Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 28: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves in action during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 28: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves in action during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

16. Freddie Freeman

The Atlanta Braves are coming out of a deep rebuild just in time for 28-year-old first baseman Freddie Freeman to begin receiving the MVP attention he rightfully deserves in the prime of his career. Freeman is working on his third straight .300/.400/.500 season. The doubles machine has developed a home-run swing the past three years and is now a threat for 40 two baggers and 30 bombs every year.

Injuries and the Braves rebuild have prevented Freeman from receiving as much attention as he deserves since his career really began taking off in 2016. He had been a solid .285/.366/.466 hitter for the first six years of his MLB career after debuting at the age of 20. In the three years that have followed, Freeman is a .305/.404/.575 hitter. Those are elite numbers.

Freeman has been limited to fewer than 120 games in two of the past three years, but both of his wrist injuries were fluke plays. There is nothing in his medical file that points to durability issues. Freeman also had LASIK surgery to correct his vision last winter. He will turn 29 in September and is likely just entering his prime years.

This is the face of the franchise for the Braves as they head into their next great window to contend. Freeman is a quiet but strong leader. He offered to make a move across the diamond to third base last year in order to accomodate Matt Adams. Most stars would never dream of such a thing, let alone actually follow through on it. The Braves have a great cornerstone to build around in Freeman.

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