Athens — Three Braves, Austin Riley, Spencer Strider, and Ronald Acuña Jr., were chosen to be on this year’s All-MLB Team.
Riley, Strider, and Acuña were all selected for the First Team at their respective positions. Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson were selected for the Second Team. On Saturday night, during MLB Network’s All-MLB Team, the announcement was made.
The fact that the Braves were so well-represented wasn’t shocking, given their MLB-high 104 victories. Half of the selection process was determined by fan voting, with the remaining 50% coming from a distinguished panel consisting of media representatives, broadcasters, former players, and other officials from the game. The regular season’s performance was the basis for voting.
Acuña became the first player to hit more than 40 home runs and steal more than 70 bases in a single season, capping one of the greatest seasons in the history of the game. After hitting.337 with 41 home runs, 217 hits, 80 extra-base hits, 106 RBIs, 149 runs, a 1.012 OPS, and 84 strikeouts, he was awarded his first NL MVP Award.
As the only players to hit at least once, he joined Lou Gehrig (1927), Chuck Klein (1930), and Joe DiMaggio (1937).335 with 80 extra-base hits, 40 home runs, 215 hits, 100 RBIs, 145 runs, and a 1.000 OPS while striking out less than 90 batters.
The other First Team outfielders were Corbin Carroll of the D-backs and Mookie Betts of the Dodgers. The Rangers’ Adolis García, the Astros’ Kyle Tucker, and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge were named to the Second Team outfield. Acuña made his debut in the First Team during this selection. In 2019 and 20 he was selected for the Second Team.
Riley’s 5.2 fWAR led all third basemen in MLB. In addition to hitting.281 with 37 home runs and an OPS of.861, he had his third consecutive 30-homer season. In 2021, he played third base for the First Team as well.
The third baseman for the Second Team is José Ramírez of the Guardians.
Strider’s 281 strikeouts set a franchise record, 44 more than any other Major Leaguer. He was the only 20-game winner for the Majors this season. Among pitchers with at least 180 innings pitched in a season, his strikeout percentage of 36.8% is fourth all-time. Randy Johnson (37.4 in 2001), Pedro Martinez (37.5 in 1999), and Gerrit Cole (39.9 in 2019) are the ones who came before him.
Cole (Yankees), Zac Gallen (D-backs), Blake Snell (Padres), and Shohei Ohtani (Angels) were the other pitchers on the First Team.
With 54 home runs and 139 RBIs, Olson led the Majors and established franchise records for the Modern Era. His slugging percentage of.604 also led the NL.
The First Team first baseman is Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers.
