Braves insider sees "Austin Riley capable of getting into MVP conversations" in 2025

Everything that could go wrong in 2024 seemingly went wrong for the Atlanta Braves. After coming into the year as one of the World Series favorites, the injuries quickly began to pile up, with both Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. missing the majority of the season.

That being said, the Braves should find themselves in World Series conversations yet again heading into 2025. With the roster expected to be healthy heading into next season, there is a chance that the star-studded roster will be one of the most potent in the MLB.

While stars such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies might get most of the attention, Braves insider Jake Mastroianni believes that third baseman Austin Riley could take a major leap in 2025. Even though Riley is coming off a disappointing 2024, Mastroianni believes a bounceback could be on the cards for the two-time All-Star.

"I am not concerned in the slightest about Austin Riley becauase everything you see in the data says that it was pretty much in line with where his career norms have been," Mastroianni said on the latest episode of Locked on Braves. "It's just that the baseball wasn't where it's been alot of his career, so I am not worried at all." [15:30].

While injuries and a cold start to the season affected Riley's overall numbers, the 27-year-old infielder did have some solid stretches for the Braves throughout the year. If he can remain on the field for most of the campaign, Riley has the skillset and potential to become one of the best in the league.

"I'm expecting a big 2025 for Austin Riley if he can stay healthy ... I think he is capabale of getting in that MVP conversation like he has in the past," he continued on Riley's 2025 expectations. [18:34]

Braves insider Mastroianni says Freddie Freeman's success should not lead to Matt Olson's criticism

The Los Angeles Dodgers sit only one victory away from winning their second World Series title in five years. A major part of that success has been due to the first baseman, Freddie Freeman, who has hit a home run in each game of the World Series.

Freeman, a former long-time member of the Atlanta Braves, was not re-signed by the club in free agency. He opted to join the Dodgers before the 2022 season. Soon after, the club traded for Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics, making him the replacement for Freeman. That being said, Mastroianni says that Olson should not receive any hate from Braves fans because Freeman has been hot.

"Just because Freddie Freeman is having success and Freddie Freeman is really good doesn't mean you have to hate Matt Olson, and it doesn't mean that Matt Olson is bad," he said of the narrative against Olson [1:54].

While it appears likely that the Los Angeles Dodgers will win the World Series and Freddie Freeman will be named the World Series MVP, according to FanGraphs, both he and Olson rank as the top two first basemen in terms of WAR since the high-profile moves in 2022.