Nick Allen DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

X-rays were negative on Atlanta Braves shortstop Nick Allen (hand), according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. Braves fans held their breath after a pitch hit Allen's right knuckles, but it sounds like he avoided any broken bones. With that said, he could still miss time, especially given that he was removed from Thursday's game after being hit by the pitch. The 26-year-old has played solid defense in his first season with Atlanta, serving as their everyday shortstop with 46 appearances at the position. He owns a 68 wRC+ but has contributed six stolen bases and 9.8 dWAR.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and shortstop Nick Allen will start Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies on the bench. Stuart Fairchild is starting in right field and batting seventh, while Luke Williams is starting at shortstop and batting out of the nine-hole against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. Acuna made his long-awaited return last week after suffering a torn ACL in his knee last year and promptly hit the first pitch he saw out of the ballpark last Friday night. The 27-year-old former MVP has gone 5-for-16 so far with two homers, three RBI and two runs in his first four games. Although he may not run as much as he did before his second ACL tear, Acuna still has the potential to be a difference-maker in fantasy. Expect him to return to the lineup for Game 2 of the twin bill.

Atlanta Braves infielder Nick Allen, who has taken over primary shortstop duties from Orlando Arcia early in 2025, credits his improvements on offense this year due to better eyesight. Arcia ranked last among qualified shortstops in wins above replacement (0.8) and wRC+ (72) in 2024. Allen had a .537 OPS in 760 plate appearances for the Athletics from 2022-24, but he started wearing goggles this year to battle an astigmatism that affected his vision, mainly during night games. Along with a drop in offensive production since the All-Star break in 2023, Arcia seems to have lost some range on defense. The 26-year-old Allen entered Tuesday's game hitting .278 (5-for-18) with a double, RBI and two steals in five games played. While it's nothing to write home about, and he's not going to provide much power at all, it's notable for those in NL-only leagues.

Atlanta Braves infielder Nick Allen will retreat to the bench for Sunday's series finale at Truist Park against the division-rival Miami Marlins, with Orlando Arcia starting at shortstop and batting eighth against Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. Allen made four straight starts at the 6 for Atlanta, going 4-for-14 with a double, RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored. Meanwhile, Arcia has gone 2-for-13 with five strikeouts in his first four games of the 2025 season. Arcia was expected to be the team's starting shortstop, but it appears Allen is getting a legitimate shot to take over everyday duties in the early going. While he's hitting .400 with a 1.600 OPS with a homer and two RBI in five career at-bats versus Alcantara, it won't be an easy matchup and Arcia should be avoided in DFS lineups. It will be telling who the Braves go with on Tuesday for the start of a series against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman feels that Atlanta Braves infielder Nick Allen could have the early edge to begin the 2025 season as the team's backup infielder over Christian Cairo, who was a Rule 5 pick from the Cleveland Guardians this offseason. Cairo needs to stay on the big-league roster all season unless the Braves want to risk losing him back to Cleveland. In addition to Allen, infielder Luke Williams' chances of making the Opening Day roster are helped by the fact that he's out of minor-league options. The Braves acquired Allen from the Athletics in November. The 26-year-old has hit only .209/.254/.283 in three major-league seasons, but he does impress with his glove and could also play second base in a pinch if Ozzie Albies is injured again in 2025. Bowman writes that Allen's bat conjures memories of former Braves infielder Rafael Belliard.