Who will save the day for each MLB team?

Atlanta Braves: Freddie Freeman

Like Paul Goldschmidt with the Diamondbacks, Freddie Freeman hasn’t gotten the love he deserves. He’s posted all-star caliber numbers every year for the past seven years, but he’s only made two all-star appearances during that span.

Since making his major league debut in 2010 at just 20 years old, Freeman has posted a slash line of .290/.376/.496 to go along with 166 home runs and 586 RBI. The Atlanta Braves haven’t been doing much as a team lately, but they’ve quietly had a top-tier first baseman for eight years.

Entering his age-28 season, Freeman has gotten better every year. Last season, he posted career highs in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS+ while hitting the second-most home runs of his career. He struck out just 95 times on the season, the lowest mark of his career.

The Braves probably aren’t going to surprise the baseball world this season. But they’re getting closer to being competitive again. They’ve got a good farm system, headlined by outfielder Ronald Acuna, who’s arguably the best prospect in baseball right now. This could be the year he gets called up. And if he materializes into the star scouts think he’ll be, the team will be that much closer to contending for the postseason in the near future.

Atlanta did see some improvement last year. They’ll hope to make strides again this year as well. If their other young players can continue to develop, they might be ready to make a splash while Freddie Freeman is still in the prime of his career.