As the Braves evaluate their lineup moving forward, the middle infield is by far the most pressing concern.
Nick Allen, as fantastic as he is defensively, cannot be starting everyday while hitting .221 with zero power to speak of. Shortstop has been a dark spot in Atlanta since Dansby Swanson departed in free agency three years ago, and with nobody coming up through the minor-league ranks to save them, it’s about time Alex Anthopoulos took a significant swing at the position.
Ozzie Albies‘ struggles are also concerning. The Braves will pick up his $7 million option for next season, hoping he can bounce back in 2026, but they need to have some type of backup plan in place. Albies owns just a .228 average and a .625 OPS this season, numbers that suggest the Braves must begin planning for alternatives if he fails to rebound.
Financial constraints and other roster needs may prevent the Braves from acquiring two starting-caliber middle infielders this winter, but one potential solution already exists in-house. Nacho Alvarez Jr. could be the answer, who, after a slow start, has started to prove he’s ready for the show.
Alvarez has been fantastic defensively at the hot corner in place of Austin Riley. So much so, the Braves should feel comfortable sliding him over to second base without any concerns, and it’s possible they even try him out at shortstop again.
Offensively, it took Nacho Alvarez a little while to get going at the major-league level. He struggled in his cup of coffee with the Braves last season, recording a -26 OPS+ (126% below league average), and that continued this year. In his first 19 games with the major-league club, he hit .197 with a .562 OPS.
However, adjusting to the best pitchers on the planet takes some time, and Alvarez appears to be finding his footing. Over his last nine games, he’s hitting .364 with an OPS north of .900, much more in line with the numbers he was producing for AAA Gwinnett.
At minimum, Nacho Alvarez has shown he belongs at the big-league level. In 28 games, he’s accumulated 1.1 WAR, nearly matching Albies’ 1.3 WAR in 131 games. That gap cannot be overlooked as the Braves plan for 2026 and beyond. Whether as a full-time second baseman or a super-utility piece, Alvarez has earned the right to be part of that conversation.
