Since the World Series concluded, the Braves have had an active offseason. They have traded away a player and signed contracts with two current pitching pieces. However, they are also seeing one of their best assets lauded with awards after an incredible 2024 campaign.
Chris Sale was one of Atlanta's biggest acquisitions ahead of last season and he showed everyone why the Braves took a shot on him. After his first healthy and full offseason in years, Sale looked like his former self all season.
Sale pitched well enough to win the first National League Triple Crown for pitching since Clayton Kershaw accomplished it in 2011. Atlanta's southpaw accomplished 18 wins with a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts. This should be enough to earn him his first-ever Cy Young Award.
He won awards for the MLBPA Player's Choice for Outstanding Pitcher and Comeback Player of the Year. He also received Sporting News' Comeback NL Player of the Year.
Braves' Chris Sale wins his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award over two major NL East rivals
Chris added to that impressive total, winning the Rawlings Gold Glove over two of his NL rivals. Zack Wheeler and Luis Severino were both nominated. However, Sale's career-best 4 DRS (third-best in NL) and lack of errors helped propel him to an award win.
A milestone moment🏆
— Braves On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSNBraves) November 4, 2024
Chris Sale wins his first @RawlingsSports Gold Glove Award. pic.twitter.com/tleWM22qPF
Braves insider Mark Bowman pointed out that 20 of the past 47 NL pitchers to receive a Gold Glove Award have been members of the Atlanta Braves organization. Atlanta highly values defense, especially from their pitchers.
This won't be his last award win. He was one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball and proved to everyone that he still had gas left in the tank. The only question fans have is whether he can replicate that success in 2025.
Matt Olson was also nominated as a finalist for a Gold Glove, but he lost to Arizona first baseman Christian Walker, who has won the award three consecutive seasons now.