Fansided

Ranking each piece of Atlanta Braves young core after Harris extension

By Jake Oliver

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves looks on before a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 04, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 6-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves looks on before a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 04, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 6-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 14: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated in the dugout by teammates after scoring in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on August 14, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

3. Matt Olson, First Baseman

During the Freddie Freeman soap opera, the Atlanta Braves made a surprising trade with the Oakland Athletics by trading multiple prospects for first baseman Matt Olson, who grew up in the Atlanta area as a Braves fan. Olson is a well-regarded first baseman with an elite glove and above-average power, but he isn’t Freddie Freeman. He’s a one-time All-Star with two Gold Gloves and multiple top finishes in MVP voting.

He’s not an MVP winner or franchise icon like Freddie Freeman which is why he’s this high in the rankings. The 28-year-old has a lot of pressure and expectations on him to perform like Freddie or better after the team traded for him and then gave him an 8-year, $168 million deal. Olson is now under contract through 2029 with a 2030 option. That takes him through his age-36/37 season.

So far, Olson has been really good in 2022. He’s appeared in every game so far this year (119), which leads the league. He leads the league in plate appearances with 523 too. His batting average is a bit lower than normal at .249, but he’s got a great OBP at .335 and slugging percentage at .490. His 125 OPS+ is well above-average. He has 36 doubles, 25 home runs, and 79 RBI serving as a core piece of the lineup.

It’s safe to say that as much as the Braves and their fans might miss Freeman, Olson is holding his own in Atlanta. He’s far younger and should age quite well. He will create his own long-lasting legacy as a member of the Atlanta Braves as he continues to be a terrific player for the long term.

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