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Braves 2021 Player Previews: The Big Bear — Marcell Ozuna

By Trent Dickeson

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves Marcell Ozuna
Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Will Marcell Ozuna replicate his 2020 season?

Time to put on our neon arm sleeve and take a look at what the projection models think about Marcell Ozuna in 2020.

Here are the projection models provided by FanGraphs:

  • The Bat- .281/.357/.519, 37 HRs, 101 Rs, 105 RBIs, and a 130 wrc+.
  • ATC- .281/.361/.516 33 HRs, 87 Rs, 102 RBIs, and a 130 wrc+.
  • Depth Charts- .284/.358/.523 36 HRs, 92 Rs, 122 RBIs, and a 124 wrc+.
  • Steamer- .281/.361/.512, 34 HRs, 92 Rs, 105 RBIs, and a 122 wrc+.
  • ZiPS- .287/.356/.534 34 HRs, 82 Rs, 126 RBIs, and a 127 wrc+.

Most of the projection models are predicting another great season for Marcell Ozuna in 2021. If Marcell Ozuna can be a .280-.285 hitter with 35 HRs and 200 Runs and RBIs, he is going to be a great middle of the order bat.

Hitting in a lineup with Ronald Acuña, Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, and the rest of the Braves lineup should provide Marcell with some opportunities to do some damage in 2021. This could set up for him to contend for a Silver Slugger award in 2021.

The big concern with Ozuna’s game will be his defense. All of his defensive metrics are bad. If the universal DH does arrive in 2022, it would be a natural transition for Ozuna to become the full time DH at that point.

However, while he will have to play the field with the absence of the DH in the National League, it maynot be a huge isse. An outfield of Cristian Pache and Ronald Acuña should be able to cover the majority of the outfield. Ozuna just needs to worry about the balls hit directly at him and anything towards the foul line.

If Ozuna can find a way to be serviceable in the outfield, he will provide a great value to the Atlanta Braves going forward. He was given the four-year $65 million contract to do damage at the plate, and that is what the Braves need from Ozuna in 2021 and beyond.

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