Braun was considered a five-tool player for his ability to hit for power and average, his baserunning speed, and his excellent fielding and arm strength. He was ranked number seven by the "Sporting News" in its 2012 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2007, has won five Silver Slugger awards (2008–12), and won the NL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) in 2011. He was named to five straight All-Star games (2008–12), and then a team-high sixth All-Star Game in 2015. Braun has led the NL three times in slugging percentage (in 2007, while setting the major league rookie record, 2011, and 2012), three times in extra-base hits (2008, 2011–12), and once each in hits (2009), home runs (2012), and runs (2012). On defense, he led all major league outfielders in fielding percentage in 2008, led NL left fielders in fielding percentage twice (2009 and 2011), and led NL left fielders in range factor in 2009 and 2012. His 128 home runs through 2010 were the 8th-most by any major leaguer ever through their first four seasons.