Olson’s stellar 1B defense rewarded with 3rd career Gold Glove
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ATLANTA -- Matt Olson’s great athleticism is clearly visible when he occasionally spends some of his time before a game taking grounders on the left side of the infield.
“He looks like a shortstop out there,” former Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “If you watch him take those grounders, you feel like he could play that position. He’s just so athletic. His arm is such a weapon, and his hands and his feet work. He’s a special fielder.”
Olson’s defensive prowess was rewarded on Sunday when he won his third career Rawlings Gold Glove Award. This is the first time he has been recognized as the National League’s best defensive first baseman at the end of a season. He won two Gold Gloves while playing that position with the A’s in 2018 and ’19.
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It was easy to understand why Olson’s teammates praised his glovework throughout this past season. The 6-foot-4 veteran led all MLB first basemen in fielding run value (+8) and defensive runs saved (+17). No other first baseman had a DRS above +12 this year, per Fielding Bible.
Olson’s lateral mobility has helped him prove to be more than just one of the game’s top power threats. Per Statcast, he also was tied for first among first basemen in range (+7).
One of Olson’s top defensive plays of the year was produced during the sixth inning of an Aug. 30 loss in Philadelphia. He smoothly fielded Bryce Harper’s sharp one-out grounder, stepped on first base and made a pinpoint throw that easily beat a sliding Trea Turner to the plate.
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“He was so slick, I didn’t even see it,” Braves left-hander Chris Sale said. “That was the confusion on the field. I didn’t even see him step on first base. I was sitting there thinking there were just two outs.”
Freddie Freeman (2018) is the only other Braves first baseman to win a Gold Glove.