Matt Olson Awakens in Tough Times

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

June 13, 2024

Through the ups and downs of the 2024 season for the Atlanta Braves come surprising stories many couldn’t predict. Struggles from many players in the squad, some expected and some unexpected. One of those is the 2023 home run leader who was fourth in MVP voting, Matt Olson. He also led the majors in RBI and slugging percentage while playing all 162 games for a 2023 Braves squad that finished with a record of 104–58. Coming off his best season, Olson looked to carry his momentum to the 2024 season in hopes of another historic season, while the Braves looked to win their seventh straight NL East title.

Not So Fast

The contrary, however, happened to Olson. His third season with the Braves started with a shock, which many pundits didn’t predict as an early-season struggle. In Olson’s first 49 games, he slashed an underwhelming .220/.316/.396. In those games, the Braves slugger only clobbered seven home runs in 182 at-bats while striking out 58 times. Olson went an entire calendar month without a big fly (April 8 – May 10). He went seven games without a hit and three in thirteen games in the back half of April. Olson also reached below the Mendoza line, hitting .195 total on May 11. While most of the Braves’ bats went cold, one of the best power hitters in baseball going cold hurt their chances to start the season with fireworks.

Trending In The Right Direction

After crawling his average back to .220 nearly 50 games in, Olson’s play picked up when the Braves needed some hope. Since May 26, the Braves have played 16 games, going 6–10, but Olson’s performance stands out. He posted a .317 average and .371 on-base percentage, with three home runs and 10 RBI. Olson also posts a near 1.000 OPS, a nice comeback to a slow start. For some, an expected clawback for Olson seemed inevitable, and the statistics agree.

Olson ranks in the top 10th percentile in hard-hit percentage and average exit velocity, showing his great contact on the ball. Olson’s K% has decreased to 17 percent and his six doubles are a major contributor to his come back. In the 16 impressive games Olson has posted, his vintage moment is this two-run shot to tie it in Baltimore against the Orioles. In the eighth inning, after many scoreless frames from the Braves, Olson launched a two-run big fly to break the unfortunate streak.

Matt Olson ties it in Baltimore with a 2-run jack! pic.twitter.com/mTXPmcVGsE

— MLB (@MLB) June 13, 2024

The Bigger Picture

Although the Braves’ struggles may supersede Olson’s spectacular stretch, a positive step in the right direction. Sometimes, a team’s spark can only start with one player, but gain the confidence of others. Although their chance of a seventh straight NL East title starts in turmoil, the potential of the Braves’ bats can spur in the right moments. With Matt Olson’s play starting rise, and Marcell Ozuna stepping up as the lead hitter this season, the Braves need other contributors to step up. Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Michael Harris II have crucial roles to step up in dire times. The Braves have a six game home stand before hitting the road once again, and they look to improve on their 19–12 record at Truist Park.