During his tenure with the Atlanta Braves, all first basemanMatt Olson has done is hit. Since 2022, his 170 home runs rank fifth in MLB, and .863 OPS ranks 10th.
What might be more impressive is that Olson has never missed a game in a Braves uniform. He played all 162 from 2022-2025 and has appeared in all 89 of the club’s games in 2026. It is the longest streak of any active player.
This season, the Braves have once again greatly benefitted from Olson’s consistency at the plate. They are 52-37, first place in the National League East again after missing postseason last year. The Philadelphia Phillies trail them closely at three games back.
Olson is putting together another terrific season. The 32-year-old is slashing .273/.344/.546 for an .890 OPS. He has mashed 24 home runs and has 57 RBIs; both marks lead the team.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
When the All-Star festivities were hosted by Atlanta in 2025, Olson entered the Home Run Derby field. He hit 15 home runs in the first round, but unfortunately fell to the Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh and his 17.
Olson has been named to the 2026 All-Star team for the National League. The game will be played at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. Despite being on pace to shatter last year’s home run total, Olson will not participate in the Home Run Derby.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com spoke with the four-time All-Star on Saturday, trying to persuade Olson to join the competition. It was a vain effort.
Olson's numbers actually climbed after his participation in the 2025 derby. His .877 second half OPS topped his .830 clip for the first half. The main reason for Olson’s denial simply lies in the fact that it will not be in Atlanta this year.
The Braves have two more series to go before the All-Star Break begins July 13. They will play a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday through Thursday, then at the St. Louis Cardinals in a weekend set Friday through Sunday.
