Number one… Freddie
I wanted to build some drama for number one on each list, but Freddie Freeman is so obviously the man, I couldn’t.
Freeman gave the league a hint of what was ahead with a pinch-hit home run off Roy Halladay on September 21, 2010. He took over the everyday first-base job in 2011 and isn’t going to relinquish it any time soon.
He’s taken over the mantle of team leader and face of the franchise from his friend and mentor Chipper Jones and made it known he wants to remain an Atlanta Brave for the remainder of his career.
Over his last five seasons, Freeman’s batted .299/.390/.537/.927, with a .388 wOBA and 142 wRC+.
His Atlanta Braves plus stat line (AVG+/OBP+/SLG+) reads 113/116/121 with 137 wRC+ and a .376 wOBA.
Freeman finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2011, was an All-Star in 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019, and finished in the top-ten for NL MVP five times, and MLB Network named the Atlanta Braves first sacker the top first baseman in baseball for 2019.
Honorable mentions
Players who were close, but failed to make the list, include Bob Horner(1978-1986), Felipe Alou (1964-1969), Chris Chambliss(1980-1986), John Morrill (1876-1888), and Tommy Tucker (1891-1896).
Jim O’Rourke (1872-1880) lacked enough games to make the list. As a member of the Boston Red Stockings O’Rourke batted .313/340/.435/.775, posted a .353 wOBA and 136 wRC+, which earned him 16.5 fWAR.
O’Rourke’s plus stat line (AVG+/OBP+/SLG+) reads 117/120/131, making him roughly 20% better than his peers. The veteran’s committed elected O’Rourke to the Hall of Fame in 1945.
That’s a wrap
First-base proved harder than I believed it would. I know Tenney would enjoy watching Freeman use the techniques he introduced into the game 120+ years ago. Torgeson and Adcock were big hitters like McGriff and Freeman; they’d make a lot more money today.
I’ll work my way around the diamond as the week goes on, so stay tuned here at the take and see if any other current or recent Atlanta Braves are on the list.