House That Hank Built
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The Atlanta Braves All-Decade Team (2009-2019)

By Matthew Browning

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 06: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves awaits the pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning in game three of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium on October 06, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 06: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves awaits the pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning in game three of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium on October 06, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 05: Chipper  Jones
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 05: Chipper  Jones /

Catcher — Brian McCann

This was a no-brainer.

From 2010-2013, B-Mac hit 85 home runs and drove in 272 runs for the Braves and was selected to three All-Star games.

His best season was in 2011 when he hit 24 bombs and had an OPS+ of 122 en route to the Silver Slugger award.

Brian McCann came back to Atlanta in 2019 and was part of a platoon with Tyler Flowers. In 277 at-bats, McCann hit 12 home runs and drove in 45 runs.

First Base — Freddie Freeman

Perhaps one of the most underrated players in all of baseball throughout the decade, Freddie Freeman was an All-Star in 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019.

In 2013, Freeman hit .319 with 23 home runs and followed that up in 2014 with a .288/.386/.471 line.

Freeman’s best season was actually 2016 when he finished sixth in the MVP voting. He hit 34 home runs, while batting .301 and an OBP of .400.

In 2019, Freeman set career-highs in home runs (38) and RBI (121) while leading the Braves to the NL East crown.

Second Base — Ozzie Albies

There was a brief moment where I considered Dan Uggla, who hit 36 bombs in 2011 and led the league in walks (94) in 2012.

But Ozzie Albies is just too good to justify taking Uggla.

In his first full season in 2018, Albies hit 24 home runs and drove in 72 runs, while earning an All-Star selection. He did, however, struggle down the stretch of the season.

The follow-up season in 2019 for Albies was more impressive, as he led the National League in hits and is likely going to earn his first Gold Glove.

Shortstop — Andrelton Simmons

No trade was as scrutinized during the “rebuild” than the one that sent Andrelton Simmons to the Angels for Sean Newcomb and others.

Simmons wasn’t a great offensive player for the Braves in three-plus seasons in Atlanta. His best season was 2018 when he hit 17 bombs.

But from a defensive perspective, there was nobody better, as he won back-to-back Gold Gloves in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, his defensive WAR was 5.5 (!) and was 3.9 in 2014.

Third Base —  Chipper Jones

Even as he approached his 40th birthday, Jones was still able to swing a decent bat in the third spot in the order.

While his batting average and power were not as impressive as the prime of his career, Chipper struck out 178 times in all three seasons (2010-2012) combined.

For context, Dan Uggla struck out 156 times in 2012 alone.

Jones was an average defender in those final three seasons and earned All-Star selections in 2011 and 2012.

I thought about Martin Prado, but how could I not give this to Chipper Jones?!

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