If one player's performance on the 2024 Braves could represent the team as whole, it'd be a good choice to go with first baseman Matt Olson. While Olson enjoyed a record setting season in 2023 (as did the Braves offense as a whole), 2024 has been more of a rollercoaster.
Much like the Braves offense in general, this season has been a year-long battle for the Braves first baseman. Numerous factors are in play when trying to pinpoint why exactly Olson has regressed in 2024, but one simple thing sticks out from the rest.
Olson's timing has been a tick off all season
There's been plenty of moments this season where it felt Matt Olson was primed to breakout and carry the Braves offense for weeks. Unfortunately, Olson hasn't been able to string together that hot streak and it's a big reason why the Braves have been spinning their tires for awhile now.
One clear indication Olson hasn't been in sync with his timing is his spray chart on the balls he's put in play. Last season Olson hit the ball up middle of the field 40.2% of the time. That ranked as the second highest mark of his career. This season Olson has hit the ball up the middle just 32.7% of the time. That ranks as the third lowest percentage of his career.
One huge difference this month is what he has done on pitches across the top of the strike zone. pic.twitter.com/ADsaCvlqoz
— CJ (@CJNitkowski) August 31, 2024
When a batter hits the ball up the middle his timing is locked in. So why is Olson's timing off? Pretty simple, he's cheating to get to the fastball. Velocity is at an all-time high, and being on time with big league fastballs is a greater challenge now more than ever.
Olson's season numbers against the fastball showcase his production dip in 2024. Last season Olson was locked in on the heater, slugging .630 on that pitch. This season his slugging percentage on fastballs sits at just .472.
Olson led all of baseball with +23 run value on four-seam fastballs in 2023. This season his run value against four-seam fastballs sits at zero. That tells you pretty much all you need to know.
If the Braves want to make the postseason they need more from Matt Olson. As up and down as this season has been, Olson can right a lot of wrongs with a hot final stretch. For Olson to accomplish that it's imperative he finds his timing on the heater once again.