House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2019 season

By Matthew Browning

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: The Atlanta Braves looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: The Atlanta Braves looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Atlanta Braves
BOSTON, MA – MAY 25: Freddie Freeeman #5 high fives Ronald Accuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves after both scoring in the third inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

5. Two top five MVPs

The Braves have, in my opinion, two of the ten best players in the National League in Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman.

Last season, in only 111 games, Acuna hit 26 home runs with an OPS+ of 144. Imagine if he can stay on the field for 140-150 games. It is not inconceivable to think Acuna could hit 40 homers.

Likely batting in front of Acuna in the batting order will be Freddie Freeman, who has finished in the top six in the MVP voting three times in his career.  Add in the fact that Josh Donaldson will be hitting in front of him and the odds are very good that Freeman is going to absolutely rake.

The safe bet would be Freeman finishing higher in the voting, but I think Acuna finishes third in the voting, while Freeman finishes fifth.

It’s happened before.  The last time 2 Atlanta Braves made the Top 5 of the MVP race in the same year was in 2003:

It also should be noted that Josh Donaldson is a wild card that should not be overlooked. If he can keep his calves in line, then a 30-homer season is very much in play.

Just two years ago, Donaldson hit 37 home runs and slugged .953 and perhaps life away from the turf in the Rogers Centre will reduce the shock on his joints and keep his legs fresher.

If you want to think super crazy, what if Ozzie Albies can avoid a second half dip in production like he did last season?

He was on pace for a 35 home run season entering play on July 1st and if he can the important aspect of getting on base to his game, then look out.

But for now:  yeah – 2 in the Top 5.

Home/Braves News