There has been a lot of talk about how good the offense for the Atlanta Braves will be in 2021, but the defense seems to be getting overlooked.
It might surprise you to know that by FanGraphs defensive rating, the Atlanta Braves were one of the worst defensive teams in all of baseball last year.
Now, it’s nearly impossible to measure defense and it’s probably the one aspect of the game that is best evaluated by the eye.
But FanGraphs had the Braves with a defensive rating of -12.1 last year. Only the Nationals were worse — and it was a lot worse — at -23.5.
As far as DRS (defensive runs saved) they ranked 24th at -12 with a UZR rating of -8.1 (also ranked 24th).
Of players who logged more than 100 innings for the Braves last year, Travis d’Arnaud led the way with a defensive rating of 4.3. Then it was Tyler Flowers (3.3), Dansby Swanson (2.8), Ronald Acuna Jr. (2.0), and Ozzie Albies (1.1).
Defensive metrics are brutal on first baseman as Freddie Freeman had a -1 rating, which was still seventh-best among first baseman who played at least 100 innings at the position last year.
We all know Freddie is a Gold Glove first baseman; although, I’ll admit his defense wasn’t as sharp last year as we’ve seen in years past.
Austin Riley really hurt the Braves with a -2.2 defensive rating. As did Adam Duvall with the worst defensive rating on the team at -3.1 in right field and -1.7 in left field for a combined -4.8.
And, of course, Marcell Ozuna didn’t help matters when he was in left field posting a -1.7 defensive rating.
Surprisingly, Adeiny Hechavarria picked up a -2.3 rating in just 44 innings at third base.
As you can see, defensive metrics can be wonky and aren’t the most trustworthy source for grading a team defensively.
Still, if you look at the core of this Braves team up the middle, they’re very strong defensively at catcher, shortstop, second base, and will now be elite in center with the addition of Cristian Pache.
They’ll also be strong — if not elite — at first and right field with Freeman and Acuna. I’ve gone on record several times now saying I think Acuna wins a Gold Glove in right field.
I mean… just watch this:
The glaring weaknesses will be in left field (and it’s a BIG weakness, don’t let anyone try to fool you into thinking Ozuna is even average out there — he’s terrible) and third base.
Riley still has the ability to improve there and become average — he’s actually looked solid for the most part at third base, but the metrics aren’t kind to him.
Of course, you have Ender Inciarte who can come off the bench late in games to replace Ozuna.
This defense is shaping up to be one of the best in baseball and is a huge advantage for this team that not many people are talking about going into the season. There is a good chance they have at least four players take home a Gold Glove trophy at the end of the year.