Ronald Acuna Jr. Ranked Second Behind Mookie Betts
How could only six Braves players make the list of the top 50? And if Acuna is the runaway MVP in the NL, how is he second on the list to Mookie Betts? That's right, Mookie Betts is the number-one ranked player on the list. The explanation actually makes sense.
Will Leitch wrote, "I’m putting him second because of something that isn’t his fault: Due to injury, he wasn’t part of the Braves' 2021 championship run in the postseason. If they make another one this year, there is no doubt it will be, in large part, because of him."
Fair enough, Will.
Also Read: 8 Reasons Acuna Will Win MVP Over Betts
Atlanta Braves in MLB.com's Top 50 Postseason Players
Here are all the Braves that made the list and how they are ranked.
5. Matt Olson
15. Spencer Strider
23. Austin Riley
33. Ozzie Albies
44. Sean Murphy
Michael Harris II was an honorable mention.
Matt Olson was ranked one spot below Freddie Freeman, which is acceptable. The article points out that Olson had a higher slugging percentage (.604) this season than Freeman has ever had in a full season. Granted, Freeman slugged .567 this year with an astounding .640 slugging percentage in the 2020 Covid-shortened season.
Spencer Strider is ranked as the third-best starting pitcher behind only Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw. Clayton Kershaw is ranked as the top overall starting pitcher in the article.
Check out the next page to see some glaring omissions from MLB.com's Top 50 Postseason Players list.