6. Atlanta Braves 2013 All-Stars: Craig Kimbrel, Brian McCann, Freddie Freeman
This was the first season following the Chipper Jones era. The young Braves were led by their young first baseman as they marched to a 96-win NL East title.
Atlanta Braves 2013 All-Star: Freddie Freeman
Freeman entered the break hitting .308 with nine homers and 61 RBI. He earned the final vote in a fan vote to make the squad, setting a record with 19.7 million votes. Freeman went on to continue serving as the heart of the lineup, a hugging machine, and a major piece in the Braves’ 96-win season.
This was young Freddie’s very first All-Star selection. Alas, he was unable to play due to a jammed thumb.
He finished the season with a .319/.396/.501 triple slash with 27 doubles and 23 home runs to go with 109 RBI and 89 runs scored.
All-Star Credentials: 19 2B, 9 HR, 49 R, 61 RBI, .308 AVG, .386 OBP, .468 SLG
All-Star Stat Line: Did Not Play
2013 All-Star: Brian McCann
Once it was announced that Freeman needed to sit out the ASG due to his thumb, the NL had to add a replacement player. They turned to teammate Brian McCann.
This was McCann’s seventh and final All-Star game.
At the break, McCann had a stunning .910 OPS with 12 HRs and 32 RBI.
A wonderful accomplishment considering he was coming off of off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The injury caused McCann to hit just .202 in the final two months of the 2012 season. He was even benched in the NL Wild Card game in favor of David Ross.
Due to his recovery from the surgery, McCann missed over a month of the 2013 season, opening the door for Evan Gattis to establish himself. Even with all of those things considered, McCann played his way to his seventh All-Star squad.
All-Star Credentials: 8 2B, 12 HR, 32 RBI, .291/.374/.536
All-Star Stat Line: Did Not Play
2013 All-Star: Craig Kimbrel
In just his third full season, Kimbrel was named to his third consecutive All-Star Game. He was a part was one of only three relievers to make the NL squad.
The triumvirate consisted of Jason Grilli, Aroldis Chapman, and Kimbrel. They combined for over 70 saves at the break. Kimbrel led the way with a 1.53 ERA.
Craig was in year three of a four-year run in which he led the league in saves.
All-Star Credentials: 35.1 IP, 26 SV, 1.53 ERA, 54SO, 12 BB, 2-2 (W-L)
All-Star Stat Line: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO