Atlanta Braves players who impressed in May despite the team's frustrating struggles
By Matt Melton
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?
Go ahead and arrange shipping for Chris Sale's Pitcher of the Month award after this May run:
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 26, 2024
⛵️ 5-0 record
⛵️ 32 innings
⛵️ 45 strikeouts
⛵️ 2 earned runs
⛵️ 2 walks pic.twitter.com/pB0FIpnxwf
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.