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Braves 2021 Player Previews: The Big Bear — Marcell Ozuna

By Trent Dickeson

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Marcell Ozuna #20. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Marcell Ozuna #20. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Marcell Ozuna provided the big bat in the middle of the lineup that the Braves desperately needed. Hopefully, he can provide the same thump in 2021.

There was some concern that the Braves may let Marcell Ozuna get away.

Thankfully, that was put to rest as the Atlanta Braves signed Marcell Ozuna on February 5th and brought back “The Big Bear” to protect Freddie Freeman in the lineup.

In 2020, Marcell Ozuna batted .338/.431/.636 with 18 HRs, 38 Rs, 56 RBIs, and a 179(!) wrc+. That is an elite season.

Over a 162-game season, Ozuna would have been on pace for 48.6 HRs, 102.6 Rs, and 151.2 RBIs. This really illustrates how remarkable Ozuna was for Atlanta in 2020.

While there may be concerns over his .391 BABIP, the advanced metrics suggest his 2020 season was no fluke. Even if his BABIP does normalize and brings his average back down closer to his career average of .276, Ozuna still has the ability to cause a lot of damage in 2021.

Look at his Baseball Savant page:

  • Top 6% in Barrel %- 15.4%
  • Top 4% in Exit Velocity- 93.0
  • Top 3% in xBA– .315
  • Top 3% in Hard Hit %- 54.4%
  • Top 2% in xSLG– .638
  • Top 1% in wOBA– .437
  • Top 1% in xwOBA– .417
  • Top 1% in xwOBAcon- .509

Marcell Ozuna was one of the best hitters in all of baseball last season. Starting the game off with Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman, and Marcell Ozuna must have been a nightmare for opposing starting pitchers.

While the knock on Marcell Ozuna is his poor defense, thankfully he makes up for it with his stellar play at the plate. Plus, if Cristian Pache is as elite defensively as most scouts have said he will be, then the Braves can hopefully hide Marcell Ozuna in left field.

The Braves signed Marcell Ozuna to a four-year deal with the hopes of the DH returning in 2022. Even if he is below average defensively in 2021, he can make up for it with another elite season at the plate.

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