The Atlanta Braves traded for utility man Mauricio Dubon to replace former infielder Nick Allen’s defense in the field. Despite having a down season in 2025 — hitting .241 with a .644 OPS — Dubon could see a resurgence in 2026 after talking to his childhood idol and Braves legend, Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones.
“There’s no coincidence that he came here, talked to me a little bit and I got three hits after it,” Dubón said to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. “Listening to him talk and picking his brain, he’s just able to simplify stuff and make it make sense, It’s just different when a guy like that talks.”
A switch-hitter, Dubon received advice from one of the best . Jones was the winner of the 1999 National League MVP. His accolades include a 303 career batting average, 2,726 hits, and 468 home runs in 19 seasons. Dubon had success in 2023, hitting .278 with an OPS of .720 and 10 home runs over 132 games.
So far, Dubon is having a great spring training. He is batting .313 with two doubles and two walks in seven games with Atlanta.
Mauricio Dubon always had a “chip” on his shoulder
“I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder,” Dubón said to Bowman. “Every year, I’ve wanted to prove to people what I can do. People will always guess second. In the beginning, they’re doubters, and then it’s, ‘You know, the guy can play.’ I’m excited to show everybody that I can play.”
Dubon was a former 26th-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 2013 MLB Draft, while spending six seasons in the minor leagues. Becoming the 21,977th player to debut in the major leagues in July 2019 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Dubon went 0-1.
The now 31-year-old was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the San Francisco Giants after two games. The Brewers received right-hander Ray Black and left-hander Drew Pomeranz in return.
Mauricio Dubon is your Atlanta Braves Shortstop❤️
3-for-3 Game!!😳#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/PIjdn6u1Ej
— Eric Yu (@Eric35_Yu) March 5, 2026
Mauricio Dubon will get his opportunities to start for the Braves this season.
Playing everywhere on the field, Dubon will offer manager Walt Weiss a versatile player to plug and play when he needs to shore up the defense. Dubon provided a positive defensive run saved for six out of the eight positions he’s played in his career.
Outfielder Jurickson Profar made left field open after getting suspended for his PED use (162 games), and infielder Ha-Seong due to an injured finger, leaving shortstop up for grabs. Dubon has a negative defensive runs saved at shortstop (-2) and third base (-4).
(Top Image Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
