Meet the Braves' New First Base Standard, Matt Olson

Matt Olson is proving the Braves made the right call. From power hitting to Gold Glove defense, Olson may be MLB's top first baseman this decade.

Olson Steps Into Big Shoes

Replacing Freddie Freeman in Atlanta wasn't just a roster move - it was an emotional one. Freeman was a franchise cornerstone, a World Series hero, and a likely Hall of Famer. For Braves fans, the transition felt like trading history for uncertainty. But four years later, Matt Olson has turned "replacement" into "upgrade," delivering power, consistency, and the kind of steady leadership that defines the greats.

Olson, an Atlanta native, hasn't just matched expectations - he's building his own legacy. With multiple 30-homer seasons, elite defense, and an NL-leading collection of doubles, he's showing that the Braves' long-term bet on youth and durability was the right call.

The Boring Pro Who Wins Games

Manager Brian Snitker calls Olson the definition of a "boring pro" - the kind of player who doesn't ride emotional highs and lows but shows up every day with the same focus. For Braves fans, that's not boring at all - it's reassuring. Olson's calm approach anchors the lineup and sets a standard in the clubhouse.

The results speak for themselves: three Gold Glove Awards in sight, multiple seasons with 30+ homers, and a 6.1 bWAR this year, the best among all MLB first basemen. That quiet consistency is exactly what keeps championship windows open.

Olson vs. Freeman: The Numbers Don't Lie

Comparisons between Olson and Freeman were inevitable. And here's the wild part - they're still neck and neck. Since 2022, Olson has edged Freeman in bWAR (20.8 to 20.7), all while being five years younger.

Freeman's Cooperstown résumé is secure, but Olson is making his own case to be remembered as one of the game's best first basemen of the decade. With four years left on his deal (plus a 2030 option), Braves fans can count on his prime years being played at Truist Park.

Why Olson is the First Baseman of the Future

Here's why Braves fans (and baseball fans in general) should be paying attention:

✅ Elite Power + Consistency: Multiple 30-homer seasons and counting.
✅ Gold Glove Defense: A cornerstone at first, not just a slugger.
✅ Durability: Plays every day, steady and reliable.
✅ Age Advantage: Five years younger than Freeman, built for the long haul.
✅ Hometown Star: An Atlanta kid anchoring Atlanta's future.

Braves' First Base Legacy Marches On

From Freddie Freeman to Matt Olson, the Braves haven't missed a beat at first base. Olson's power surge and steady presence give Atlanta both the here-and-now production and the long-term stability needed to keep contending deep into the decade.

Freeman's No. 5 may hang in the rafters one day, but Olson's No. 28 is quickly etching itself into Braves history.

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