The Atlanta Braves seem to have a secret formula. They can get performances out of certain players that far exceed their performances at other clubs.
After 2023 Most Valuable Player Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a devastating ACL tear in May, the Braves quickly rebuilt their outfield using a plan similar to the one that won them the 2021 World Series.
Since the beginning of the calendar year, the Braves have brought back outfielders Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario and Jorge Soler, all of whom played key roles on the 2021 championship team. And while the first two have struggled and one of them was released, the latter has performed excellently.
Soler has been outstanding since his return, despite also missing some time recently with a hamstring strain. His performance earned him the recognition of a baseball insider, who praised Soler’s improvement in the second half.
MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan ranked Soler the eighth hitter in baseball with the biggest improvement in performance since the All-Star break by OPS, noting the symmetry between this season and 2021, when the Braves last acquired Soler through a trade.
“The Braves have reached back into winning ways in 2024, acquiring Soler in a deadline deal with the Giants to replace (Ronald Acuña Jr.), who is again out with a torn ACL,” Harrigan said. “Soler posted an .897 OPS in 16 games with the Braves, building on the 1.090 OPS he had in 11 games with San Francisco after the All-Star break.”
Not only was Soler instrumental in keeping the Braves’ offense going, but he also stepped in on defense, something that was not expected of him at this stage of his career.
Soler was exclusively a designated hitter in San Francisco, but with Marcell Ozuna locking down the DH slot for Atlanta, Soler played a role in the corner outfield. His defense was well below league average, but it’s worth getting the extra power bat in the lineup.
If Soler continues to pitch as well as he has since the break, Atlanta’s chances of making the playoffs will look significantly better. And if they get a healthy Riley and Albies to join Soler in the lineup in October, there’s no telling how far this Atlanta team could go.
More MLB: Braves star relief pitcher accomplishes rare MLB feat not seen since 2013
