3 Braves MVP candidates, and 1 player who should be benched
By John Buhler
28. player. 1B. Matt Olson. Atlanta Braves. 17. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Matt Olson is making the most of his second season in an Atlanta Braves uniform
No doubt about it, Matt Olson faced an immense amount of pressure coming over from the Oakland Athletics to play for his hometown Braves in a blockbuster trade last season. Not only was he playing for the then-reigning World Series champions, as well as in front of friends and family on a nightly basis, he was replacing beloved former franchise cornerstone Freddie Freeman.
Olson did just fine in his first season with the Braves. Yes, the average was down but he had a smooth stroke from the left side of the plate, hitting all the doubles in the world. However, an offseason no longer defined by tumult has brought out the best in him with the Braves. Olson was for all intents and purposes, the Grapefruit League MVP. He has continued with a hot start in April.
As with Acuña, there is a freeing feeling with him at the plate. He is not as fleet of foot, but his approach in the batter’s box is refined and methodical. Olson has been a major beneficiary of the infield shift being outlawed. This has led to the dude raking more than a suburban dad gathering the deciduous splendor in one’s yard in early-to-late November. It is good to be Matty O, baby!
Olson has become every bit the cornerstone at first that Austin Riley is over at the hot corner.