Who has been the most underrated Braves player of 2022?

With less than a month to go in the season, I’ll start handing out my awards for the Braves. Up first, the most underrated player on the team.

Jesse Chavez and Collin McHugh

I was torn between these two players, so I cheated and chose both because they are each 100% deserving. I’ll start with Collin McHugh. Despite some fans constantly throwing shade on him, he’s actually been incredible for the Braves all season, posting a 2.73 ERA over 59.1 innings. His WHIP is below one, and he’s striking out nearly ten batters per nine innings. McHugh remains one of the best relievers in baseball, and his ability to go multiple innings in the playoffs will be a tremendous weapon for Brian Snitker to utilize.

McHugh might be the more vital piece to the puzzle for the Braves, but I couldn’t write this article without including Jesse Chavez. He’s been the most under-appreciated Brave over the last two seasons, and not even by the fan base… by management as well!

I was a bit surprised the Braves didn’t make Chavez more of a priority this past offseason. He cost next to nothing and was brilliant for the team in 2021. He ended up signing with the Cubs, and not even three weeks into the season, the Braves traded back for him… only to trade him to Los Angeles at the trade deadline. Yet somehow, he has ended up back in Atlanta after the Angels released him. Chavez has been brilliant since returning, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. On the season with the Braves, he has a minuscule 1.90 ERA. Put some respect on this man’s name!

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Photo: John Adams/Icon Sportswire