Matt Olson, Infield, Atlanta Braves

Date of Birth: 3/29/1994
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia

Matt Olson, infielder for the Atlanta Braves, was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2012. He played in the Athletics' minor league system from 2012 through most of 2016.

Olson joined the Athletics for 11 games in 2016. He batted just .095 with 2 hits. He spent the rest of the season in the minors, batting .235 in 131 games.

Olson played in 59 games with the Athletics in 2017. He had 49 hits and a .259 batting average.

Olson had his first full season in the major leagues in 2018. He batted .247 with 143 hits, 33 doubles, 29 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 163 strikeouts to 70 walks in 162 games. A good defensive first baseman, he won his first Gold Glove in 2018. He made 84 assists, 115 double plays, 1,403 putouts, and 7 errors in 162 games. In the postseason, he had no hits in 2 at-bats in 1 game.

Olson spent time on the DL in 2019 with right hand surgery. He finished the season with 129 hits, 26 doubles, 36 home runs, 91 RBIs, 138 strikeouts to 51 walks, and a .267 batting average in 127 games. He played well defensively and he won a Gold Glove as a first baseman. He made 90 assists, 95 double plays, 1,023 putouts, and 8 errors in 127 games. In the postseason, he had 1 hit in 3 at-bats in 1 game.

Olson played in a league leading 60 games in the shortened 2020 season. He finished the season with 41 hitss, 14 home runs, 42 RBIs, 77 strikeouts to 34 walks, and a .195 batting average. Defensively, he played all 60 games at first base. In the postseason, he batted .130 with 3 hits, 2 home runs, and 3 RBIs in 23 at-bats in 7 games.

Olson finished the 2021 season with 153 hits, 35 doubles, 39 home runs, 111 RBIs, 113 strikeouts to 88 walks, and a .271 batting average in 156 games. Defensively, as a first baseman in 152 games, he made 73 assists, 98 double plays, 1,156 putouts, and 6 errors.

Olson was traded to the Braves on March 14, 2022. He was given an 8 year, $168 million extension the following day.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Matt Olson
MiLB - Matt Olson