Atlanta Braves awards watch: Who could take home some hardware

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.