Atlanta Braves MAILBAG: Who Has To Go When Sean Murphy and Ha-Seong Kim Return?

In this week's mailbag episode of Locked On Braves, host Jake Mastriani addresses a range of fan questions following a 5-2 start to the 2026 season. The discussion centers on roster decisions as key injured players—Sean Murphy and Ha-Seong Kim—are expected to return, raising questions about who might be cut. Mastriani identifies Kyle Farmer as the most likely candidate to be released when Murphy returns, due to his limited role and the need for depth at shortstop. When Kim returns, Mateo Smith is likely to be the one let go, though both are seen as valuable depth pieces. The episode highlights the surprising strength of the Braves' lineup depth, particularly the bottom of the order, which has produced at a top-10 OPS level in the 7th, 8th, and 9th spots. Dominic Smith emerges as a standout early-season surprise, while Austin Riley’s struggles are a major concern despite his healthy spring. The pitching staff, especially the starting rotation, has exceeded expectations with the best ERA in baseball, and Walt Weiss receives high marks for in-game management. Overall, the team’s early success is attributed to depth, defense, and strong pitching, though the top of the lineup remains a question mark. The host remains optimistic, believing the team can still improve and reach its full potential. Key takeaways include: (1) Depth at the bottom of the lineup is a major strength and has allowed the Braves to survive without their top hitters early on; (2) Kyle Farmer is the most likely to be cut when Sean Murphy returns, followed by Mateo Smith when Ha-Seong Kim comes back; (3) Dominic Smith has emerged as a critical contributor and should be kept; (4) Austin Riley’s current form is concerning despite his healthy spring, and his performance needs to improve quickly; (5) The starting rotation has been a major surprise, with the best ERA in baseball; (6) Walt Weiss has earned high marks for in-game decisions and lineup management; (7) The team’s success is not sustainable without the top three hitters (Acuna, Olsen, Riley) stepping up; (8) The City Connect jersey design is well-received, and the team’s overall identity remains strong.