The Atlanta Braves are currently trailing the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East by 7.5 games. If the pace holds, it could be the first time in seven years Atlanta does not capture the division crown.
Injuries have been a killer for the Braves this season, losing Spencer Strider early and then reigning MVP Ronald Acuna Jr.in May. Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies and now Michael Harris have all spent time on the IL as well. Despite these setbacks, the Braves are in the driver’s seat for the top NL Wild Card spot at 43-33. A big reason for that is the productivity of Marcell Ozuna.
Ozuna’s Career Season
Marcell Ozuna is no stranger to success at the MLB level. However, on a team that’s been as loaded as Atlanta the past few seasons, the Dominican born veteran is often overlooked in the lineup. The opposite is true this year. While Austin Riley and Matt Olson have struggled to produce the kind of power numbers the Braves have come to expect, Ozuna has picked up the slack. He’s currently sitting at 21 HRs (2nd in NL, 4th overall), 64 RBIs (1st in NL, 3rd overall). He is batting .314 (4th overall) with a .985 OPS (3rd in NL, 6th overall). It doesn’t get much better than that.
Marcell Ozuna hits his NL-leading 20th homer of the season for the @Braves. pic.twitter.com/XK0lTksdsY
— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2024
Ozuna is on pace to match his 2017 season with the Marlins. In 2017, Ozuna hit 37 homers with 124 RBIs and a .312 BA. He was an All-Star that season and took home the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove. Ozuna is primarily a DH these days, but the Braves couldn’t ask more. His productivity has also resulted in a shift in the lineup, moving from fifth to third to capture more at-bats.
The Rest of the Way
If the Braves continue on a path to the postseason, they will have Ozuna’s bat to thank for providing that offensive spark. It’s expected with Strider and Acuna out for the season that the Braves will be active at the trade deadline. Rumors are swirling they’re targeting the Jack Flaherty from the Tigers or Garrett Crochet from the White Sox to bolster their starting rotation. Chris Sale and Max Fried have both had fantastic starts to the season and are in the Cy Young Award discussion.
On the outfield side, Jarred Kelenic has really stepped it up in the absence of Acuna and more recently, Michael Harris. The Braves may look to additional help in the outfield at the trade deadline as well. Some have suggested Randy Arozarena. While Arozarena has struggled this season, he’s proven to be a force of nature in the postseason. A trade to the Braves could reenergize him.
Ricky Bobby might have said “if you’re not first, your last,” but in reality, it’s not where you start it’s where you finish. First round byes in the postseason resulted in early exits in 2022 and 2023. An eager Wild Card Braves team may be just what they need to stay hungry, finish strong and compete in the postseason. And, if Marcell Ozuna stays the course, he will remain a contender for National League MVP.
