Braves slugger named MLB's top 'dual-threat' first baseman over Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Braves slugger named MLB’s top ‘dual-threat’ first baseman over Vladimir Guerrero Jr. originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

As one of baseball’s most dangerous left-handed sluggers, Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson has finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice in his career.

He’s also a model of consistency and health, playing 162 games in five of the 10 seasons of his career with the Athletics and Braves. You’d have to go back to April of 2021 for the last time the 31-year-old was on the injured list.

Olson is a three-time Silver Slugger and led the Majors with 54 home runs and 139 RBIs in 2023, but he offers way more than possessing enough power to hit the ball out of the ballpark.

It’s one of the reasons Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer chose him over Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as MLB’s top “dual-threat” first baseman.

Olson chosen over Blue Jays superstar

As a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, Olson certainly has the edge over Guerrero on defense.

“It’s Olson’s range that sets him apart from other first sackers,” Rymer wrote. “He’s a good athlete among slow-moving hulks at the cold corner, particularly on plays to his left toward the foul line.”

Rymer also listed Michael Busch of the Chicago Cubs as an honorable mention for this honor, but Olson is the clear choice. The Braves will need another All-Star caliber season from the 31-year-old after the NL East club missed the postseason in 2025.

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Braves slugger named MLB’s top ‘dual-threat’ first baseman over Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

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