"><strong data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3330\">Jorge Mateo: The Depth Option for Atlanta<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3332\" data-end=\"3707\">While Dub\u00f3n is likely to take on the bulk of the shortstop duties, the Braves also have depth options to consider. Jorge Mateo, another player in the mix, is projected to see limited playing time but could serve as a backup when necessary. Mateo, expected to appear in 34 games, is a depth option whose primary role will likely be to provide rest for Dub\u00f3n and Kim as needed.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3709\" data-end=\"4235\">Mateo\u2019s projected offensive production is modest, with a .226 batting average, a .628 OPS, three home runs, and 14 RBIs. While his numbers might not excite many, it&#8217;s worth noting that even Mateo\u2019s contributions are an improvement over what Braves shortstops outside of Kim produced in 2025. The Braves\u2019 shortstop position was a significant weak spot last season, and while Mateo\u2019s production won\u2019t necessarily move the needle, it does represent an improvement in a position that saw little offensive output in previous years.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4237\" data-end=\"4304\"><strong data-start=\"4237\" data-end=\"4304\">The Braves\u2019 Shortstop Dilemma: A Glimmer of Hope Despite Injury<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4306\" data-end=\"4652\">Even with Kim&#8217;s injury, the Braves are in a better position offensively at shortstop than they were last season, largely due to the projected improvements from Dub\u00f3n and Mateo. While the team will miss Kim\u2019s presence for the first part of the season, the depth options they have are projected to keep the position from being a complete liability.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4654\" data-end=\"4926\">As Kim continues his recovery, it\u2019s crucial that the Braves navigate this injury with patience and precision. The potential return of Kim in mid-June provides a ray of hope, but for now, Atlanta will rely on Dub\u00f3n\u2019s steady performance at shortstop to hold things together.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4928\" data-end=\"5246\">With the Braves\u2019 offense already one of the most potent in the league, bolstering their shortstop position with competent options like Dub\u00f3n and Mateo should give the team a fighting chance in the early part of the season. And when Kim returns to full health, his contributions will help elevate the team even further.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4928\" data-end=\"5246\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.fangraphs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ha-Seong-Kim-and-Bo-Bichette.png\" alt=\"It's a Good Thing Nobody Needs a Shortstop | FanGraphs Baseball\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5248\" data-end=\"5305\"><strong data-start=\"5248\" data-end=\"5305\">Conclusion: A Tough Start, But Hopeful for the Future<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5307\" data-end=\"5730\">The Braves\u2019 shortstop position is in flux heading into the 2026 season, but the team has enough depth to make it through the first few months while Ha-Seong Kim recovers from his injury. Projections for Mauricio Dub\u00f3n and Jorge Mateo suggest that the Braves\u2019 offense won\u2019t experience a massive drop-off despite Kim\u2019s absence, and the return of Kim in mid-June provides a sense of optimism for the second half of the season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5732\" data-end=\"6199\">While the situation at shortstop is far from ideal, the Braves\u2019 depth and solid projections should allow them to remain competitive in the National League East until their star shortstop is back in action. As Spring Training unfolds and the season kicks into gear, all eyes will be on how well Atlanta\u2019s shortstop situation holds up in Kim\u2019s absence, and how quickly Kim can return to full strength to make a significant impact in the Braves\u2019 push for the postseason.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FanGraphs Provides Favorable Projections for Braves Shortstops By Harrison Smajovits | 3 hours ago As Spring Training approaches, the Atlanta Braves find themselves in a challenging position&#8230;. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":145573,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-145572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>\ud83d\udd25 FANGRAPHS DROPS FAVORABLE PROJECTIONS FOR BRAVES SHORTSTOPS \u2014 Could This Be the Hidden Edge Atlanta Needs to Dominate the NL East in 2026? 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