Locked On Braves - Daily Podcast On The Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves fans are buzzing about a potential CJ Abrams trade, but would Atlanta really pursue the Nationals’ shortstop? Jake Mastroianni breaks down why Abrams—despite his offensive upside, youth, and Atlanta ties—doesn’t fit the Braves’ defensive priorities at shortstop, citing his league-worst defensive metrics. Is Abrams’ modest production and high asking price worth trading top prospects...

Could Freddie Freeman finish his legendary career back in an Atlanta Braves uniform? Jake Mastroianni tackles burning fan questions, including the possibility of Freeman returning to Atlanta after his Dodgers contract ends, and whether a reunion as designated hitter makes sense. The mailbag dives deep into the futures of Ozzy Albies and Austin Riley, weighing potential trade scenarios, contract co...

Atlanta Braves’ non-roster invitees battle for a spot as spring training heats up—could unknown names like Chadwick Tromp, Martin Perez, or J.R. Richie become Opening Day heroes? With Sean Murphy sidelined, the backup catcher race is on, and the versatile Luke Williams emerges as a dark horse for the bench. Jake Mastroianni spotlights which non-roster invitees are poised to shape the Braves’ seaso...

Austin Riley’s struggles raise questions about the Atlanta Braves’ lineup firepower heading into 2026. After signing the largest contract in franchise history, Riley’s offensive production has dipped, leaving fans to wonder if poor health and four-seam fastball troubles are the culprit—or if the league has simply caught up to him. Jake Mastroianni traces Riley’s meteoric rise from top MLB prospect...

William Contreras continues to outperform Sean Murphy, making the Atlanta Braves’ blockbuster trade look increasingly lopsided. Despite the Braves’ intention to upgrade defensively at catcher, Contreras has blossomed into one of MLB’s top hitters at the position for the Milwaukee Brewers, while Murphy’s offensive production and health have lagged behind expectations. Did the Braves outsmart themse...

Atlanta Braves fans could witness a breakout Spring Training, with Hurston Waldrop, Jhancarlos Lara, and Didier Fuentes leading a talented pack of young arms. Can Waldrop’s devastating splitter force his way into the rotation despite team roster constraints? Will Lara’s triple-digit fastball make him a bullpen force, or does command keep him on the fringe? The stakes rise as Hayden Harris tries to...

Atlanta Braves prioritize homegrown stars over blockbuster trades—has Alex Anthopoulos perfected the art of knowing when to hold prospects? With the Braves consistently passing on high-profile trade targets like Kyle Tucker and FreddyPeralta, questions swirl about Atlanta’s conservative trade strategy versus contender risk-taking.   Jake Mastroianni scrutinizes recent prospect moves, dissecting wh...

Atlanta Braves face a pivotal offseason choice—should the front office add a big bat to the lineup or another arm to the starting rotation? With Sean Murphy and Ha-Seong Kim sidelined by injuries and limited impactful options left in free agency, Jake Mastroianni weighs the best paths forward for Atlanta's roster construction and playoff ambitions. Roster upgrades, trade targets like Nico Hoerner,...

AJC’s newest Atlanta Braves beat writer, Chad Bishop, joins Jake Mastroianni to unpack what’s next for the Braves after a tumultuous offseason. Can Walt Weiss revive Atlanta’s World Series aspirations, or will recent injuries and question marks haunt the team’s core? Jake Mastroianni and Chad Bishop break down Alex Anthopoulos’s aggressive roster moves, the pressure on stars like Ronald Acuña Jr.,...

New York Mets outshine Atlanta Braves with a flashy offseason overhaul. Can the Braves’ steady approach hold off a revamped Mets roster in the NL East race? Jake Mastroianni breaks down why the Mets’ aggressive moves—adding star power like Bo Bichette, Devin Williams, and Luis Robert—give them the edge over the Braves, who focused on shoring up depth and filling gaps with key pickups like Ha-Seong...

Are the Atlanta Braves falling behind as NL contenders? With the Mets making splashy moves for Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, and Luis Robert, while Ha-Seong Kim’s injury leaves a key Braves offseason acquisition sidelined, fans question if Alex Anthopoulos’ focus on floor-raising depth is enough. Jake Mastroianni breaks down whether the Braves’ offseason deserves a lower grade and addresses growing...

Atlanta Braves fans celebrate as Andruw Jones is finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame after a dramatic 12% voting surge, sparking debate over why it took nine years for the game’s best defensive center fielder to get his due. Are historical biases and the character clause still holding back deserving candidates? Jake Mastroianni explores Jones’s dominant decade, iconic Gold Glove streak, a...

Atlanta Braves lose newly signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim for 4–5 months after a hand injury setback, throwing the team’s infield plans into chaos just before the season. With uncertainty swirling around Kim’s return and lingering concerns over his health and recent performance, can the Braves trust Mauricio Dubón to step in and solidify the position, or does Alex Anthopoulos need to hunt for outsid...

Can the Atlanta Braves keep Ronald Acuña Jr. long-term after Kyle Tucker’s blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers? Jake Mastroianni tackles the financial reality Braves fans face amid skyrocketing MLB contracts and explores whether a salary cap or stricter luxury tax penalties are the only way to restore balance between big spenders like the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees and the rest of the le...

Atlanta Braves’ offseason could reach new heights with Chris Bassitt anchoring their rotation. Can Bassitt’s consistency and postseason versatility give Atlanta the edge they need for another World Series push? Jake Mastroianni explores why Bassitt’s proven track record—sixth in MLB innings pitched and a steady presence in big games—makes him the missing piece for the Braves, especially given his...

Atlanta Braves deepen their bullpen with the Tyler Kinley signing, but is it enough for a championship push? Jake Mastroianni breaks down Kinley's impact, the Braves’ evolving relief corps, and why increased slider usage could be the secret weapon for Kinley. With Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, and Dylan Lee anchoring the late innings, questions remain about bullpen depth and reliability beyond t...

Atlanta Braves fans face uncertainty as the team's TV rights drama heats up—will this cripple their payroll and impact future roster moves? Jake Mastroianni tackles burning questions about the Braves' regional sports network contract termination, potential revenue losses, and what this means for fan access to Braves games. Could the changing broadcast landscape make it easier—or harder—to follow R...

Atlanta Braves take bold steps to raise their floor, but is a World Series run guaranteed? Veteran pitching changes and a deepened bench headline the offseason moves, with Jeremy Hefner joining as pitching coach and Hassan Kim locked in at shortstop. Jake Mastroianni and guest analyst CJ Nitkowski spotlight how additions like Mauricio Dubón and Mike Yastrzemski enhance lineup flexibility, while th...

Alex Anthopoulos positions the Atlanta Braves as true contenders for 2026, but is his work enough to spark a return to the postseason? Jake Mastroianni dissects Anthopoulos’ offseason moves, including upgrades at shortstop with Ha-Seong Kim and Mauricio Dubon and the bolstered bullpen featuring Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez. The episode examines key expectations for Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Ri...

Atlanta Braves fans wonder: can Alex Anthopoulos still land a big-name starter, or are the Braves destined to settle for depth? Jake Mastroianni analyzes the dwindling free agent market, breaking down targets like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and the potential cost in draft picks or top arms like Hurston Waldrep and J.R. Ritchie. The episode also explores creative sign-and-trade MLB scenarios, t...

Atlanta Braves fans gear up for 2026 with five must-try New Year’s resolutions—can renewed fandom fuel a championship run? Jake Mastroianni spotlights embracing Ronald Acuña Jr.’s record-breaking performances, managing expectations for Walt Weiss’s managerial debut, and supporting the Braves community both online and at minor league games. Is this the year fans finally move past the Freddie Freema...

Atlanta Braves prospect arms are primed to take center stage in 2026, with a farm system overflowing with high-upside pitchers like Didier Fuentes, Cam Caminiti Jr., J.R. Ritchie, and Luke Sinnard. Which young gun will break through first—and could Sinard be the surprise name to crack the rotation? Jake Mastroianni and Gaurav dissect the Braves’ ongoing pitching development dominance, weigh the im...

Atlanta Braves fans, what would you give your favorite players for Christmas? Jake Mastroianni and Lindsay Crosby get festive, handing out "gifts" to Braves standouts and revealing what could unlock their full potential next season. From Michael Harris II’s need for better pitch recognition to Ozzie Albies’ quest to regain his power and avoid injury woes, no hot topic is left unwrapped. Austin Ril...

Atlanta Braves prospects shake up the future at shortstop—can John Gil and Alex Lodis finally fill the void left in the infield? With recent signings and an exciting draft class, the Braves now feature a deep pool of talent, including Tate Southisene and Cody Miller, all vying for the coveted shortstop role. The conversation spotlights elite speed, defensive projections, and the timeline for when...

Atlanta Braves face rotation uncertainty: Can Spencer Strider or Spencer Schwellenbach bounce back stronger in 2026? Jake Mastroianni weighs the odds, evaluating Strider’s need to recapture lost velocity versus Schwellenbach’s recovery from injury and altered pitch mix. With both Spencers’ futures in the balance, which arm will anchor Atlanta’s pitching staff this season? Key Braves topics include...