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Austin Riley Finishes 7th in NL MVP Race; Freddie Freeman 9th

By Trent Dickeson

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 05: Third basemen Austin Riley and members of the Atlanta Braves team speak following the World Series Parade at Truist Park on November 5, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Braves won the World Series in six games against the Houston Astros winning their first championship since 1995. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 05: Third basemen Austin Riley and members of the Atlanta Braves team speak following the World Series Parade at Truist Park on November 5, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Braves won the World Series in six games against the Houston Astros winning their first championship since 1995. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) /
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The NL MVP award was given out and based on voting, and Atlanta Braves players Austin Riley finished in 7th place while Freddie Freeman finished 9th.

The Atlanta Braves had two top-10 finished for the NL MVP award. Austin Riley finished in 7th place, while 2020 MVP Freddie Freeman finished 9th.

The winner of the 2021 NL MVP was Bryce Harper.

Riley put forth a phenomenal 2021 season hitting .303/.367/.531 with 33 HR, 91 R, 107 RBI, .379 wOBA, 135 wRC+, 132 OPS+, 4.2 fWAR, & 6.1 bWAR. He added in an improved defense in 2021 as evident by a 1.5 dWAR that was good for 10th in the National League.

Maybe the most important feat is how he stepped up after Ronald Acuña Jr. went down in July.  In what could have been the moment that sank the team, the entire team rebounded, and that was led by Austin Riley’s breakout season.

Freddie Freeman won the NL MVP award in 2020 and followed it up with a 9th place finish in 2021. Freeman finished the season hitting .300/.393/.503 with 31 HR, 120 R, 83 RBI, 8 SB, .379 wOBA, 135 wRC+, 133 OPS+, 4.5 fWAR, & 4.7 bWAR. Freeman was his normal steady self for the Braves.

Freeman started the season fighting some bad luck, hitting in the low .200’s early on. However, his hard-hit rate, and expected stats suggested he was playing better than his stat line suggested and credit goes to Freeman for continuing to play hard despite the early struggles.

Ozzie Albies finished 13th in NL MVP voting. While he did not get top 10 honors, it is still impressive for the Braves to have three guys finish in the top 13 in the National League in voting.

Albies finished the season hitting .259/.310/.488 with 30 HR, 103 R,106 RBI, 20 SB, .336 wOBA, 107 wRC+, 105 OPS+, 4.2 fWAR, 3.4 bWAR.

While it may be disappointing that Riley did not walk away with the NL MVP or even finish in the top 5, I think winning the World Series will more than make up for it.

Plus, most would have been thrilled to know Riley received any MVP votes coming into the 2021 season.

Next. Open up the wallet??. dark

The future is bright at the hot corner for the Braves… and for the Braves franchise.

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