3 current MLB players may enter the Hall of Fame with a Braves logo on their cap
We take a look at three players who are trending towards Cooperstown as representatives for the Atlanta Braves.
First of all, congratulations to Todd Helton, Joe Mauer, and Adrian Beltre for their deserving spots in the Hall of Fame. Once inductees were announced, it allowed an opportunity to think about what current players are on their way to the hall with a Braves "A" on their cap. Here is a list of three players we think will get the “call for the hall”.
3 current MLB players who may enter the Hall of Fame as Braves
Austin Riley
Austin Riley may be the most underappreciated player in all of Major League Baseball. He could be the best third baseman in all of baseball. In his five-year career, Riley has been insanely consistent with eye-popping numbers. In five seasons, he has finished top 10 in National League MVP voting on three separate occasions.
Now, the first two seasons were rough but that's when he was struggling with laying off breaking pitches. He's lowered his strikeout percentage since debuting in 2019 and has increased his walk rate.
Since 2021, Riley has finished each season at or above a 5 fWAR and currently owns a career fWAR of 15.7 with 134 HR, 373 RBI, a 126 wRC+, and a .850 OPS. Riley has two Silver Slugger Awards and two All-Star appearances as well.
Those stats are certainly indicative of a player who has aspirations of ending their career considered a candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame. He will need to have more seasons like he's had in recent years and earn a few more accolades possibly even an MVP award to make that decision all the more simple.
If he plays for 15 seasons, he is on pace to end his career with over 400 long balls. Riley is averaging 26.8 home runs per season right now.
Ronald Acuña Jr.
There is no question that Ronald Acuña Jr. is in the conversation of the best player in baseball right now. However, if he continues at this pace, even if he slows down in his later years, he will be in the conversation for the greatest player of all time.
In just six short seasons, Acuña already has the following accomplishments: National League Rookie of the Year, National League MVP, 4X All-Star, and 3X Silver Slugger. He is also on pace to hit over 400 career home runs in a 15-year span from the leadoff spot which is absurd to think about.
A career WAR of 26.7 is a great place to start and he owns a career average of .292 with 161 HR, 402 RBI, 143 wRC+, and .388 wOBA.
He will continue to be a speed threat in his younger days as long as he stays healthy. However, it is hard to say what he is on pace for because inevitably time and age will take over and slow even the best base stealer down.
Ronald has 180 stolen bases over 6 years which averages to 30 stolen bases a season. If he keeps that pace he will have 450 stolen bases considering that 15-year mark. That would give him the 55th most stolen bases in baseball history.
If there is one knock against Acuña, it's that he isn't the best defensive outfielder. He has a great arm and makes some great throws but he doesn't have the best range. Acuña's OAA sits at -12 for the position of right field.
Freddie Freeman
Forget all of the Freddie Freeman saga stories when he left Atlanta as a free agent following winning the World Series in 2021. Freeman had unbelievable success in 12 seasons with the Braves.
Regardless of how long he spends with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he will be remembered as an Atlanta legend and he will remember the team that gave him his start. Freddie notoriously loved his time in Atlanta. So, it's not out of the realm of possibility he could go into the hall as a Brave.
If Freddie Freeman retired today, he would have an argument for the Hall of Fame. He is a career .301 hitter with 321 home runs and over 1143 runs batted in. Freeman is the current active leader in all of Major League Baseball for runs scored (1217) and doubles (473).
Freeman has only gotten better since leaving Atlanta, posting at least a 7 fWAR over two seasons with the Dodgers. His career fWAR sits at 58.3 with a .383 career wOBA, a .902 OPS, a 27 OAA, and 6.8 UZR. This shows just how great he is offensively and defensively.
He is a 7X All-Star, 3X Silver Slugger, and has one Gold Glove Award. If that isn't enough, he also earned a Most Valuable Player award in 2020 and is a perennial MVP candidate. He has finished in the top 10 in MVP voting for six consecutive seasons now. That is what you call elite consistency.
Freeman is destined for the Baseball Hall of Fame as he is one of the most well-rounded players of the current generation and one of the good guys in the league. No matter the hurt it caused seeing him leave, he will always have a place with the Atlanta Braves.