The Braves bought out Heyward's last arbitration-eligible years on February 4, 2014, agreeing on a two-year, $13.3 million contract.
Already rated one of the top defensive outfielders in the league, his coverage in right field significantly improved, demonstrated through an increased defensive runs saved (DRS) total.
Through May 19, he registered 16 DRS, matching three of his previous four entire season totals.
Inside Edge (IE) charted that of all batted balls hit to him, Heyward had missed a total of nine in 358 innings; all nine were rated as having a 10% or lower chance of being caught.
Two catches in motion off the bat of Mike Trout – one tumbling on a sinking line drive and one sprinting and leaping at the warning track – helped ensure a 7–3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 15.
Heyward also added a home run.

Playing as the Braves' primary leadoff hitter, he played in 149 games and finished with a .271 batting average, .351 on-base percentage, 74 runs scored, 11 HR, 58 RBI and 20 stolen bases.
Caught stealing just four times, his 83.33% success rate placed seventh in the NL.
Defensively, Heyward registered a standout season.
In 149 games in right field, he led the NL at his position in putouts (365), assists (nine), range factor per nine innings (2.56) and game (2.51), fielding percentage (.997), and total zone runs (30).
Among all NL outfielders, he was fifth in assists, third in range factor per game and second in putouts and fielding percentage.

Further, per Baseball-Reference.com, Heyward registered fourth in the league with 2.8 defensive wins above replacement (dWAR) and led all MLB players with 32 total DRS.
He saved 40 bases on deep-hit balls, which was the highest output of his career and led all MLB outfielders.
Accordingly, Heyward was the recipient of a number of awards, including his second of both the Rawlings NL Gold Glove Award and of the Fielding Bible Award for all MLB right fielders, the latter of which he won unanimously.
Wilson Sporting Goods named him their MLB right field Defensive Player of the Year and overall MLB Defensive Player of the Year.
The Braves bought out Heyward's last arbitration-eligible years on February 4, 2014, agreeing on a two-year, $13.3 million contract. Already rated one of the top defensive outfielders in the league, his coverage in right field significantly improved, demonstrated through an increased defensive runs saved (DRS) total. Through May 19, he registered 16 DRS, matching three of his previous four entire season totals. Inside Edge (IE) charted that of all batted balls hit to him, Heyward had missed a total of nine in 358 innings; all nine were rated as having a 10% or lower chance of being caught. Two catches in motion off the bat of Mike Trout – one tumbling on a sinking line drive and one sprinting and leaping at the warning track – helped ensure a 7–3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 15. Heyward also added a home run.
Playing as the Braves' primary leadoff hitter, he played in 149 games and finished with a .271 batting average, .351 on-base percentage, 74 runs scored, 11 HR, 58 RBI and 20 stolen bases. Caught stealing just four times, his 83.33% success rate placed seventh in the NL. Defensively, Heyward registered a standout season. In 149 games in right field, he led the NL at his position in putouts (365), assists (nine), range factor per nine innings (2.56) and game (2.51), fielding percentage (.997), and total zone runs (30). Among all NL outfielders, he was fifth in assists, third in range factor per game and second in putouts and fielding percentage.
Further, per Baseball-Reference.com, Heyward registered fourth in the league with 2.8 defensive wins above replacement (dWAR) and led all MLB players with 32 total DRS. He saved 40 bases on deep-hit balls, which was the highest output of his career and led all MLB outfielders. Accordingly, Heyward was the recipient of a number of awards, including his second of both the Rawlings NL Gold Glove Award and of the Fielding Bible Award for all MLB right fielders, the latter of which he won unanimously. Wilson Sporting Goods named him their MLB right field Defensive Player of the Year and overall MLB Defensive Player of the Year.
Jason Heyward