3. Sean Murphy
Sean Murphy has already set a new career high in homers and he’s played in just 91 games. His .518 slugging percentage is by far the highest in all of baseball among catchers with at least 350 PAs. Murphy leads all catchers in fWAR with 4.3. Murphy is one of the best all-around players in the game. He’s one of the premier defenders and the best-hitting catcher in baseball. What an asset he has been to the Braves, despite playing in only 91 games so far!
2. Matt Olson
Matt Olson is having one of the most prolific offensive seasons in Braves history. As of this writing, Olson’s 43 homers are tied for 13th in franchise history with Javy Lopez (2003) and Davey Johnson (1973). He currently leads the league in homers and RBI. He’s one run away from tying his career high of 101, set in 2021 with Oakland. Olson needs nine more home runs to set the single-season franchise record for home runs. His .975 OPS is 56% better than the league average. For most teams, this would be the best player through the first five months. However, the Braves aren’t most teams.
1. Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is having one of the greatest seasons in baseball history. The all-time record for most runs scored by a leadoff hitter is 145. Acuna is on pace for 145.55 runs scored. It’s going to be close! Acuna Jr. is on his way to becoming the first player in MLB history to reach 30 homers and 60 steals in a single season. He leads the league in runs scored (115), stolen bases (59), and on-base percentage (.416). What a season the star right fielder is having.
I also want to point out his stolen base efficiency this season. He led the league in CS last season with 11 while only succeeding on 29 swipes. This year he has been caught stealing 11 times again but has 30 more steals. He is the frontrunner for the NL MVP and is having the greatest power/speed season in history. Ronald Acuna Jr. is the easy choice as our top player through the first five months.
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