ATLANTA — Matt Olson’s nice athleticism is clearly seen when he sometimes spends a few of his time earlier than a sport taking grounders on the left facet of the infield.
“He seems to be like a shortstop on the market,” former Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “In case you watch him take these grounders, you are feeling like he might play that place. He’s simply so athletic. His arm is such a weapon, and his palms and his ft work. He’s a particular fielder.”
Olson’s defensive prowess was rewarded on Sunday when he gained his third profession Rawlings Gold Glove Award. That is the primary time he has been acknowledged because the Nationwide League’s greatest defensive first baseman on the finish of a season. He gained two Gold Gloves whereas taking part in that place with the A’s in 2018 and ’19.
It was straightforward to grasp why Olson’s teammates praised his glovework all through this previous season. The 6-foot-4 veteran led all MLB first basemen in fielding run worth (+8) and defensive runs saved (+17). No different first baseman had a DRS above +12 this yr, per Fielding Bible.
Olson’s lateral mobility has helped him show to be extra than simply one of many sport’s prime energy threats. Per Statcast, he additionally was tied for first amongst first basemen in vary (+7).
One among Olson’s prime defensive performs of the yr was produced throughout the sixth inning of an Aug. 30 loss in Philadelphia. He easily fielded Bryce Harper’s sharp one-out grounder, stepped on first base and made a pinpoint throw that simply beat a sliding Trea Turner to the plate.
“He was so slick, I didn’t even see it,” Braves left-hander Chris Sale mentioned. “That was the confusion on the sector. I didn’t even see him step on first base. I used to be sitting there considering there have been simply two outs.”
Freddie Freeman (2018) is the one different Braves first baseman to win a Gold Glove.
