BREAKING: Fully Healthy Acuña Jr. and Profar Poised to Make Braves 2026 Offense MLB’s Most Dangerous.
ATLANTA, GA – The Atlanta Braves, despite a scoring output that was above average in 2025, never truly unleashed their full offensive firepower due to critical injuries and suspensions. However, early projections for the 2026 season suggest that the team is poised for an explosive offensive surge, thanks to the expected full-strength returns of two cornerstone players: Ronald Acuña Jr. and Jurickson Profar.
While the team managed to produce runs, their star power was notably absent for large stretches. Former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. was limited to just 95 games as he continued to recover from his second career ACL tear and dealt with lingering lower-body issues. Similarly, the mid-season acquisition of left-fielder Jurickson Profar was immediately hampered by an 80-game suspension, limiting him to just 80 games played in a Braves uniform.
The Full Firepower Atlanta Never Saw
The key to the Braves’ 2026 potential lies in the continuous, uninterrupted presence of Acuña and Profar at the top of the lineup.
Acuña, who was still recovering and reportedly adjusting his game plan in 2025, is now heading into his first full, healthy offseason since before his historic 2023 MVP campaign. The expectation is that a completely healthy Acuña will not only return to his elite power hitting but also re-integrate his game-changing speed, setting the table for the heart of the order.
Profar, despite the layoff, showed flashes of his high on-base ability and corner power, finishing with a solid on-base percentage in his limited time. A full season of a focused Profar in the projected No. 2 or No. 6 slot would drastically deepen the lineup.
The Most Dangerous Run-Scoring Machine in MLB
Adding a full season of elite production from a healthy Acuña and a high on-base presence from Profar to an already stacked core—featuring Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley—transforms the Braves lineup.
Experts are already buzzing about the potential for Atlanta to become the most dangerous run-scoring machine in MLB. The projected lineup length ensures that there are virtually no easy outs, creating constant pressure on opposing pitchers and forcing them to contend with MVP-caliber talent from the first inning to the ninth.
If both stars remain healthy and productive throughout the 162-game schedule, the 2026 Atlanta Braves will finally be able to unleash the full offensive arsenal their fans have been waiting to see, making them the clear favorites for the National League East title.
