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Atlanta Braves players who impressed in May despite the team's frustrating struggles

These players had a memorable month of May for the Atlanta Braves.

By Matt Melton |
Washington Nationals v Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals v Atlanta Braves / Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/GettyImages
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A few days ago, we took a look back at the month of May and listed six prospects from within the Atlanta Braves organization who had impressed with their on-field play during that stretch.

Using that same idea now, here are a few players for the Atlanta Braves at the major league level who have impressed during the month.

Atlanta Braves players who impressed during a tumultuous month

Chris Sale, LHP

To keep things simple, it's hard to find a better month of May across baseball than what was a reality for Chris Sale. Across his five starts, which was also 32 IP, the left-hander posted a phenomenal 0.56 ERA to go with his 5-0 record and 45:2 K/BB ratio, while also holding opponents to a combined .193 average.

Now two months into his first season in Atlanta, Sale's numbers for the year sit at an 8-1 record with a 3.06 ERA and 82:10 K/BB ratio across 67.2 innings, as well as the fourth-best FIP (2.50) and NL-best BB/9 of 1.33 across 11 starts. Is the left-hander emerging as a legit Cy Young candidate or will he regress as the season continues?

Marcell Ozuna, DH

Likely the Braves MVP up to this point, Marcell Ozuna continued to rake during May, slashing .294/.380/.576 across 26 games, which also translates to a .956 OPS. While likely a step down from his 1.036 OPS, nine HR, and 31 RBI from 28 games in April, this was still an impressive all-around month for Ozuna, as he also added seven HR with 17 RBI over that stretch combined with that slash line.

For the season, Ozuna is still enjoying one of the greatest starts to a season in his 12-year career at the major league level, slashing .313/.388/.611 over that span. His 17 HR, 53 RBI, and .611 OPS all lead the National League while his .999 OPS is tied with Ohtani for best in the NL.

Marcell has garnered some early attention for NL MVP with how clutch he has been for Atlanta.He always seems to get a hit when the team needs it. This continued his hot stretch after breaking his early slump in May 2023.

Aaron Bummer, LHP

After a rough start to the year, there are few relievers for the Atlanta Braves who have had a better May than Bummer. Across nine IP, the left-hander has posted a 0-1 record with a 2.00 ERA and a 10:3 K/BB ratio with opponents holding a combined .250 AVG against him.

Over the season, Bummer's ERA now sits at 3.54, with his other numbers including a 1-2 record with a 21:6 K/BB ratio across 20.1 innings. Will this continue for what has been a bounce-back season for the left-hander?

Max Fried, LHP

After a stellar finish to April, Fried carried over that success into May where he owned a 3-2 record with a 2.04 ERA and 29:10 K/BB ratio across 35.1 innings pitched. Over his five starts, Fried also limited opponents to a combined .189 average.

For the season, Fried's numbers now sit at a 5-2 record with a 2.97 ERA and 54:21 K/BB ratio across 66.2 IP (11 starts), while also leading the MLB with two complete games and one shutout. Based on his previous success, Fried will only continue to get better as summer approaches.

Matt Olson, 1B

Another player who likely topped his production from April was Olson, who slashed .270/.327/.470 to post a combined .797 OPS so far during May. Over his 27 games, Olson also posted five HR with 15 RBI, while also adding five doubles with a 29:8 K/BB ratio.

Throughout 56 games this season, Olson is now slashing .240/.328/.447 with nine HR and 32 RBI, while also holding a .775 OPS. Will Olson now continue to heat up as we enter the month of June? It looks promising so far and the Braves will be happy to see him start to contribute more offensively.

Dylan Lee, LHP

Arguably the Braves' most impressive reliever from May has been Lee, who has pitched 12 innings for Atlanta this month. Over that span, Lee owns a 1-0 record with a 0.75 ERA and 12:1 K/BB ratio, while also holding opponents to a combined .250 batting average.

Lee is also likely on his way to a career year, as he currently owns a 1-1 record with a 1.42 ERA and 21:8 K/BB ratio across 25.1 innings pitched, which is essentially the same sample size for the left-hander from a year ago. Don't be surprised if Lee continues this level of play going forward as well.

Reynaldo Lopez, RHP

Likely Atlanta's most impactful free agent signing thus far has been Lopez, who continued his strong start to the year during May. Across his 27.1 innings pitched, which translated to five starts, Lopez owns a 1-1 record with a 1.98 ERA, a 24:10 K/BB ratio, and a .225 AVG against.

Across the 2024 campaign so far, Lopez has made 10 starts for the Braves in which he owns a 3-2 record with a 1.73 ERA and a 55:20 K/BB ratio across 57.1 innings. Lopez has been such a nice surprise for the Braves since the team announced that they would utilize him in the starter role. The only question remaining is if he will be able to sustain this performance all season.

Raisel Iglesias, RHP

Atlanta's closer has continued to impress during May despite having one blown save, as he owns a 2.70 ERA with seven saves across his 10 innings pitched. Iglesias has also posted a 7:3 K/BB ratio over that span, holding opponents to a combined .211 AVG against.

For the season, Iglesias currently owns a 2.53 ERA and 16:5 K/BB ratio across 21.1 IP, along with 14 saves across his 22 total appearances. Based on those numbers, it's clear that the right-hander is on his way to a similar season to his 2023 campaign.

May was a tough month for the Braves as they just couldn't seem to find any consistency on the offensive side of things. However, things seem to be heading in the right direction and hopefully, they will break out in June and show a semblance of the team we all know and love.

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