The Atlanta Braves have come alive over the past few weeks, and the infield has been leading the charge.
Since coming back from the All Star break, the Atlanta Braves have seemingly flipped the script on their 2021 season. Left for dead by many when Ronald Acuña Jr. went down against the Miami Marlins on July 11th, the Braves have crawled their way back into the win column and currently (as of Aug. 19th) are in first place in the NL East at 65-56.
Many factors have contributed to this turnaround. Solid trades by GM Alex Anthopoulos before and at the trade deadline, improved bullpen play, and great starting pitching have been impactful, but one of the catalysts has been the incredible play of Atlanta’s infielders, both offensively and defensively.
Check out this tweet from Braves writer Grant McAuley:
The #Braves starting infield of Freddie Freeman (25), Ozzie Albies (22), Austin Riley (25) and Dansby Swanson (24) has combined for 96 home runs as they play Game No. 118. The 2019 Atlanta infield of Freeman (38), Albies (24), Swanson (17) & Josh Donaldson (37) combined for 116.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) August 15, 2021
It’s not crazy to say that all four of these guys could have 30 home run seasons by the end of the year.
Here are some more numbers for each infielder (WAR total is via Fan Graphs, numbers as of Aug. 19th):
- Freddie Freeman: .301/.399/.520, 137 OPS+, 3.7 WAR
- Ozzie Albies: .259/.321/.490, 107 OPS+, 3.3 WAR
- Dansby Swanson: .265/.317/.491, 106 OPS+, 2.9 WAR
- Austin Riley: .298/.374/.533, 132 OPS+, 3.0 WAR
Although Freddie and Ozzie got the recognition at the All Star Game in Denver, Austin Riley deserved to have had a spot on the NL team. Since May, Riley is ranked third among third basemen with a .532 slugging percentage, third in wRC+ (weighted runs created plus, 138), and fourth with 26 home runs (stats via Fan Graphs).
He is also leading in nearly ever major offensive category among all third basemen since the All Star break. Darkhouse MVP candidate perhaps?
AUSTIN 3:16 says that ball is gone!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/S73dhbN5LV
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 28, 2021
After an offseason filled with questions about Riley’s ability to be the third baseman of the future, it’s safe to say those questions have definitively been answered.
After a first half that saw him strikeout 109 times, Dansby Swanson has come roaring out the gate in the second half. He has hit .321 with 9 home runs and 32 RBIs in 32 games, and also set a Braves franchise record for the most home runs in a single season by a shortstop.
He is currently tied for second with Javier Baez for most HRs hit by a shortstops this year (24), ranks in several top ten stat categories among league shortstops, and has a hard hit rate of 44.8% this year, which puts him in the top ten among shortstops. (all stats via Fan Graphs).
He has also given us some defensive gems this season as well.
Ridiculous play from @LieutenantDans7 pic.twitter.com/dStLxO5fLa
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) August 12, 2021
Dansby and Ozzie even got some love from the guys at MLB Network:
"They are the best combination in baseball."
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 17, 2021
Do you agree with Harold?#MLBTonight | @Braves pic.twitter.com/i0WnAqCUgo
With the Braves finding their groove as of late, their infielders deserve lots of praise for their stellar work this season. Combine their play with the way the rest of the team is playing, and we might get to see Chop-tober after all in 2021.
Go Braves!