Marcell Ozuna has had quite a journey this season, emerging as the sole representative for the Atlanta Braves in the race for the 2024 Silver Slugger Awards. Now, Braves fans are accustomed to seeing their team’s hitters populate the list of finalists, year in and year out, and for good reason.
Last season alone, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Ronald Acuña Jr. each brought home a Silver Slugger award, adding to the Braves’ legacy as an offensive powerhouse. But this year, it’s just Ozuna – and his journey to this recognition is one worth highlighting.
Ozuna’s 2024 season was nothing short of impressive. He batted .302, posted an OPS of .925, smashed 39 home runs, and collected 104 RBIs. He has proved himself as a powerhouse at the designated hitter (DH) position. And let’s not forget his on-base percentage of .378, significantly boosted by a career-high 74 walks. With 70 extra-base hits and a career-best 96 runs scored, he brought undeniable value to the Braves’ lineup. He earned his spot among the finalists.
Ozuna is no stranger to Silver Slugger honors; he’s won the award twice before – once in 2017 with the Miami Marlins and again in 2020 with the Braves. Both times he won, he was playing in the outfield. Thanks to the National League adopting the DH role, Ozuna’s switch to a more specialized hitting position opened up new doors. As the Braves’ designated hitter, he suited up for all 162 games this season, keeping his presence in the lineup consistent and his impact palpable.
Yet, while Ozuna has shown he’s worthy of the award, winning might be a long shot. The other finalist in the National League DH category is none other than Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani’s season has been groundbreaking, with the phenom making history as the first player to achieve both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Ohtani is also the front-runner for the NL MVP award, making it tough for any competitor – even a hitter as solid as Marcell Ozuna – to outshine him.
In fact, MLB’s own promotional graphic for the Silver Slugger Award finalists prominently featured Ohtani, which may as well be an unofficial hint at who they’re backing. But despite the odds, Ozuna’s season should be remembered as one of his best. Just one home run shy of matching his career high, he achieved his highest batting average since 2017 and a career-best OPS if we exclude the shortened 2020 season.
With other Braves hitters sidelined by injuries or subpar seasons, Marcell Ozuna took the reins, keeping the Braves’ offensive hopes alive even if his name is the only one flying their banner in the Silver Slugger competition this year.
While it may be unusual to see a single Braves player on this list, Ozuna’s performance speaks for itself. He’s reminded fans and the league of the talent he brings to the plate. And with Braves sluggers ready to rebound, there’s no doubt the team will come roaring back next season with more contenders for this coveted award.
