Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale has earned a spot on the All-MLB First Team. He stood out as the only player from the Braves organization to make either the First or Second Team this year. This recognition comes after a stellar season in which Sale reestablished himself as one of baseball’s premier pitchers.
This is the first time Sale has been named to the All-MLB Team, an honor created in 2019. The timing of its introduction coincided with a challenging period in his career, making this achievement all the more meaningful. Sale didn’t just return to form in 2023—he delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances in recent memory.
He led the National League in wins (18), ERA (2.38), and strikeouts (225), claiming the NL Triple Crown for pitching. This rare feat hadn’t been accomplished in the National League since Clayton Kershaw achieved it in 2011. Sale narrowly missed out on the MLB-wide Triple Crown, finishing just three strikeouts behind Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers.
In addition to these traditional stats, Sale was exceptional in advanced metrics. He led the league in FIP (2.09), ERA+ (174), strikeouts per nine innings (11.4), and home runs allowed per nine innings (0.5). His dominance earned him his eighth All-Star selection and his first career Gold Glove Award, highlighting his defensive contributions as well.
While Sale was a clear choice for the First Team, his teammate Marcell Ozuna had a strong case for inclusion as well but fell short in the designated hitter category. The spots ultimately went to Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Alvarez.
Sale’s remarkable season didn’t end with his First Team honor. He was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year as well. He is widely considered the favorite for the Cy Young Award. Alongside fellow finalists Paul Skenes and Zack Wheeler, Sale remains at the forefront of baseball’s elite.
The All-MLB Team is selected through fan voting and celebrates the year’s top performers. For Chris Sale, it’s another chapter in a season defined by resilience and dominance, cementing his place among the game’s best.
