The Atlanta Braves, one of baseball’s oldest and most storied franchises, have been home to legends spanning generations, from their days in Milwaukee and Boston to their current dynasty in Atlanta. From MVPs and Hall of Famers to Gold Glovers and postseason heroes, the all-time Braves roster is as deep and decorated as any in Major League Baseball.
Let’s take a position-by-position look at the greatest players to ever wear a Braves uniform. This is the list of the best Braves at each spot on the diamond, based on career impact, accolades, and lasting legacy. All stats and awards for the following players came from Baseball Reference, Fangraphs, and MLB.com.
Catcher: Joe Torre
Joe Torre may be best remembered as a Hall of Fame manager. However, his playing days with the Braves (1960–1968) were incredibly productive. Torre made four All-Star appearances as a Brave and won a Gold Glove in 1965.
He hit .294 with 142 home runs over nine seasons in a Braves uniform, showcasing both durability and offensive punch behind the plate. Honorable mention goes to Javy López, whose power and clutch postseason performances in the ’90s make him a fan favorite.
First Base: Freddie Freeman
There’s no debate here. Freddie Freeman, the 2020 NL MVP, spent 12 seasons in Atlanta (2010–2021) and became the heart and soul of the franchise during its post-Chipper Jones era.
Freeman hit .295 with 271 home runs as a Brave, made five All-Star teams, won three Silver Sluggers, and was instrumental in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series run. He combined elite offensive production with Gold Glove-caliber defense and remains one of the most beloved Braves of all time.
Second Base: Glenn Hubbard
While Ozzie Albies may be climbing this list, Glenn Hubbard earns the nod for now. He spent over a decade (1978–1987) anchoring the Braves’ middle infield and was known for his gritty play and defensive consistency. Though not a power hitter, Hubbard was a steady presence and made the All-Star team in 1983. For a franchise light on superstar second basemen, Hubbard’s longevity and glove make him the best to date.
Shortstop: Rafael Furcal
It’s close between Furcal and Andrelton Simmons, but Furcal’s total package—speed, offense, and defensive flair—gets the edge. Furcal burst onto the scene as the 2000 NL Rookie of the Year and played six seasons in Atlanta, hitting .284 and stealing 189 bases. He was a spark plug for multiple playoff teams and brought game-changing speed to the top of the lineup.
Third Base: Chipper Jones
An all-time great at any position, Chipper Jones is the Braves’ third baseman. A career .303 hitter with 468 home runs, Jones was the 1999 NL MVP, an eight-time All-Star, and a cornerstone of the Braves’ unprecedented run of 14 consecutive division titles. He ranks second in franchise history in games played and is the only switch-hitter in MLB history with a .300 average, 400+ homers, and a .900 OPS.
Left Field: Rico Carty
Rico Carty was one of the most dangerous hitters of the 1960s and early ’70s. He played nine seasons for the Braves and won the NL batting title in 1970 with a .366 average. Though injuries cut his prime short, Carty was an All-Star and hit .317 during his Braves tenure. Honorable mention: Ron Gant, whose power-speed combo helped define the early ’90s Braves.
Center Field: Andruw Jones
Arguably the best defensive center fielder in baseball history, Andruw Jones patrolled the outfield for Atlanta from 1996 to 2007. He won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves, made five All-Star teams, and hit 434 home runs (368 with the Braves). His 51 homers in 2005 led the majors and earned him a runner-up finish in MVP voting. When you think of Braves center field, you think of No. 25 chasing down everything in sight.
Right Field: Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron is not just the greatest Braves right fielder—he’s one of the greatest players in the history of baseball. Hammerin’ Hank spent 21 of his 23 MLB seasons with Atlanta, hitting 733 of his 755 home runs in a Braves uniform.
He was a 25-time All-Star (yes, that’s not a typo), the 1957 NL MVP, and a three-time Gold Glove winner. Aaron remains MLB’s all-time leader in RBIs (2,297) and total bases (6,856). His legacy transcends sports.
Starting Pitcher: Greg Maddux
The Braves’ rotation in the 1990s was the stuff of legend, but Greg Maddux stood tallest. From 1993 to 2003, Maddux won three of his four Cy Young Awards as a Brave and posted a 2.63 ERA across more than 2,500 innings with the team. He led the staff that powered Atlanta to its 1995 World Series title and was as cerebral as he was dominant.
Honorable mentions: Tom Glavine (two Cy Youngs), John Smoltz (Cy Young and clutch postseason dominance), Phil Niekro (3,342 Ks with Atlanta).
Relief Pitcher: Craig Kimbrel
No reliever in Braves history has been more dominant than Craig Kimbrel during his prime. From 2010 to 2014, Kimbrel racked up 186 saves with a staggering 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings and a 1.43 ERA.
He made four All-Star appearances and led the league in saves for four straight seasons. Simply put, if you were trailing in the ninth against the Braves during that stretch, the game was over.
Manager: Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox’s legacy with the Braves is both massive in scope and deep in impact. Over 25 total seasons as Atlanta’s manager, Cox built the Braves into a perennial contender, guiding the franchise through its most dominant stretch in modern baseball history. From 1991 to 2005, the franchise won an unprecedented 14 consecutive division titles — a run unmatched in the four major American sports.
A Braves Legacy Built on Legends
From Hank and Chipper to Maddux and Freeman, the Braves’ all-time roster is a powerhouse of baseball greatness. Each player on this list helped define a different era of Braves baseball—from the early Milwaukee and Boston years to the dynasty days of the ’90s and the championship revival of the 2020s.
Atlanta’s history isn’t just rich—it’s generational. And whether you’re looking at stats, stories, or impact, these are the names that truly earned their place in Braves lore.
