The 2017 All-Star break has arrived and marked the unofficial halfway point of the season, so we figured we’d look back at the first half of the season and give out some awards.
The Atlanta Braves finished off the “first half” of the 2017 season pretty strong. Their record shows 42-45, but the Braves are looking like a playoff team right now.
The Braves currently sit 9.5 games behind the Washington Nationals for first place in the NL East and 8 games out of a Wild Card position. Those WC spots are currently being held by the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies…both teams may and could very well fall off.
With Freddie Freeman returning after seven weeks, and Sean Rodriguez, Adonis Garcia, and Micah Johnson all on their way back, this team could catch fire in the second half of the season.
The one thing I don’t want the Braves to do is to sell the farm in anticipation to win this year. We don’t have Frank Wren running the ship anymore and I don’t think John Coppolella will make any questionable moves to jeopardize the future of this organization.
Though the Braves are still under .500, it just feels like we have the ability to win any ball game were playing. This lineup is very deep and opposing pitchers will have to realize that in the second half.
It’s tough to say what the Braves need heading into the final three months of the 2017 season — the one on the tip of my tongue is a starting pitcher, but when you think about it, do we?
The starting staff currently looks like this…
Yes, if the Braves could somehow trade Dickey and Garcia there would be room in the rotation, but I’m not sure they’re going to be able to. Another possibility I guess if the Braves acquire a SP would be to move Dickey or Newcomb to the bullpen…a move, at least for Newcomb, I’m not sure I see happening.
In any case, the future is unknown. What we d know is what we saw in the first half of the 2017 season. Let’s look back at how the Braves did so far…
Let’s start giving away the awards now…click the “next” tab to begin
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
Cy Young – Mike Foltynewicz
So this one was kinda difficult for me, but ultimately I went with Folty. The Braves haven’t really had a “Cy Young” candidate in the first half, but Folty has shown the brilliance in some of his starts.
Foltynewicz is currently 7-5 with a 3.77 ERA in 16 starts. He’s collected 81 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched. Seems kind of low for the flamethrower, but we’ll take it at this point.
The 25-year-old is now in his third season with the Atlanta Braves and fourth professional year. Atlanta acquired Folty, Andrew Thurman and Rio Ruiz from the Houston Astros for Evan Gattis and James Hoyt on January 14, 2015.
He was drafted by the Astros in the 1st round (19th overall) in the 2010 MLB Draft out of Minooka High School.
Folty will be entering his first year of arbitration eligibility in 2018.
The 6’4″ 220 pound righty will just continue to hit his stride and he gains more confidence later this season.
Honorable Mentions: Julio Teheran (away from SunTrust Park), Jaime Garcia (not counting his last three starts)
Rookie of the Year – Johan Camargo
I’ve got to go with Camargo…I’ve been a huge fan and begged for more playing time since his 2016 Arizona Fall League (probably others have been high on him before that). Braves manager Brian Snitker seems to have figured this out as well. Finding spots for him in the lineup is essential.
Camargo can play shortstop, third base, second base and probably the outfield if needed…he’s played one game in left field with Atlanta.
With his brief time with the Atlanta Braves, he’s slashed .327/.355/.500 with two triples, 11 doubles and one homer in his 40 games. Camargo has had only 104 at-bats and has 34 hits. The 23-year-old has picked up 14 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
One thing I do worry about is the Braves trading Camargo. With him doing so well and the Braves not exactly having a spot for him to play everyday, he could be on the trading block. With his age and skill, Camargo could be a hot commodity for other teams.
Camargo made his debut with the Braves on April 11, but his first start didn’t come until May 19.
The 6’0″ 160 pounder is from Panama and joined the Braves as an 18-year-old in 2012.
I’m hoping Camargo gets more playing time in the second half of the 2017 season and hopefully it’s with the Atlanta Braves. With the trade deadline approaching fast, could the Braves trade Brandon Phillips, Matt Adams or Camargo? Maybe…but hopefully it’s not Camargo.
Honorable Mentions: Jason Hursh, Sean Newcomb
Top minor-league hitter – Ronald Acuna
This category had a lot more to choose from than the rookie of the year one, but I’m going with Ronald Acuna. The 19-year-old is dominating the minors right now and did you read how old he is?
Acuna is currently playing with the Mississippi Braves, but could join Gwinnett by years end. He started the season with the Florida Fire Frogs, but only played there for 28 games. While in Florida, he slashed .287/.336/.478 with three doubles, five triples, three home runs, and 14 stolen bases.
Since joining double-A Mississippi, Acuna has just gotten hotter at the plate. He’s slashing .325/.374/.507 with 12 doubles, one triple, eight homers and 18 stolen bases. Acuna has picked up 29 RBIs and 27 runs scored in just 54 games with Mississippi.
The 6’0″ 180-pounder jumped from being ranked 67th by Baseball American to start the season to being ranked 11th in their latest mid-season prospect list.
BP serves as de facto #FuturesGame HR Derby. @Brewers' Ray led w/ 8; @Braves' Acuna had 6. More from @jimcallisMLB: https://t.co/BUTfDcwMhO pic.twitter.com/pOqxbh20fh
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 9, 2017
This kid could continue to jump up the Braves and MLB prospect list so I’d keep a close eye on him if you haven’t already!
Last night in the Future Game, Acuna went 0-4 at the plate, but he did show some really good signs and impressed a lot of people.
Honorable Mentions: Ozzie Albies, Tyler Neslony, Alex Jackson, Anfernee Seymour, Randy Ventura, Brett Cumberland
Top minor-league pitcher – Mike Soroka
Well, I thought the minor league top hitter was going to be tough…should have thought twice before the minor league pitching staff. I eventually went with Mike Soroka.
The 19-year-old has pitched brilliantly in the minors this season and his stats definitely back it up.
Soroka is currently pitching with the Mississippi Braves and has a record of 9-5 with a 2.55 ERA in 16 games pitched. He’s picked up 73 strikeouts compared to only 21 walks in 91.2 innings pitched. Lots of strikeouts and few walks, okay we can handle that!
The Braves chose the 6’5″ 225-pounder from Bishop Carroll High School is Calgary, Canada in the first round, 28th overall, of the 2015 MLB Draft. He shot onto the scene right away with his first full season in 2016 with the Rome Braves. He went 9-9 with a 3.02 ERA in 24 starts. We thought that was good…he said ‘wait until 2017’!
He was part of the excellent rotation in Rome last season when they won the championship, pitching the majority of the season at just 18-years-old.
Soroka looks to be the real deal. He’s got the size, arm velocity, great head on his shoulders and multiple pitches. His pitching delivery is a slow, steady movement early and a quick, consistent arm movement at the end.
He throws a great fastball and change-up and has an above-average curveball.
Soroka pitched the 3rd inning of the Futures Game on Monday night and allowed one hit and one run (which didn’t count against him) and had a strikeout.
He could eventually move up this season if the Braves want to push him along. Gwinnett could use some pitching in the second half of the season 🙂
Honorable Mentions: Kolby Allard, Joey Wentz, A.J. Minter, Tyler Pike, Luiz Gohara, Patrick Weigel (unfortunately), Lucas Sims, Sean Newcomb