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Kris Willis / TalkingChop 5 hours ago 
Ronald Acuña Jr. wins NL Rookie of the Year award
Rookie of the Year Award caps off magnificent season for Acuña. The votes are in, the announcement has been made and Ronald Acuña Jr. is the 2018 Rookie of the Year in the National League. Nationals’ outfielder Juan Soto and Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler were also finalists. The Braves’ delayed Acuña’s arrival until the end of April and he overcame a month-long stint on the disabled list due to a knee injury but put up an incredible second half to help lead Atlanta to the NL East title. Acuna received 27 of the 30 first-place votes. Soto got two first-place votes and 26...
TalkingChop 8 hours ago
Looking back on Alex Anthopoulos’s first year as Braves GM
Let’s take a look back on Anthopoulos’s first season running the Braves. The Braves hired Alex Anthopoulos one year ago today. Time flies when the team goes from 72-90 and in the midst of an international spending scandal to 90-72 and National League East champions. To be fair, Anthopoulos does not deserve all the credit for the Braves’ sudden turnaround. Ronald Acuña, Ozzie Albies and Johan Camargo were signed by Frank Wren’s front office. Mike Foltynewicz, Ender Inciarte, Sean Newcomb and Dansby Swanson were acquired during John Coppolella’s tenure. Anthopoulos said from the...
TalkingChop 13 hours ago
Comparing Ronald Acuña Jr. to other young stars historically
Taking a closer look at how other stars fared in their age 20 season in relation to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s success in 2018. It should surprise no one that Ronald Acuña Jr. is about to be named the National League Rookie of the Year for 2018. The numbers he put up and impact he had on the Braves winning the division even beyond the box score are the kinds of measureables that tend to bring hardware with them at season’s end. So while it’s not a question about Acuña having the best numbers among NL rookies this year, the question is how his numbers stack up to other great players that...
Kris Willis / TalkingChop 16 hours ago 
Braves News: Rookie of the Year announcement on Monday
Ronald Acuña is one of three finalists for the NL award. Atlanta Braves News AFL Recap: Izzy Wilson homers twice Braves outfield prospect Izzy Wilson got off to a bit of a slow start in the Arizona Fall League but he appears to be finishing strong. Wilson showed off his power this week going 3-for-8 with a double and two home runs. Talking Chop Podcast: Episode 141: GM Meetings, news roundup and more with Eric Cole Brad is joined by TC’s Eric Cole to discuss the GM meetings, the latest news, awards and the hot stove. Rookie of the Year announcement coming up on Monday Awards week gets...
TalkingChop Nov 11, 2018
Atlanta Braves Arizona Fall League Recap: Izzy Wilson hits a pair of homers
Izzy Wilson was doing some good work down in Arizona this week. Cristian Pache 2-11, K, SB, 2 BB, .274/.316/.356 Not the greatest week for Pache as he had just a pair of hits despite getting a healthy bit of playing time. Drawing a pair of walks in his last game this week was a welcome development to be sure as he definitely needs to work on getting his on-base percentage up. Pache also collided VERY hard with the outfield wall late in the week, but stayed in the game. Just stay healthy, Cristian. Isranel Wilson 3-8, 2 HR, 3B, 4 RBI, BB, 3 K, .212/.350/.576 Really strong week from Izzy as...
Kris Willis / TalkingChop Nov 11, 2018 
Braves News: Slow news Saturday
Atlanta Braves News 2018 Atlanta Braves Player Reviews Our player-by-player look back at the 2018 season for the Atlanta Braves wrapped up on Saturday with a closer look at Dan Winkler’s season. In all, Atlanta used 58 players to help earn their first division crown since 2013. You can find an article on each of them in the link above. The magic of full counts A deep dive into baseball’s most intense situation. The 3-2 count. MLB News Bryce almost went to Astros at ‘18 Deadline The biggest story from Saturday was a report by Ken Rosenthal which said that the Houston Astros had a...
TalkingChop Nov 10, 2018
2018 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Dan Winkler
Dan Winkler was one of the Braves’ better relievers for the Braves in the first half. The second half was....not as kind. The Braves’ bullpen was quite maligned during the course of the 2018 season, but one of the success stories (at least in the first half) was in reliever Dan Winkler whose future with the team is one of the more interesting decisions the team must make. Winkler was taken with the 20th round of the 2011 draft by the Rockies and began his career as a starter where he excelled in Colorado’s minor league system. He posted big time strikeout numbers and was moving...
Kris Willis / TalkingChop Nov 10, 2018 
Braves News: Ronald Acuña, Austin Riley and more
Rounding up a busy Friday around the majors. Atlanta Braves News Is 2019 time for Acuna to roam center? In his weekly mailbag, Mark Bowman discusses the idea of the Braves moving Ender Inciarte this offseason and shifting Ronald Acuña Jr. to centerfield. Austin Riley is Braves’ best power prospect MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis lists each team’s best power prospect with Austin Riley topping the list for the Braves. Riley’s raw power has always been a known commodity. What’s surprised some is how good he’s been at making adjustments at the plate so he can consistently tap into it....
Kris Willis / TalkingChop Nov 9, 2018 
Friday night open thread
The GM meetings came and went this week with the Braves reportedly participating in a number of discussions but have thus far been quiet this offseason. Things will likely ramp up soon. For now, here is your open thread for the evening. Feel free to discuss the Braves or whatever is on your mind. Happy Friday!
TalkingChop Nov 9, 2018
2018 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Luke Jackson
Luke Jackson had a surprisingly solid season after changes in how he pitches - and he looks to continue the solid work into 2019 What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you read the name Luke Jackson? What if I told you his 0.3 fWAR was higher than Jesse Biddle’s? What if I told you his 0.3 fWAR was higher than that of anyone on this list of players: Jose Ramirez, Josh Ravin, Chase Whitley, Wes Parsons, Lucas Sims, Kyle Wright, Evan Phillips, Kolby Allard, and Peter Moylan? When you look at his traditional stats there isn’t too much to like - 1-2 record, 4.43 ERA, 4.65...
TalkingChop Nov 9, 2018
2018 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Brad Brach
Brach was acquired midseason and did OK. In Baltimore, Brach appeared in 42 games where he compiled a 4.85 ERA, 4.4 BB/9, 8.8 K/9 and a 1.769 WHIP. The Braves saw something they liked and bought low on the reliever — with GM Alex Anthopoulos making it known that they wanted to help him tweak a couple of things to get back to where he was during that fantastic 2016 season where he went 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA and 2.92 FIP in 71 games. He was acquired by the Braves in an unusual way, as the Braves traded $250,000 of their international slot money, money they could not use, to get the righty...
Kris Willis / TalkingChop Nov 9, 2018 
Braves News: GM meetings wrap up, Nick Markakis wins Silver Slugger Award and more
The awards continue to come in for Nick Markakis. Atlanta Braves News Braves GM Meetings recap: Anthopoulos has options The Braves and GM Alex Anthopoulos wrapped up their stint at the General Manager meetings on Thursday. Anthopoulos told the AJC’s Gabe Burns that the team’s focus at the meetings were on trades and what players are available. “There are some players we weren’t certain would be available in trade before we got to the meetings that we now have information about,” Anthopoulos said. “That does open things up for us.” Nick Markakis wins 2018 NL Silver Slugger...
Kris Willis / TalkingChop Nov 8, 2018 
2018 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Adam Duvall
Duvall struggled in 2018. When the Atlanta Braves acquired Adam Duvall from the Cincinnati Reds at the Trade Deadline, they hoped that he would be able to provide some right-handed punch to their lineup, or at least their bench. The original plan was for Duvall to enter into a platoon situation with Ender Inciarte. There was just one problem: Duvall hadn’t hit much in 2018 for the Reds and he hit even less once he arrived in Atlanta. Duvall hit just .205/.286/.399 with 15 home runs in 105 games with the Reds, though that line came with a fine .330 xwOBA that he substantially...
Kris Willis / TalkingChop Nov 8, 2018 
Bryan Price reportedly candidate for Braves pitching coach job
Former Reds skipper is reportedly a candidate for Braves’ pitching coach. The Atlanta Braves are still looking for a new pitching coach after parting ways with Chuck Hernandez at the end of the season. While they are reportedly taking their time and considering candidates both inside and outside the organization, potential names have been few and far between. However, The Athletic’s David O’Brien reports that former Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price is a candidate for the job. Bryan Price is a candidate for the #Braves pitching coach job. Fired as Reds manager in April, he was...
TalkingChop Nov 8, 2018
Braves News: Realmuto, Swanson, Front Office
The Braves were involved in a great deal of news on Wednesday, including a trade rumor and a significant front office hire. BRAVES NEWS Braves have ‘strong offer’ on the table for J.T. Realmuto, per report The Braves reportedly made an offer for Marlins catcher JT Realmuto according to Craig Mish, though two writers immediately tried to shoot down the rumors by reporting that no offer had been made. Who knows which way to lean, but this is the first big trade rumor of the offseason for Atlanta, so it is noteworthy regardless. Sources indicate the Braves have a strong offer on the...
Kris Willis / TalkingChop Nov 7, 2018 
How to watch Ronald Acuña Jr in the Japan All-Star series
The Japan All-Star series gets underway early Thursday morning. Ronald Acuña Jr. will represent the Atlanta Braves in the 2018 Japan All-Star series which gets underway early Thursday morning in Tokyo. The series will consist of seven games including an exhibition with games taking place in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagoya. MLB Network will provide live coverage of the event as well as re-airs in the evenings. The full schedule for the event is listed below: The MLB squad will include four All-Stars and the two frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year award in Acuña and Nationals outfielder...
Kris Willis / TalkingChop Nov 7, 2018 
Freddie Freeman named Wilson Defensive Player of the Year at First Base
Another defensive honor for Freddie Freeman. More defensive accolades came Freddie Freeman’s way Wednesday night when he was named Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for first base. The Wilson defensive awards recognize the top defender at each position across the majors. Freeman led the National League with 12 defensive runs saved and had a 7.8 ultimate zone rating. He appeared in all 162 games for the Braves in 2018 and was honored with his first Rawlings Gold Glove award last Sunday. “It’s a great honor to win the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award,” said Freeman....
TalkingChop Nov 7, 2018
Braves hire Mike Fast as Special Assistant to GM
The Braves snagged one of the bigger names in analytics for a front office role. When general manager Alex Anthopoulos took his position in the Braves front office, one expectation was that there would be a revitalization and renewed focus on the use of analytics in its operations. While former general manager John Coppolella was certainly friendly towards the use of analytics, there was also a sizable contingent within the organization that was resistant to their use which certainly caused some division. However, under Anthopoulos, the team saw immediate returns on their use in regards to...
TalkingChop Nov 7, 2018
2018 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Peter Moylan
The Braves went to an old friend for help with their bullpen in 2018. Unfortunately, that gamble did not quite work out. One of the bigger surprises from the 2017 season was how durable reliever Peter Moylan was for the Royals as he made 79 appearances for the team despite being in his late 30’s. Braves fans remembered how effective he could be from his previous stint with the team as well as his affable personality, so when the Braves signed him to a deal before the 2018 season fans were cautiously optimistic. Unfortunately, there does appear to be a reason why older relievers who have...
TalkingChop Nov 7, 2018
Braves have 'strong offer' on the table for J.T. Realmuto, per report
We have ourselves a bona fide trade rumor, folks. The Braves are setting the hot stove on fire this morning irrespective of the nice weather. First this: Sources indicate the Braves have a strong offer on the table for Marlins All Star Catcher J.T. Realmuto. MIA may prefer him dealt outside of NL East, but at this point team is operating as though a trade is likely to happen.— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) November 7, 2018 Here’s the potential price tag: Sources also indicate Marlins are asking price on Realmuto is a high end young pitching prospect and a position player. A potential...
