American · Fresno, USA · Born 29 March 1994Matt Olson is a slugging first baseman known for elite power and Gold Glove defense with Oakland and Atlanta.
Matthew Kent Olson was born on March 29, 1994, in Atlanta, Georgia, and starred at Parkview High School in nearby Lilburn, leading the school to back-to-back state championships in 2011 and 2012 while hitting .431 with 45 home runs across his high school career. The Oakland Athletics drafted him in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Olson debuted with Oakland in 2016 and developed into one of the most consistent power-hitting first basemen in the game, combining left-handed pop with Gold Glove-caliber defense, winning the award in both 2018 and 2019. After six seasons with the Athletics, he was traded to his hometown Atlanta Braves before the 2022 season and signed a lucrative eight-year contract extension. Olson led the National League in both home runs and RBIs in 2023, delivering one of the finest offensive seasons of his career for his hometown team, and has continued to be a central figure in Atlanta's lineup, earning three All-Star selections and a third Gold Glove in 2025. Olson has fulfilled a childhood dream by starring for the Braves in his home city, attending his first All-Star Game as a six-year-old fan at Atlanta's Turner Field in 2000 before representing the National League there himself in 2025, a full-circle moment for a player who grew up in the Braves' shadow.
Braves power-hitting first baseman, 2023 NL home run and RBI leader
How They Played
Left-handed power hitter with excellent defensive skills at first base
Lasting Impact
Consistent power threat who emerged as one of MLB's premier first basemen
Career Honours
- 3x All-Star
- 3x Gold Glove
- Silver Slugger (2023)
- NL home run/RBI leader (2023)
| Team | Period | Games | Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | 2022–2024 | — | #28 |
| Oakland Athletics | 2016–2021 | 556 | #28 |
American Athletes