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Atlanta Braves: The scope of Josh Donaldson’s impact

By Alex Burke

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Third baseman Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates in the dugout with an umbrella after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 06, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Third baseman Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates in the dugout with an umbrella after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 06, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves high fives Ronald  Acuna Jr. #13 after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves defeated the Phillies 7-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves high fives Ronald  Acuna Jr. #13 after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves defeated the Phillies 7-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Clubhouse chemistry was there

One of the most memorable Donaldson moments from the season was when he caused the benches to clear because he didn’t like the way Joe Musgrove was looking at him.

Not only did Donaldson go on an offensive tear after this game, it highlighted the cocky swagger that he brought to the Atlanta Braves, which was not as loud among other veterans on the team.

While there is clearly intrinsic value derived from Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis, Brian McCann, and Dallas Keuchel‘s more quiet, lead-by-example approaches on the field, I believe that Donaldson’s personality alone made an impact in that the team can’t help but to exude more confidence when he’s on the field with them.

Contrary to what someone whose only exposure to Donaldson thus far has been watching the YouTube compilation of him getting pissed off might think, he’s not a selfish player.

In fact, his willingness to move to the cleanup spot in the lineup, despite the illustrious success that he’d had in the 2-hole throughout his career, helped Freddie Freeman and the Braves, as a whole.

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That particular lineup change was a necessary one as Brian Snitker needed someone to turn to as a cleanup option once he realized that Acuña is much better suited as the team’s leadoff hitter.

Donaldson’s very solid 132 wRC+, which means that he created 32% more runs than a league-average player would, as a cleanup hitter made the Braves lineup much more dangerous than when Markakis was penciled into the 4-spot every day in 2018.

Once Snitker’s tinkering with the lineup slowed and it became clear what the first four or five names were going to be on the lineup card day in and day out, Donaldson’s value to the Braves became even higher because he allowed it to all fit.

While Ozzie Albies did some fine work as the team’s leadoff hitter for 29 games, his best came when he had a 117 wRC+ hitting second in the lineup.

Similarly, Freddie Freeman had an offensive boost in part because of Donaldson hitting behind him as his OPS was .911 in games before and .947 in games after.

This season showed the Atlanta Braves front office and fans alike why Donaldson would be an excellent option to bring back in free agency.

At his best he’s one of the best players on the team and brings emotion on the field that energizes the team.

While at his least, he’s a talented cleanup hitter who seemed to enjoy his time with the team and quality cleanup hitters are hard to find.

Next. Predicting the Braves offseason. dark

Here’s to hoping JD and the Atlanta Braves can strike a deal this offseason that brings back the Bringer of Rain.

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