Expected Chop

Braves Country has enjoyed the power Riley has showcased this spring, but that's not what I've had my eye on Riley's K% by year: 2023 - 24.1% 2024 - 25.2% 2025 - 28.6% Riley is boasting a 19.0% K% in spring, which is where the results will really come

@ChoppinBravos And if Robert’s bat starts to click again (which is totally possible), watch out

@ExpectedChop I keep telling them. Polanco and Bo were massive picks up. I had secretly hoped AA would get a bat at SS or move for Polanco on 2B

I love dunking on the Mets as much as the next guy, but Braves fans are in for a rude awakening this season This squad is the NL East betting favorite for good reason

Here's a quick and simple overview of Rowdy Tellez: 2025: 312 PAs 101 wRC+ 5.4% BB% 26.6% K% -5 wRC+ vs. L (24 PAs) 109 wRC+ vs. R (269 PAs)

AL ROTY: Kevin McGonigle This was maybe my easiest pick, McGonigle's bat is hard not to love Across 397 PA in 2025, he walked at a 15% clip with just an 11.6% K% on his way to a 182 wRC+ McGonigle hasn't played a game above AA, but a 159 wRC+ in Spring Training is legit

NL ROTY: Sal Stewart Sal had a great, brief stint at the end of 2025 (.838 OPS), but that's not what I'm basing this off. Stewart posted a 152 wRC+ across 494 PA in AA/AAA in 2025, which he's carried over to a *182 wRC+* in Spring Training so far. Look out, NL Central!

My 2026 MLB Award Predictions ... with one caveat. I can't pick any of last year's winners, because that's boring.

Friday, March 27th - 7:15pm Chris Sale vs. Cole Ragans. I wouldn't miss this one. Sale in 2024-25: 303.1 IP | 2.33 FIP | 11.57 K/9 Ragans in 2024-25: 248.0 IP | 2.87 FIP | 11.65 K/9

Biggest Disappointment: Ozzie Albies It simply breaks my heart to write something like this, but the writing is on the wall with Ozzie. With poor bat speed, swing decisions, and defense, Ozzie's value is becoming hard to find. I hope I'm wrong, but man something has to give

Biggest Surprise: Mauricio Dubón I am a firm believer Dubón was a better pickup than most of Braves Country realizes. He is a premiere defender in the *entire* sport, and can play just about anywhere In 2025, Dubón posted a higher FRV than Nick Allen, and higher wRC+ than HSK

With Opening Day exactly one week away, it's time for my Braves predictions! As a disclaimer, the awards are TEAM awards, I am not predicting every single award to be a Brave. Thread🧵