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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves runs to first base after a hit against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust on April 06, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves runs to first base after a hit against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust on April 06, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /

22. Freddie Freeman

With Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte, the Atlanta Braves have one of the most exciting young lineups in the league, but they still go as their biggest star goes. Freddie Freeman is the old head in the Baby Braves lineup at the ripe old age of 29, but his stock continues to ascend even in his 10th MLB season. Over the past four seasons, Freeman has become a virtual lock for .300/.400/.500, the mark of a truly elite hitter.

Since 2016, Freeman has hit .306/.398/.547 with 129 doubles, 89 home runs and 276 RBI in 463 games. He dealt with the pressure of reaching the big leagues at the age of 20 and held on during the lean years in Atlanta to be rewarded with the chance to lead one of the best lineups in the league. Freeman continues to come into his own as a superstar, and his prime should last several more seasons. If teammate Nick Markakis’s offensive outburst the past two seasons is any indication, Freeman’s prime could stretch another decade in Atlanta’s hitter-friendly ballpark.

Freeman is one of the best first basemen in the National League and won his first Gold Glove last season. He is steady as they come at his position, but made waves in 2017 when he offered to move across the diamond to third base to accommodate the hot-hitting Matt Adams, who can only play first base. It was a short-lived experiment at the hot corner for Freeman and the Braves, but it just goes to show the type of player and leader he is. The Braves are going to be fighting to stay atop the NL East for years to come, and Freeman is their rock.

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