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MLB Rankings: We breakdown the best benches in baseball

By Phil Akre

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Ronald Torreyes #74 of the New York Yankees looks on against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium on April 19, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Ronald Torreyes #74 of the New York Yankees looks on against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium on April 19, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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MLB Rankings
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 03: Preston Tucker #20 of the Atlanta Braves runs to first base after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on April 3, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won 13-6. (Photo by Logan Riely/Beam Imagination/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) /

MLB Rankings: 2. Atlanta Braves

Now, if you’re surprised to see the Atlanta Braves on this list, it’s okay. They’ve surprised just about everyone this year with a combination of young stars blossoming and veterans providing leadership.

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It’s not just rising stars Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies who have propelled the Braves’ to the top of the standings. Their record sits at 26-16 in large part to their phenomenal bench.

Preston Tucker has been fantastic, with a .282 average, three home runs and 19 RBI’s through 85 at-bats. Additionally, his OPS+ sits at 115.

He’s seen a decreased in his play time due to the emergence of Acuna, but he’s looked a real steal ever since coming over in a trade with the Houston Astros.

Amazingly, the ageless Kurt Suzuki continues to produce at an above average level.

The 34-year-old sports a .262 average and .466 SLG% from the backup spot.

Infielder Ryan Flaherty has been one of the bigger surprises of the season. Through 33 games, he’s hit .279 with 10 RBI’s and seven extra-base hits.

That’s excellent production from a bench player who can play third and second base. Atlanta has gotten steady production from nearly all aspects of its lineup, but its bench has provided bats that can hit for average all the time.

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