The Braves were represented with just a single tally in the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year voting, as Ian Anderson received one third-place vote. Though this showing may not represent the totality of the right-hander’s contributions to the Braves this season, Anderson will be eligible again in 2021. His incredible performances in the playoffs showcased the considerable confidence and maturity that Anderson brings to the mound each time out. Aiding the Braves in their pursuit of a World Series should only strengthen the belief that Anderson is here to stay, and this season should be just the beginning of a promising career. Could 2021 see Anderson receive a significant bump in ROY support?
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Atlanta Braves 2020 Player Reviews: Ian Anderson
Speaking of Anderson, Gaurav breaks down his 2020 season in greater detail.
Everything. Everything went right for Ian in 2020. Forced into the rotation because of injuries and just very poor performances by his counterparts, Ian made an impact from day one. In six games in the regular season, Ian put up 1.1 fWAR thanks to an 11.9 K/9 rate, 1.95 ERA, 2.54 FIP, and an outstanding 52.5% ground ball rate. He showcased a supreme changeup, which isn’t really a stretch to say grades as a double plus changeup, to go along with his plus curveball, and because of his odd arm angle his fastball, which sits in the mid-to-high 90s, while relatively flat is incredibly deceptive. Combine that with the fact that hitters have to be ready for 97 while also battling off of a double plus changeup and you have two pitches that can eat up major league hitters.
Atlanta Braves 2020 Player Reviews: Cristian Pache
Gaurav breaks down another top Braves prospect in Cristian Pache, who made even less regular season impact than Anderson, but managed to become a vital part of the Atlanta roster when it counted most.
Almost everything. Pache was thrust into the starting spot, after being on the taxi squad a majority of the season, following the injury to Adam Duvall. With Ender Inciarte playing very poorly the Braves turned to the 21 year old to man the outfield and become the anchor of the defense while also facing playoff caliber pitching - not exactly the ideal scenario for a proper debut.
The WAR Room: Tallying Up the 2020 Braves
Brent looks at where current Braves rank among the all-time WAR leaders in franchise history. Even with a shortened season, you’d think Freddie Freeman would have risen multiple spots from tenth, where he began the season. Instead, he remains tenth.
Freeman began the season as the 10th greatest Atlanta Brave, went out and probably won an MVP award, and finished as... the 10th greatest Atlanta Brave. Mobility’s tough at the top. Since he didn’t move past anyone, let’s play the same game with Freeman we did with Acuna, gerrymandering a list based on what he’s done. Through age 30, Freeman has slashed .295/.383/.509 with 342 doubles and 240 homers. Using those specific parameters, who else managed those numbers or better through age 30? Alex Rodriguez, Jimmie Foxx, Albert Pujols, Frank Robinson, Mel Ott, Miguel Cabrera, and Lou Gehrig.
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The case for each Manager of Year finalist
Among these finalists, one was fired and another is Don Mattingly. I mean, what are we even doing anymore? The nomination of Mattingly over Snitker is pretty baffling, especially given that the case for the Marlins skipper was his resilience during the outbreak of COVID in their locker room. Of course that outbreak was the result of poor decision making while in Atlanta, so it seems like a net negative overall. Plus Mattingly is notoriously stupid when it comes to all things Braves related, which might create some bias on my part. Either way, give me Snitker over Mattingly any day.
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