Fansided

25 most important stars for MLB playoffs

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees follows through on a sixth inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees follows through on a sixth inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves follows the play against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves follows the play against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

6. Josh Donaldson

Ronald Acuna is the human highlight reel for the Braves, but it’s actually third baseman Josh Donaldson who leads the team in WAR and has a higher OPS than the young superstar. Donaldson, who was forced to accept a one-year deal with Atlanta after failing to find a multi-year deal to his liking last winter, has emerged as the heart and soul of a young lineup that needed an in-your-face veteran leader to give them an edge. The 33-year-old is the perfect complement to Freddie Freeman’s quiet presence.

After struggling with injuries last year, Donaldson has rebounded to close in on 40 home runs and 100 RBI with a walk rate that rivals his best years in Toronto. He is also playing some of his best defense since his days in Oakland and has made only 13 errors on the year at third base while continuing to show elite range.

This was the bounce back year that Donaldson needed to prove the doubters wrong. A big long-term deal might still be hard to come by as he approaches his 34th birthday, but it will be difficult for the Braves not to offer him something in the three-to-four-year range this offseason.

Donaldson has also gotten a well-deserved reputation as a playoff star. In six career trips to the playoffs, he has hit .275/.345/.443 with 10 doubles, four home runs, and 13 RBI in 34 games. He was virtually unstoppable during the 2016 postseason with the Blue Jays. If Donaldson comes up big again for the Braves, it could propel them to the World Series.

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