When everyone is healthy, Atlanta Braves Having at least four different players who are in the top 5 in their respective positions. But the problem in 2024 was that the Braves weren’t healthy.

Even before his season-ending injury, Braves third baseman Austin Riley wasn’t having a good season statistically. That’s why, in addition to his injury, Riley didn’t finish the 2024 season as a top-10 third baseman, according to Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter.

Instead, Reuter ranked Riley 14th on his list of the top 25 third basemen.

“Riley, who averaged 36 home runs, 99 RBI and 6.2 WAR over the past three seasons, had a down year by his standards before missing the final month and a half of the season with a fractured right hand.” wrote Reuters.

But the good news is that Reuter expects Riley to be among the elite third basemen again in 2025.

“He still had a 115 OPS+ with 26 doubles, 19 home runs, 56 RBIs and 2.9 WAR in 110 games, and with a clean bill of health he should be a top-five player at the position again in 2025.” Reuters added.

Bleacher Report writer made a similar analysis for Braves’ first baseman Matt Olson. Although Olson did not miss any games due to injury, he had a bad season by his standards.

Reuters still ranked Olson ranks 5th among all first basemen in 2024. He also designed He said Olson could improve that ranking next season.

Riley has the most room for improvement after placing 14th among third basemen on Reuters’ list. Between 2021-23, Riley finished He finishes in the top 7 in National League MVP voting every season.

During that time, he also made two All-Star teams and won two Silver Slugger awards.

During that three-year stretch, Riley hit .286 with a .878 OPS. He averaged 99 runs, 35 doubles and 56 walks per season, along with 36 home runs and 99 RBIs.

Riley finished last season with a .256 batting average, 47 extra-base hits, including 19 home runs, 56 RBIs and 63 runs batted in, in 425 at-bats in 110 games.