ATLANTA -- Every MLB debut is special. But some prove to be more memorable than others. Here is a look at the top 10 debuts in Braves history:
1) Jason Heyward
April 5, 2010 vs. CHC
2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI
There was an incredible sense of excitement surrounding the 2010 season opener against the Cubs at Turner Field. Along with this being Bobby Cox’s final season as the Braves’ manager, this would be the first season for Heyward, the 20-year-old hometown product who was widely recognized as baseball’s top prospect. There was a sense he would do something special. But it’s safe to say he bested any reasonable expectation when he hit a three-run homer with his first career swing. Heyward’s first-inning blast against Carlos Zambrano highlighted his two-hit performance in this grand debut, a 16-5 Braves win.
2) Mack Jones
July 13, 1961 at STL
4-for-5, 2B, RBI
Upon being called to the Majors, Jones was immediately placed in the leadoff spot in a lineup that featured Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews. The rookie impressed the future Hall of Famers by tallying a hit in each of his first four plate appearances. Making his four-hit debut even more impressive was the fact his first two hits, including a second-inning double, were off legendary hurler Bob Gibson.
3) John Smoltz
July 23, 1988 at NYM
8 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 K, W
Things didn’t start promisingly for Smoltz when he began his career by hitting Lenny Dykstra with a pitch. Dykstra stole second base and scored on Dave Magadan’s one-out double. But Smoltz settled in and limited the Mets to just the one run over eight innings. The future Hall of Famer entered the eighth having retired 12 of 13 batters. This road debut provided a glimpse of the pitcher’s ability to shine in big games.
4) David Hale
Sept. 13, 2013 vs. SD
5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 9 K
Hale’s bid to enjoy a long career with his hometown team never materialized after the Braves used him as a reliever throughout much of 2014 and then traded him to the Rockies the following offseason. But the Atlanta native will always remember the thrill of his debut near the end of ’13. He introduced himself to the MLB scene by recording nine strikeouts over five scoreless innings against the Padres. It remains the club record for strikeouts in an MLB debut.
5) Jeff Francoeur
July 7, 2005 vs. CHC
1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
A July 6 rainout led to a doubleheader and to the Braves promoting their top prospect from Double-A Mississippi. Before Francoeur debuted during the second game of the day, he was a well-known figure throughout Georgia. His exploits as a high school football and baseball star had been well chronicled. So, it wasn’t necessarily a surprise when his legend grew even further with the three-run homer he crushed for his first big league hit in the eighth inning of a win over the Cubs in a memorable debut.
6) Vaughn Grissom
Aug. 10, 2022 at BOS
2-for-4, HR, SB, 2 RBI
Grissom came to the MLB scene earlier than expected, but he made a great first impression. The Braves struggled to find a replacement for Ozzie Albies, who missed much of the 2022 season with a foot fracture. This led Atlanta to promote Grissom, who had played just 22 games above High-A before reaching the Majors. But he certainly looked ready as he homered and stole a base during his exciting debut at Fenway Park. He is the only Braves player to homer and steal a base in his MLB debut.
7) Bob Horner
June 16, 1978 vs. PIT
1-for-3, HR, BB, 2 RBI
Horner was taken with the first overall pick in the MLB Draft out of Arizona State on June 6, 1978. Ten days later, without any Minor League experience, he introduced himself to the big leagues by hitting a home run off future Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven. Horner hit 23 homers in 89 games that season and was named National League Rookie of the Year.
8) Jordan Schafer
April 5, 2009 at PHI
2-for-3, HR, BB, RBI
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd in Philadelphia can be intimidating, especially when its composed of fans celebrating Opening Day and the World Series title from the previous season. But Schafer silenced the crowd and introduced himself to Sunday Night Baseball’s nationally televised audience by homering in his first career plate appearance. His solo shot off Brett Myers helped Atlanta begin the 2009 season with a 4-1 win.
9) Austin Riley
May 15, 2019 vs. STL
1-for-3, HR, RBI
After Riley drilled 15 homers at Triple-A Gwinnett through the first couple weeks of May, the Braves had no choice but to bring him to the Majors. The third baseman took advantage of the situation, homering in his MLB debut. His fourth-inning leadoff shot against Michael Wacha propelled the Braves to a 4-0 home victory.
10) Larry McWilliams
July 17, 1978 vs. NYM
7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 2 K, W
McWilliams might be best known as the pitcher used to acquire Pascual Perez during the 1982 season. Without that trade, we wouldn’t have the great story about Perez getting lost on I-285. But McWilliams did something remarkable when he reached the Majors midway through the 1978 season. The lanky lefty tossed seven stellar innings in a 3-0 win over the Mets. He remains the only Braves pitcher since 1969 to allow no earned runs over seven-plus innings in an MLB debut.