Atlanta Braves awards watch: Who could take home some hardware
The regular season is winding down, and thus entails it’s time to look at some Atlanta Braves who could bring home some hardware.
The Atlanta Braves players, coaches, and executives should be in line to get some recognition and with that, let’s see whose name could be announced for some big-time awards.
NL MVP
The Braves have two players who should be in the conversation for the top award in the senior circuit. Obviously we are talking about Ronald Acuna and Freddie Freeman.
Christian Yelich was probably in the lead to win the award before breaking his right kneecap in Milwaukee’s game Tuesday. That leaves Cody Bellinger as the favorite at this point. Anthony Rendon might be able to grab some votes as well.
I’ve been very vocal these past few months about how I believe Freddie Freeman is the NL MVP at this point. I think he is still 3rd or 4th in the media’s mind so hopefully he can finish strong and have a better shot at it.
NL Rookie of the Year
Being honest, this award is probably already sitting on Pete Alonso’s shelf at his house, but Mike Soroka should be in the top 2 or 3, no doubt. Most years, the season Soroka has had, he would be the favorite, but it just didn’t line up for him this year. Still, a top three finish is a great year.
NL Comeback Player of the Year
I honestly have no clue who will be the winner of this or who should be the favorite. My guess is Brian McCann will be considered, and maybe even Josh Donaldson?
I don’t think either one will win, both for different reasons.
Josh Donaldson played too much last year, in my opinion, to be considered and Brian McCann’s second half dropoff.
Odds are someone like Sonny Gray, Pablo Sandoval, Corey Seager, or Kris Bryant will probably win this award.
NL Manager of the Year
I feel extremely good Brian Snitker will go back-to-back in this category. Remember, many pundits had the Atlanta Braves finishing 4th in the division or 3rd at best. As we all know now, the Braves are on the cusp of winning the NL East again.
Not to mention, we are still right in the hunt for the best record in the NL.
Usually, this award goes to the manager of the team that surprises most and makes the playoffs. For that reason alone, we may see Cardinals manager Mike Shildt get some votes and be the biggest competition to Snitker.
Being frank, Dave Roberts will most likely be hurt by the fact his team was expected to do what it did.
So in retrospect, who 5 years ago thought we would be saying Brian Snitker would be the favorite to win his second in a row manager of the year for the Braves?
Executive of the Year
Some were very vocal at the beginning of the year about the moves Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos made or maybe more-so the moves he didn’t make. Well, we all relish in the glory now.
Most moves he has made since taking over the helm of the Atlanta Braves front office have worked out greatly.
None maybe bigger so than the signing of Josh Donaldson this past winter. Add on the fact he was able to sign star players Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies to below-market deals, if we are being honest, are the types of moves that win this award.
That all goes without mentioning the August depth moves and trades made at the deadline which have all proved important.
All of that considered, is why I think Alex Anthopoulos is the favorite to win this award throughout the entire game.
Gold Gloves
Honestly, I think the whole Atlanta Braves infield (minus the catcher) should be the favorites for their positions in the Gold Glove chase.
Freddie Freeman can make any play at first base, while Ozzie Albies can do the same at second base.
We have all marveled at how well Josh Donaldson can dive and make a difficult play look routine. And as I said here last week, Nolan Arenado will probably win it again, but if he does, it is strictly based on name alone this season.
Dansby Swanson may be the most difficult to argue he should be a favorite though, and that’s mainly because he missed so much time in these last few weeks.
However, if you watch most Braves games, Dansby is an outstanding defender and has improved on that side of the ball so much in the last few years.
Silver Sluggers
I don’t think we will have a (mini) surprise like we did with Nick Markakis last year.
This one is fairly simple. The Braves top four hitters should all be in the running for Silver Sluggers. Of course, we are talking about Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna, and Josh Donaldson.
I feel best about Acuna and Freeman bringing this award home.
Hopefully the Braves are able to maybe get three though — we shall see.
Hank Aaron Award
How great would it be to see a Brave win this award? A common theme so far has been for hitting awards, its gotta be Acuna and Freddie who are the Braves with a shot n– that is no different here.
Whoever wins the MVP has to be the favorite for this award as well, so that would lead me to believe that as of now, it would go to Cody Bellinger.
Braves bullpen still a question mark. dark. Next
As you can see, the Atlanta Braves have no shortage of opportunities to bring some hardware back to Atlanta this fall. However, the most important hardware we want is for the team to be holding the World Series trophy up in about a month and a half.