6 Atlanta Braves Who Could Win Silver Sluggers in 2023
By Seth Carter
The Atlanta Braves have had a magical season. They have clinched a sixth-straight NL East title, home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and are threatening the team home run record. They are virtually a lock to win the new team Silver Slugger Award because they have a roster full of guys who have a shot at individual Silver Sluggers. Let's take a look at the six Braves who could walk away with some Silver in 2023.
6. NL Silver Slugger - 1B, Matt Olson
Matt Olson and Freddie Freeman are both top-four finalists for the MVP this year. They will forever be connected after the Braves traded for Matt Olson as Freddie Freeman's replacement prior to 2022 when Freddie signed with the Dodgers.
This year, they have both dominated. Freeman has continued his legacy of excellence with a .331 batting average, 28 homers, 207 hits, 128 runs scored, 101 RBI, 23 stolen bases, a .410 OBBP, a .565 SLG, and a 161 OPS+.
Matt Olson has created his own legacy in Atlanta by breaking the Braves single-season franchise home run and RBI record. Olson has hit .281 with 54 homers, 136 RBI, a .387 OBP, and a .605 SLG. He has an OPS+ of 162.
Freeman has also established his own franchise record, racking up an incredible 58 doubles on the season. This is his second consecutive season to lead the league in doubles. How big of an accomplishment is Freeman's 60 doubles? Nobody has had 60 doubles in a season since Charlie Gehringer in 1936.
This Silver Slugger Award could go either way.