MLB
The Surprise Of The 2018 MLB Season: The Atlanta Braves
If you thought at the start of the MLB season that the Atlanta Braves would be contenders, you are either a time traveler or a liar. Nobody thought these guys would be contenders, but here they are 53-42 and 0.5 games back of the Phillies, another surprise team this year. Today I will go through the players who have come out of nowhere to make the Braves a contending team in the N.L.
Ozzie Albies
This is the man who went from unknown prospect to MLB All-Star pretty much overnight. Albies supports a .286 average along with 115 hits so far, tied for third in the N.L. In addition, he has 20 home runs, 75 runs, and 56 RBI’s. He has been the number two hitter for the Braves this year and has raked up a lot of extra-base hits for his teammates to drive him in. He is the leading candidate for the N.L. Rookie of the Year. Ozzie also has been an above average defender, as he supports a .985 fielding percentage. With stats like this at only 21 years of age, he will be here for a while.
Nick Markakis
To be honest with you, I thought Markakis was washed up and past his prime. Turns out he has had the best year of his career at 34 years old. In addition, he hit a walk-off home run on opening day, and he hasn’t slowed down. He leads the N.L. in hits with 121 and has a .323 batting average, only 0.001 behind Scooter Gennett for the N.L. lead there. He has batted number four this year, and his job has been to drive in runs with Albies and Freeman ahead of him. He has done this very well and was rewarded with his first All-Star appearance of his career.
Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman was the only Atlanta Braves player who I had any expectations for this year. The guy was the only good player on the Braves for the last few years. Now that he has players around him, he has still played as one of their best hitters. He has 64 RBI’s, along with a .316 average and 116 hits. That means, if you are keeping track, the Braves have three of the top four leaders in the N.L. in hits.
- Nick Markakis 121 – ATL
- Freddie Freeman 116 – ATL
- Scooter Gennett 115 – CIN
- Ozzie Albies 115 – ATL
The Supporting Cast
This team would be good if those three players were the only good players on the team, but that isn’t the case. They have many great supporting players who help this team thrive. Ender Inciarte has been a solid lead-off hitter, but he is a stellar center fielder. Dansby Swanson is also a superb defensive shortstop and is an alright hitter. John Camargo has produced nicely at 3rd base. Mike Foltynewicz has also come out of nowhere to become an all-star pitcher. Arodys Vizcaino has also been a solid closer out of the pen. Lastly, Ronald Acuna Jr., who has been hurt, is the Atlanta Braves top prospect. If he lives up to the hype, this a deadly team.
Playoff Talks
I think it’s only fair with the wild N.L. that we talk playoffs. Here is how I believe the N.L. playoff picture will look.
N.L. West: Los Angeles Dodgers
N.L. Central: Chicago Cubs
N.L. East: Atlanta Braves
Wild Card: Philadelphia Phillies vs Milwaukee Brewers
NLCS Prediction: Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Even though it would be the 3rd straight matchup, I still think the Cubs and Dodgers are the two best teams in the NL and will be in the NLCS, but it won’t surprise me at all if one of those three other teams make it to this point.
