The Good
This is a pretty easy topic to discuss when it comes to the 2018 Braves. It starts with the results of a winning season where they went 90-72 and won the National League East which looked like the Washington Nationals to lose at the beginning of the season.
The Braves also saw good early career showings from two young position players which helped fuel their winning ways. Outfielder Ronald Acuna was baseball’s No. 2 prospect heading into 2018 according to MLB.com and made his debut with the Braves on April 25th. On the season Acuna turned in a slash line of .293/.366/.552, a .917 OPS, along with 26 home runs and 26 doubles.
Ozzie Albies capitalized on some experience from the 2017 campaign after the then No. 2 Braves prospect and No. 19 overall according to MLB.com made his MLB debut. At 21-years-old, Albies earned an All-Star selection and hit .261/.305/.452, with a .757 OPS, 24 home runs, 40 doubles, and 14 stolen bases. Albies and Acuna created quite a one-two punch as a young duo in 2018.
We must not forget the veterans as we look at the Braves. Freddie Freeman continued to look like a franchise cornerstone. Freeman hit .309/.388/.505, carried a .892 OPS, 23 home runs, and a league-leading 44 doubles. He also was selected for the All-Star team, finished 4th in MVP voting, and won a Gold Glove.
Recently re-signed Nick Markakis was a surprising plus to the lineup as he hit .297/.366/.440, a 806 OPS, 14 home runs, and 43 doubles. Markakis also was an All-Star selection as well as a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award winner. A little under the radar was a solid season from Kurt Suzuki at catcher who slashed .271/.332/.444 with a .776 OPS.