Braves Slugger Receives Surprising Ceiling in 2024

The Atlanta Braves may have a surprising participant in the 2024 home run title contest.

Even when he wasn’t playing well, the Atlanta Braves stayed by him.

And now he’s one of baseball’s hottest batters.

On the morning of May 2nd, 2023, designated hitter Marcell Ozuna was batting.085, after going 5-59 in the team’s first month. But manager Brian Snitker persevered with him, inserting him into the lineup that night, and Marcell would soon repay Snitker’s trust.

In Atlanta’s series in South Florida against the Miami Marlins, the team that signed him as an amateur free agent in 2008 and in which he still resides, Ozuna was on fire: 6-13, three home runs (including a grand slam), six runs scored, and six RBIs as Atlanta swept Miami by a combined score of 26-9.

Since then, “The Big Bear” has become a huge hit. From May 2nd to the end of the season, Marcell hit.297/.366/.603 with 38 homers and 98 RBIs, giving him a career-high 40 homers and the second-highest RBI total of his career.

Ozuna’s strong hitting has continued in 2024, with an NL-leading five home runs and a team-high 13 RBIs through the first ten games of the season.

The finish to last year and this year’s hot start are why MLB.com, while reviewing early season developments “to believe in” for each team, identified Ozuna as a potential home run title contender in 2024.

“Ozuna’s early power production is simply an extension of his performance in the latter five months of last season. His early-season difficulties last year prompted speculation that he may be released. Ozuna is tied for the NL lead in home runs and second among MLB players with 43 since May 1. He might be a real candidate for the National League home run crown in 2024.”

In fact, the only player with more home runs since May 1st is his teammate Matt Olson, who led the MLB with 54 home runs in 2024, including 49 from May 1st to present (46 last season and three in 2024).

According to third baseman Austin Riley, the significant turnaround may be ascribed to Ozuna’s hard work and the team’s performance standards. “What he went through early in the year, he sets himself to a higher standard.” Riley informed David O’Brien of The Athletic. I believe we all do. And what he’s doing now is exactly what he expects of himself on a daily basis. He’s put in the effort and time. He’s been in the game for a long time and understands what it’s like to struggle. You just have to stay to the strategy, and he is doing that.”

Ozuna stated that, while the struggles were difficult, they are now behind him and he can enjoy playing baseball again.

Sometimes you have a complete attitude, your mind is charged, and you put all of your worries behind you,” he told O’Brien. “Now I can come every day and be as pleased as I used to be. Every day, I come in cheerful and play joyfully when I get the chance. Now that I have the opportunity and the chance, I must take advantage.

Ozuna has helped the club not only on offense, but also as a seasoned mentor. Centerfielder Michael Harris II credited an in-game talk with Ozuna against the New York Mets last season with breaking him out of his rut and fuelling his incredible second half.

“Just believe in myself and trust that I’m one of the baddest guys out there.”@MoneyyyMikeee shares the message that ignited his biggest night of the season. pic.twitter.com/pvSZFE5pOn

Ozuna told O’Brien that this is the type of teammate he aspires to be since it leads to team success. I constantly do that. It’s similar to the type on my profile. I always try to help when I see something. I do not want to be like eyewash. I wish to help them. If they perform well, so do I, because we are a team, a unit.”

Ozuna is in the final year of a four-year, $65 million contract signed before the 2021 season. He has a $16 million club option for 2025, his 34th season, which appears to be a no-brainer for the team to pick up.