Struggling Stars: Albies and Harris at the Heart of Braves’ 2025 Slump
Two of the Atlanta Braves’ most vital players — Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II — are enduring unexpectedly poor seasons, raising alarms about both their futures and the team’s trajectory in 2025.
Once cornerstones of the franchise’s core, both have seen their performance dip dramatically, contributing to Atlanta’s struggles and sparking serious long-term questions.
Albies’ Power Disappearing at the Wrong Time
Known for his pop at the plate and switch-hitting versatility, Ozzie Albies has long been one of MLB’s top offensive second basemen. But this season has been a major step back.
For the first time in his career, he’s slugging below .400, well off his career average. The most concerning trend is his production from the right side of the plate. Once dominant against lefties, Albies is now posting a .511 OPS in those matchups—a staggering drop from his career mark of .888.
Some believe a lingering wrist issue might be holding him back, but others worry the decline could be permanent.
With 2025 marking the final guaranteed year of his team-friendly contract—and two club options ahead—the Braves front office could be nearing a decision point. If his power doesn’t return soon, they may have to consider parting ways.
Harris Slumping to the Bottom of MLB Leaderboards
As concerning as Albies’ dip is, Michael Harris II is in the middle of an even more severe slide. Once viewed as a breakout star, Harris has become the least productive qualified hitter in the majors this year.
Entering play with a .212 average and a .558 OPS, he ranks dead last among all 159 qualified MLB hitters.
Advanced stats tell a similarly grim story. His launch angle has flattened, his hard-hit rate has fallen, and his barrel percentage has nosedived. He’s hitting more grounders, fewer line drives, and showing little plate discipline.
Harris is chasing pitches at a 42.3% clip, one of the worst rates in baseball. Even more concerning? He hasn’t drawn a walk since May 18 — that’s 130 plate appearances without a single walk.
Fixing a mechanical and mental slump mid-season is never easy. And with Harris signed through 2030 on a $49 million deal, there’s a lot riding on his ability to turn things around.
Different Paths, Same Dilemma for Atlanta
Albies, now 27, could be nearing the end of his time in Atlanta. Harris, just 24, is a long-term piece the Braves hoped to build around. But both are critical to the offense — and both are underwhelming in 2025.
If Harris’s regression proves more than temporary, Atlanta could be dealing with a long-term anchor in the lineup. Still, his early career performance gives some hope. He’s one of just nine players in Braves history to post an OPS of .790 or higher before turning 24, joining names like Ronald Acuña Jr., Hank Aaron, Freddie Freeman, and Eddie Mathews.
Time Running Out to Reignite the Braves’ Identity
The Braves still have the talent to contend, but if they want to rediscover their championship-caliber form, they’ll need Albies and Harris to rebound quickly.
Right now, their struggles are taking a toll on the team’s identity — and the standings are starting to show it.
Leave a Reply