Atlanta has a rich history of baseball, but there are five specific players who have earned a spot as the five best hitters in Braves history.
The Atlanta Braves are one of the most successful baseball organizations over the last three decades, but they are currently trying to get back to elite status. They’ve had their fair share of Hall of Fame inductees thanks to their incredible run in the 1990s, and most of those guys have stuck around to help support this organization through its growing pains.
What most general baseball fans don’t realize is that the Braves have had incredible athletes playing for their team before guys like Chipper Jones and Tom Glavine entered the league. Heck, a few of the players on this list were hitting homers well before Chipper and Andruw Jones ever picked up a baseball.
Needless to say, the players on this list vary from different generations, but they all have one thing in common: They are five of the most dangerous hitters in Braves history.
5. Andruw Jones (1996-2007)
It’s amazing how fast time flies, as it seems like just yesterday when Andruw Jones made his first appearance in the big leagues in 1996. As much as Braves fans have come to love current center fielder Ender Inciarte, I don’t think there’s one Atlanta fan that wouldn’t trade him in a heartbeat for one more season of a young Andruw Jones.
What many people around baseball may not remember is that Jones was one of the best outfielders the game has ever seen. Not to mention, he is easily one of the best Atlanta Braves of all time.
Jones made the MLB All-Star Game five different times and won 10 Gold Glove Awards. However, it was hit ability to hit the baseball that earned him the number-five spot on this list.
Take a look at where he ranks on the Braves’ all-time list in some major hitting categories, courtesy of Baseball Reference:
- Total Hits: 1,683 (8th in Atlanta History)
- Total Home Runs: 368 (5th in Atlanta History)
- Total Bases: 3,185 (5th in Atlanta History)
- Total RBI: 1,117 (5th in Atlanta History)
What a special career Andruw Jones was able to put together. It’s real shame that some of these young Braves fans will never get to see him put on the Navy and Red, while making incredible catches at Turner Field. However, Jones is just one of many great Atlanta baseball players on this list.