Silver Slugger Award
Winner: Ozzie Albies
Ozzie Albies might have been the biggest surprise for me this season. After falling off a cliff in the second half of last season, Albies rebounding in a fashion few could have expected. He leads the team in batting average at .299, is tied for the National League lead in hits with 187, and leads the league in doubles with 43 to go along with his 24 home runs and 100 runs scored. Albies is also second on the Braves in fWAR behind only Ronald Acuña. The fact the Braves were able to lock up this guy through 2026 for only $35 million dollars should be considered a crime, but I’ll take it.
Mid-season award winner: Freddie Freeman
Comeback Player of the Year Award
Winner: Josh Donaldson
Donaldson shouldn’t only win this award for the Braves; he should win it for the entire league. Coming off back-to-back injury-plagued seasons, few teams were willing to offer him the lucrative contract he desired, so he took a one-year “prove it” deal with Atlanta. Donaldson has been able to stay healthy the entire season, smashing 37 bombs, 33 doubles, and accumulating 99 walks. Had he not started off the year so slow, he might be in the NL MVP conversation.
Mid-season award winner: Dansby Swanson
Reliever of the Year Award
Winner: Luke Jackson
This one was by far the toughest of the bunch to feel. It’s challenging to justify giving it to Shane Greene, Mark Melancon, or Chris Martin – even though they are easily the most valuable relievers as things stand now. None of the other options are sexy, but Luke Jackson served in the closer’s role admirably while the Braves scrambled to piece their bullpen together. From April 28th to July 15th, Jackson recorded 17 saves and had a 2.94 ERA in 32 appearances. Without him, the Braves probably don’t run away with the division. He deserves some recognition for what he did for this team this year.
Mid-season award winner: Anthony Swarzak
Rookie of the Year Award
Winner: Mike Soroka
This one’s easy. There was some competition at the midway point of the season with Austin Riley, but he fell off a cliff in the second half. Mike Soroka takes home the Rookie of the Year – carry on.
Mid-season award winner: Austin Riley
Cy Young Award
Winner: Mike Soroka
Here is where we can talk about Soroka’s year a little bit. Soroka has a legitimate claim at the NL Cy Young award this season. He will likely lose by a hair, but it doesn’t take anything away from how incredible he’s been all year. He leads the MLB in ERA+, has a WHIP of 1.090, and an ERA of 2.60, the lowest home run per nine innings rate in the league. Beyond all that, Soroka is a road warrior, going 7-1 with a 1.35 ERA away from home. Had the Braves not been super cautious with his innings and pitch limits the entire year, he might very well have won the NL Cy Young as a rookie, which has only been done once.
Mid-season award winner: Mike SorokaÂ
Most Valuable Player Award
Winner: Ronald Acuña Jr.Â
Remember when I said the Reliever of the Year award was the most difficult one to choose – I take that back. This one came down to Ronald Acuña Jr. or Freddie Freeman. You could even make a case for Josh Donaldson or Ozzie Albies. However, Acuña really does bring a special element to this ball club. He leads the team in home runs, runs, and fWAR. He had over 100 RBIs from the leadoff spot, which is absurd, and of course, nearly became the youngest player ever to join the 40/40 club – something only four other players in the history of the game accomplished. You can attach ever positive adjective that relates to baseball to Freddie Freeman, but if the Braves are going to make serious noise in October, Ronald Acuña needs to be the one leading the charge.