All-Star first baseman Matt Olson is due for an enormous 12 months in 2026.
Olson is coming off of one in every of his finest years, smashing 29 homers, driving in 95 RBIs and having a slash line of .272/.366/.484 — good for an .850 OPS.
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Olson’s .850 OPS was 4th within the MLB amongst first basemen, however his 6.1 WAR positioned first, nonetheless displaying his elite glove on protection.
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Heading into 12 months 11, the expectation for Olson is to proceed being among the finest hitters not simply at his place, however in all of baseball.
Olson’s 112 residence runs because the begin of 2023 ranks seventh in your entire MLB, and 2nd amongst first basemen solely behind Pete Alonso.
After profitable the 2021 World Series, former Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman elected to not resign with Atlanta, as an alternative becoming a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, making a void at first base.
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On March 14, 2022, Atlanta acquired Olson from the Oakland Athletics by way of commerce for a package deal of outfielder Cristian Pache, catcher Shea Langeliers, and right-handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes.
During Olson’s Atlanta tenure, he has hit 146 residence runs whereas driving in a group excessive 435 RBIs because the begin of 2022. Olson is one in every of, if not the very best hitter on Atlanta’s roster.
Games Played: 159
Plate Appearances: 686
Home Runs: 32
Batting Average: .256
On Base Percentage: .349
Slugging Percentage: .478
WRC+ : 129
wOBA: .355
WAR: 3.4
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Although Fangraphs expects Olson to regress in 2026, I’ve to disagree with their mannequin.
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In 2025, Olson was within the ninety fifth percentile in batting run worth and 89th percentile in fielding run worth, additional displaying his elite manufacturing as a hitter and defender. Even if Olson has a down 12 months offensively, his elite protection will maintain him amongst the highest of first basemen within the league.
Even although Olson’s 2025 marketing campaign wasn’t nearly as good as prior years, he was nonetheless elite in lots of superior metrics.
Olson is within the 86th percentile in xSLG, ninety fifth percentile in common exit velocity, 89th percentile in barrel share, ninety fifth percentile in exhausting hit share, and 89th percentile in stroll charge, additional presenting why Olson continues to be one of many league’s finest hitters.
I anticipate Olson’s elite bat and protection to assist lead Atlanta again to the postseason for the primary time since 2023.
However, the query stays as as to whether or not Olson can attain the extent of manufacturing he displayed in 2023 in 2026.