The Braves’ two face-of-the-franchise players will be starters for the National League in this month’s All-Star game.
Outfielder Ronald Acuna and first baseman Freddie Freeman were voted starters at their position, MLB announced during a special on ESPN on Thursday night.
“Incredible, great accomplishment for Freddie and Ronald,” manager Brian Snitker said following his team’s 4-3 victory over the Mets. “Congratulations to both of those guys. It’s well deserved.”
It’s Freeman’s fifth All-Star nod and the third consecutive time he’s been voted a starter. He was named starting first baseman in 2018 and 2019, and MLB didn’t have an All-Star game last season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It speaks volumes to who Freddie is as a player and the consistency and what he means to our sport, quite honestly,” Snitker said. “He’s an elite player. Always. Doesn’t matter (if he sometimes slumps). He’s an elite player.”
Freeman receives the honor despite an underwhelming season by his lofty standards. The reigning NL MVP was hitting .261/.368/.474 with 17 homers, 44 RBIs and 53 runs scored in 78 games entering Thursday. His production took a leap forward in June, however, when he hit .306 with five homers and 15 RBIs.
Thursday wasn’t going how Freeman wanted for most of the evening. He struck out four times but came through in the end, hitting a ball that bounced off Mets reliever Seth Lugo’s foot that scored the game-ending run. Afterward, he spoke with reporters about his latest All-Star appearance.
“Charlie (Freeman’s son) really wanted me to make it so he can meet (Padres shortstop) Fernando Tatis Jr.,” Freeman said. “And that was his only thing he wanted me to do, make it so he could meet him. After the start I’ve had, to be in this situation, it is satisfying. I’ve been trying to grind and pick it up. The last couple weeks, the balls have certainly fallen for me.
“To get back there again, and now Charlie’s really going to enjoy this one. So that’s what it’s all about. I’m just happy to make it so Charlie can go and meet some more players because that’s what makes it exciting for me, having my son be more excited than I am. It’s just cool. Five of them is definitely is special. But I’m just more excited that Charlie gets to go again.”
Acuna, 23, will make his second All-Star appearance. This also is his second time as a starter after he was voted a starting outfielder in 2019, when Acuna became the youngest Brave to start an All-Star game.
Acuna is in the midst of a monstrous season that’s placed him firmly in the early MVP discussion. He’s hitting .280/.386/.601 with 22 homers, 48 RBIs and a league-leading 63 runs scored. He’s also stolen 16 bases.
The Braves joined the Reds as the only NL teams with multiple All-Star starters. Cincinnati’s Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker will join Acuna in the NL outfield.
Second baseman Ozzie Albies, who led his position during phase 1 of voting, was edged by Pittsburgh’s Adam Frazier for the starting nod. Albies could still be a reserve. He has one All-Star appearance (2018).
“Hopefully Ozzie gets recognized for the half he’s had,” Snitker said.
The All-Star game is scheduled for July 13 at Coors Field in Denver.
The starting NL team:
C Buster Posey (Giants)
1B Freddie Freeman (Braves)
2B Adam Frazier (Pirates)
3B Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)
SS Fernando Tatis (Padres)
OF Ronald Acuna (Braves)
OF Nick Castellanos (Reds)
OF Jesse Winker (Reds)
