The 2020's look promising for the Atlanta Braves. While the 2000's marked the end of Atlanta's unprecedented 14-year run as division champs, the 2010's saw the franchise complete an all-out rebuild in just three seasons, stockpiling enought young talent to punctuate the decade with back-to-back division titles. Here's a position-by-position look back at the best Braves of the the last decade:
*All stats & accolades are from 2010-2019
Honorable Mentions: Justin Upton, Martin Prado, Nick Markakis, Tim Hudson, Josh Donaldson
1B - Freddie Freeman
Freeman has been the Braves full-time starter since 2011, so there's really no debate about this one. His superb hands and consistency at the plate have made him an elite player at one of baseball's most stacked positions. Not only does Freeman rank as the best Braves player of the last decade, he's all but solidified his status as the best first baseman in franchise history.
Career 162 Game Averages
Avg - .293
HR - 27
RBI - 97
OBP - .379
2B - Ozzie Albies
Albies ended the revolving door of Braves second baseman this decade including Martin Prado, Dan Uggla, Kelly Johnson, Tommy LaStella, and Tyler Pastornicky. Albies is one of only three Braves second basemen to make an an All-Star team since 1983. In two-plus years of service Albies has accumulated the highest back-to-back WAR seasons of any Braves second baseman this millennium and remains the only second baseman in Braves history to win a Silver Slugger Award.
Career 162 Game Averages
Avg - .279
HR - 23
RBI - 80
OBP - .332
OPS - .806
3B - Chipper Jones
Jones may be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but his spot on the All-Decade team wasn't as much of a lock as you might think. Jones accumulated a WAR of 7.7 during his age 38, 39, & 40 seasons with the Braves from 2010-2012, making him an easy choice over the likes of Chris Johnson, Juan Francisco, Johan Carmargo, and Adonis Garcia. However, Josh Donaldson's monstrous 6.1 WAR explosion in 2019 left at least some room for debate.
Ultimately, Chipper is the choice because of longevity and consistency (plus nostalgia), considered not only the best third-baseman in Atlanta history but arguably the best switch-hitter in baseball history as well.
162 Game Averages (2010-12)
Avg - .276
HR - 15
RBI - 86
OBP - .365
OPS - .817
SS - Andrelton Simmons
Despite never making an All-Star team, Simmons was an invaluable part of the Braves core from 2013-15. Arguably the best defensive shortstop in baseball HISTORY, Simmons consistently made jaw-dropping defensive plays on his way to back-to-back Gold Gloves in 2013-14. Unfortunately, Simmons hit just .256 with an OBP of just .304 and his lack of growth at the plate ultimately made him expendable. Despite his lack of offensive production, Simmons' glove alone earns him honors as the Braves best shortstop of the decade over Dansby Swanson, Alex Gonzales, and Erick Aybar (yeck).
Atlanta 162 Game Averages
Avg - .256
HR - 10
RBI - 55
OBP - .304
OPS - .666
OF - Jason Heyward
Injuries and inconsistency kept Heyward from fully realizing the promise of his All-Star rookie season, where he posted career highs in OBP and OPS. Despite his ups-and-downs at the plate, Heyward developed into a standout defensive outfielder on his way to two Gold Glove seasons (and a number of highlights) in Atlanta. He has the highest total WAR (23.2) of any Braves outfielder this decade.
Atlanta 162 Game Averages
Avg - .262
HR - 20
RBI - 70
OBP - .351
OPS - .781
OF - Ender Inciarte
Despite a putrid 2019 season, Inciarte earned three Gold Gloves and an All-Star appearance during his first four years in Atlanta. The speedy Venezuelan's total WAR of 10.6 is second only to Jason Heyward this decade.
Atlanta 162 Game Averages
Avg - .283
HR - 9.2
RBI - 54.5
OBP - .342
OPS - .734
OF - Ronald Acuna, JR
At just 21-years old, Acuna's resume already includes an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger en route to leading the National League in runs scored and stolen bases in 2019. Again, he's just 21-years old. A late season injury ended his bid for the fourth 40-40 season in baseball history, but Acuna appears well on his way to super-stardom after putting together the best offensive season (and bat flip montage) of any Braves outfielder this decade.
Career 162 Game Averages
Avg - .285
HR - 41
RBI - 100
OBP - .365
OPS - .897
C - Brian McCann
McCann is the only Braves catcher this decade to make an All-Star team, and leads all Braves catchers this decade in games played and WAR (10.0) . He trails only Javy Lopez all-time in hits, homeruns, runs, and batting average among Braves backstops. He is one of only two Braves catchers to ever win a Silver Slugger award and the only winner of the award this decade.
Atlanta 162 Game Averages (2010-13, 19)
Avg - .255
HR - 27
RBI - 88
OBP - .355
Starting Pitcher - Julio Teheran
Teheran edges out Tim Hudson for starting pitcher of the 2010's. He started six consecutive opening days from 2014-2019 and is the only Braves starter this decade to make multiple All-Star teams (2014, 2016). His career in Atlanta essentially boils down to five slightly above-average seasons combined with two really good ones (2014 & 2016). Despite his 77-73 record, he leads all Braves starters this decade in WAR, innings pitched, wins, and strikeouts. His WHIP, strikeout rate, and longevity all give him the slightest edge over Tim Hudson as the SP1 on the All-Decade team.
Career Averages
ERA - 3.67
Innings per Start - 5.9
Strikeouts per 9 innings - 7.8
WHIP - 1.211
Strikeouts to Walks - 2.59
Relief Pitcher - Craig Kimbrel
Kimbrel enjoyed a four-year run in Atlanta as the most dominant closer in all of baseball, making him an easy choice over Jim Johnson, Arodys Vizcaino, Jonny Venters, Eric Flaherty, and any reliever the Braves trotted out in 2019. He holds the franchise record for saves (186), leading the National League every year from 2011-2014 and winning Rookie of the Year in 2011. Not only is he the undisputed king of relievers for the 2010's, he is arguably the best Braves reliever in franchise history.
Career Averages
ERA - 1.42
Saves - 46
Strikeouts per 9 innings - 7.8
WHIP - 1.211
Strikeouts to Walks - 2.59