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Atlanta Braves first half awards: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, top minor-leaguers

By Jeff Schafer

MIAMI, FL - JULY 09: Ronald Acuna #24 of the Atlanta Braves and the World Team looks on against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 09: Ronald Acuna #24 of the Atlanta Braves and the World Team looks on against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JULY 02: Ender Inciarte
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 02: Ender Inciarte /

Most Valuable Player – Ender Inciarte

How can you not give this award to Ender Inciarte?  Well, if Freddie Freeman never got hurt, maybe.  But the 26-year-old dominated pitchers in the first half of the 2017 season.  He collected 112 hits in 87 games which is insane!

The Braves lone All-Star in 2017 slashed .302/.350/.407 in 371 at-bats.  He had one triple, 16 doubles, seven homers, 11 stolen bases and 29 walks.  Hitting out of the leadoff position, Inciarte had 36 RBIs and 58 runs scored.  Scoring 58 times with the best hitter on the team out of the lineup is pretty good!

A cool stat by Grant McAuley…Ender is on pace to get 211 hits, 30 doubles, 13 home runs, 66 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.  Umm, that could be numbers for the MVP of the league.

I’m so glad Atlanta and Inciarte agreed to a five-year deal prior to this season.  The $30.53 million until 2021 and a 2022 team option sounds like a steal right now.  I’d pay that just to watch him every night!

Inciarte won a Gold Glove in 2016 and was rewarded a trip to Miami for the 2017 All-Star game.  His best years seem to be in front of him and we’re just getting a glimpse of what he can be!

Honorable Mentions: Matt Kemp, Brandon Phillips…and yes, I’ll throw in Freeman

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