#36 Ozzie Albies
Another incredibly enigmatic off-season for writers that have written about Ozzie Albies. We have seen him not make top 10 second baseman lists despite being considered a top 100 player by the same company. Now we see him slotted as the #36 rated player in all of baseball according to ESPN.
No one knows how to properly rate the second baseman, who looks to be on a potential Hall of Fame trajectory because he's often compared to a lot of his teammates. When you don't compare him to the likes of Ronald or Austin, you get a 27-year-old second baseman on an incredibly affordable contract who has put together a slash line of .280/.336/.513 in 2023 which was good for a 4.0 fWAR season, and 124 wRC+.
At 27, he's likely entered or about to enter the prime of his career, so there is a legitimate belief that he can continue to build off these numbers. Funnily enough, when he was Atlanta's top prospect, he was considered a plus hitter with good speed who would hit it into the gap and run the bases well. Albies has since morphed the way he plays entirely and has become a true power-hitting second baseman who is intimidating to face at the plate. Should he stay fully healthy - we may see the best of Ozzie Albies in 2024.
#53 Michael Harris II
Georgia's very own Michael Harris II made the list at #53 despite a horrific start to the season last year, slowed by a bad back. Despite that slow start, Michael went on to hit .293/.331/.477 for a 115 wRC+, and 4.0 fWAR. In his first two seasons in the big leagues, the Georgia native has a combined 8.9 fWAR in his age 21 and 22 seasons which is incredible. When you hear Michael talk you hear a guy who is the first to say that his back was all types of hurting at the start of the 2023 season and he learned a lot about what it's like to be a Major Leaguer.
Now fully healthy, Michael is looking to build off the end of last season and put it all together, achieving what I believe could be a season that dictates MVP votes. He will play this full season at just 23 years of age and who knows what his true potential is? A fully healthy Michael Harris II is an absolute menace at the plate and in the field. He is fully capable of being a true top-15 player in the league.
#69 Sean Murphy
It's safe to say that the Sean Murphy trade was one that all Braves fans can appreciate. Sean came out of the gates last year. He looked like a potential league MVP, putting in monstrous numbers at the plate while being one of the league's best defensive catchers. Like all baseball players, the struggle of playing a full season, especially behind the plate, caught up with Sean and you saw him in and out of the lineup a lot through the second half.
Despite only playing in 108 games, Sean still hit .251/.365/.478 with 21 home runs and a fantastic 129 wRC+ which was good enough for 4.2 fWAR (again in 108 games!!!). He was a true monster at and behind the dish. The Braves are truly fortunate to have both him and Travis d'Arnaud at the catching position. Combine this with some of the depth (Baldwin especially, and Tolve), and the Braves are in a really good place catching-wise. All without mentioning that with Sean behind the plate, the running game is all but shut down, making the game just a little easier for pitchers on the mound. Another top talent - look for Sean to have another special season.