What Happened to Matthew Kent Olson?
Matt Olson is an American professional baseball first baseman currently playing for the Atlanta Braves. Known for his powerful left-handed bat and Gold Glove-caliber defense, Olson has established himself as one of MLB's premier sluggers, leading the league in home runs and RBIs in 2023 and consistently performing at a high level through the 2026 season. He holds an eight-year, $168 million contract with the Braves, where he has maintained an impressive consecutive games played streak.
Quick Answer
Matt Olson is currently the starting first baseman for the Atlanta Braves, continuing his career as a prominent power hitter and Gold Glove defender in Major League Baseball. As of August 2026, he remains a key player for the Braves, having been selected to his fourth All-Star Game in July 2026 and maintaining a remarkable streak of consecutive games played. He is under contract with the Braves through at least the 2029 season, with a club option for 2030.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Drafted by Oakland Athletics
Matthew Kent Olson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round (47th overall) of the MLB draft.
MLB Debut with Oakland Athletics
Olson made his Major League Baseball debut with the Oakland Athletics.
Wins First Gold Glove Award
Olson earned his first career Gold Glove Award as a first baseman in the American League.
Wins Second Gold Glove Award
He received his second consecutive Gold Glove Award for his defensive play at first base.
First MLB All-Star Selection
Olson was selected to his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Traded to Atlanta Braves
Olson was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Atlanta Braves in a five-player deal.
Signs 8-Year, $168 Million Contract with Braves
The Atlanta Braves signed Olson to an eight-year, $168 million contract extension, the largest in team history at the time.
MLB Home Run and RBI Leader, NL Silver Slugger
Olson led MLB with 54 home runs and 139 RBIs, setting a Braves franchise record for the quickest 40-homer season and becoming the second Brave to hit 50 homers. He also earned his second All-Star selection and the NL Silver Slugger Award.
Consistent Performance with 29 Home Runs
Olson continued his consistent power hitting, batting .247 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 162 games.
Records 1,000th Career Hit
Olson achieved his 1,000th career hit in a game against the Minnesota Twins.
Third All-Star Selection and Third Gold Glove (NL)
He was named an All-Star for the third time and won his third Gold Glove Award, his first in the National League. He also hit 29 home runs for the season.
Receives Optimistic 2026 Season Projections
Fangraphs projected Matt Olson to hit 32 home runs and 95 RBIs for the 2026 season, highlighting his consistent performance.
Strong Start to 2026 Season Noted
Olson was recognized for his 'insane' start to the 2026 season, bucking a perceived trend of alternating strong and average years.
Selected to Fourth All-Star Game
Matt Olson was selected to represent the National League in his fourth career MLB All-Star Game.
Hits 29th Home Run of 2026 Season
Olson hit his 29th home run of the 2026 season, matching his totals from both 2024 and 2025.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Matthew Kent Olson, born on March 29, 1994, in Atlanta, Georgia, began his professional baseball journey after being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Athletics on September 12, 2016, and quickly established himself as a formidable power hitter and an exceptional defensive first baseman, earning two Gold Glove Awards in the American League in 2018 and 2019.
A significant turning point in Olson's career came on March 14, 2022, when he was traded from the Oakland Athletics to his hometown team, the Atlanta Braves. The very next day, the Braves secured Olson with an eight-year contract extension worth $168 million, running through the 2029 season with a $20 million club option for 2030. This move effectively replaced long-time Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman and solidified Olson's long-term future in Atlanta.
Olson's tenure with the Braves has been marked by consistent high performance. In 2023, he had a career-best season, leading Major League Baseball in both home runs with 54 and RBIs with 139, and earning the National League Silver Slugger Award for first basemen. He also received his second All-Star selection that year. His offensive prowess, combined with his reliable defense, has made him a cornerstone of the Braves' lineup.
Through 2024 and 2025, Olson continued to be a consistent force, hitting 29 home runs in each season and maintaining his impressive durability, appearing in all 162 games for the fourth consecutive season in 2025. In April 2025, he recorded his 1,000th career hit, and later that year, he earned his third career Gold Glove Award, his first in the National League, and his third All-Star selection.
As of August 2, 2026, Matt Olson remains a vital part of the Atlanta Braves. He was selected to his fourth All-Star Game in July 2026, demonstrating his continued elite status in the league. Early in the 2026 season, he was noted for bucking a historical trend of alternating strong and average seasons, starting the year with exceptional offensive numbers. By July 31, 2026, he had already hit 29 home runs, matching his totals from the previous two seasons. Olson also maintains one of the longest active consecutive games played streaks in MLB, highlighting his remarkable consistency and resilience.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Matthew Kent Olson made different choices?