1. Dansby Swanson
.277 avg, 24 HR, 98 R, 95 RBI, 18 SB, .114 OPS+
Dansby Swanson became a clubhouse leader after Freddie Freeman’s departure. Now the Braves are facing another situation where the best player on the team is set to become a free agent.
Sign Dansby!
Dansby is the heart and soul of this team. He grew up just minutes from Truist Field and has been with the Braves longer than any other player on the roster.
It’s worth posting this quote fromGrant McAuley discussing a conversation with Brian Snitker on Dansby’s mental toughness from earlier this season.
"Most first rounder’s, especially number one overall picks, they’re gonna come with an extreme amount of expectations a lot of other players never have to live under that microscope. I think Swanson’s done a nice job of rolling throughout his career and this year, even today Brian Snitker was saying this is mentally the toughest player that [he’s] ever been around and that’s saying something after four and a half decades in the game. I don’t think that’s just something he’s saying just to say it, I think Dansby has done a nice job of really trying to live through that hype and rise obviously to the expectations and for whatever reason, timing has shined on the year 2022 and it’s looked awfully good. He’s been the Braves MVP and I don’t even think there’s really a debate for that to this point in the year."
Dansby has taken his game to a new level this season. He is putting the exclamation point on what is the greatest offensive season ever by a Braves shortstop.
On top of that, he’s probably going to win a Gold Glove at one of the most difficult positions to play in baseball.
Fangraphs “Def” rating has Dansby at another level over any other shortstop in the NL. Baseball Savant has Dansby in the 100th percentile in Outs Above Average (OAA). Essentially, he couldn’t possibly be any better. He’s been the MVP for the Braves this season. He is our top player as we enter the postseason and an uncertain offseason for Dansby and the Braves.
How would you rank the Braves’ top 10 players from the 2022 season? Post your ranks in the comments!