Ryan Braun, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers
In only 113 games, Braun smashed 34 home runs while batting .324, with 91 runs and 97 RBI. Throw in 15 stolen bases for good measure, and you have not only one of the top rookies of 2007, but a potential MVP down the line.
It’s not a stretch to say that Braun is already entering David Wright, Miguel Cabrera, and Chipper Jones territory for third basemen in terms of offense (he’ll have to wait to hit the A-Rod atmosphere). If you pro-rated Braun’s numbers for an entire season, he would even eclipse many of those sluggers’ stats for 2007 (obviously not a fair comparison because you have to have the endurance to last 162 games, but it does show the amazing season Braun had).
The question will be whether or not Braun falls into a sophomore slump or not. The most remarkable split statistic from Braun was his batting average versus lefties and righties. Against left-handed pitching, Braun hit .450; against right-handed pitching, Braun hit .282. Will Braun face more righties in the late innings?
Will other teams pitch him differently now that they’ve seen him for a whole year? Braun’s strikeout rate was 25 percent on the year. After the break, his batting average went from .350 to .309, and his K rate increased slightly.
Bottom line: The comparisons to Albert Pujols’ rookie year, and therefore career, are premature. But Braun, together with Prince Fielder, Richie Weeks, and J.J. Hardy, makes for perhaps the best hitting infield in baseball.
Projection: 93 R, 30 HR, 94 RBI, 20 SB, .289 AVG
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