Atlanta Braves: Previewing the possible 30/30 candidates for 2023
By Brett Silas
Ozzie Albies could be a 30-30 player for the Atlanta Braves in 2023
Albies is an interesting case study to look into the possibility of a 30/30 season. His last full season was also his best season in 2021. That year, he piled up the qualifying 30 home runs which were sixth among second basemen. He also stole 20 bases that year, which is not far from the desired 30.
Advanced statistics were great for him that year as well. His isolated power was at .229, 21 points from elite status. Widely known as a great baserunner, he was third in baseball with an 8.3 BSR. These numbers would suggest that he will be a great candidate for a 30/30 season. One would also think that he will benefit on the bases from the new rules, including larger bases and the throw-over rules that pitchers have to follow.
This is all well and good, but all of this is purely dependent on if his foot and finger are fully recovered from last year’s injury, and none of his periphery numbers suffer because of something that is nagging his body. This might be a bigger concern for Albies than Acuña because he is so closely removed from last year’s injuries that kept him out for the majority of the year. He seems to be ready.