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Atlanta Braves: The Front Office Might Be Lazy, But Don’t Sleep on This Team

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after clinching the NL East Division against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after clinching the NL East Division against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – MARCH 12: Ronald  Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves hits a double in the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Champion Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – MARCH 12: Ronald  Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves hits a double in the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Champion Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

MVP Type Talent in the Lineup

Just having talent doesn’t win you championships — see Anaheim Angels/Mike Trout — but it doesn’t hurt.

The Atlanta Braves will have three potential MVP candidates in their lineup on Opening Day.

The aforementioned Josh Donaldson already has an MVP under his belt. Freddie Freeman has finished in the top six of the NL MVP voting three times. And he was the leader for most of the first half last season before falling off late.

And everyone believes that Ronald Acuna will at least compete — if not win — an MVP someday.

Honestly, had Acuna started last season with the Braves — or not missed a month with an injury — he would have competed for the MVP last year.

Even with the limited time he did play, he finished 12th in the NL MVP voting.

There aren’t many lineups in baseball that will have three potential MVP candidates batting two-through-four.

If they can just get average years from everyone else in the lineup, this offense has a chance to be great in 2019.

We will have some players who will regress — Nick Markakis — but I also believe we’ll have others who will emerge — Dansby Swanson.

And if Ozzie Albies gets back to hitting like he did in the first half of 2018 when he was in the MVP conversation, watch out.

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