As the 2023 season comes to an end, I’m going to be highlighting some of the seasons from individual Braves, beginning with the biggest surprise and I’ll wrap up this series with the Most Valuable Player (you might have an idea of who will be recognized in that category).
The Braves had a number of shocking developments throughout their 2023 campaign, which is why they’ve put together one of the best seasons in history franchise .Bryce Elder was monumental to the team’s success. He didn’t even begin the season on the major-league roster and ended up making an All-Star appearance while starting 30 games. It hasn’t always been pretty in the second half, but without him, the Braves aren’t where they are today, given the injuries to Max Fried and Kyle Wright that kept them out for most of the season.
Orlando Arcia is another one that deserves recognition. Not many people thought he would win the starting shortstop job out of Spring Training, but he did and has made the most of it. He’s been one of the best shortstops in the National League and deservedly was named the starting shortstop for the All-Star team. Given his contract, Arcia has blossomed into one of the best bargains across the league.
However, neither of them got the nod for the most surprising Braves player of 2023 from me.
Most surprising Braves Player of 2023: Marcell Ozuna
How could I go with anyone else other than The Big Bear? This is a guy that could have been released numerous times over the last 18 months. He was arrested twice, and his on-the-field production tanked as the pressure mounted to all-time highs. Ozuna looked like he was a couple of days away from getting designated for assignment after hitting .085 in April, and not a soul would have batted an eye, but something clicked for him once the calendar turned to May.