If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Atlanta Braves of 2023, it’s to never lose interest in the game when they’re at bat since anyone in the lineup could hit a home run at any time.
The Braves saw two players hit at least 30 HR and three players eclipsed the 40+ HR mark in total last season. Let’s guess who Atlanta’s top five home run hitters in 2024 will be, given that all of those players are back for this season and the Braves have added a few new players to the lineup.
Forecasting the Atlanta Braves’ Top 5 home run scorers for 2024: 5. DH/OF Marcell Ozuna, the main DH option for Atlanta, had a fantastic comeback season a year ago, hitting 40 home runs to finish third for the Braves. Ozuna, who had one of his best single seasons in his MLB career, is probably going to be among the Braves’ leaders in 2024 and should reach at least thirty.
4. Ozzie, 2B Albies Albies blasted 33 home runs last year to rank No. 5 for the Braves, having one of his best seasons ever in Major League Baseball. Albies hits a career-high of around 35 in 2024, which is also a career-high, in this area.
3. 3B Austin Riley
Riley had 37 home runs the previous season, which put him in fourth place on the Braves. This year, I believe he surpasses that total to take third place. Riley will undoubtedly flirt with 40 this season after hitting in the 30s in each of the last three seasons. If not, don’t be shocked if that number is reached, if not just missed.
2. Ronald Acuña Jr., OF.
Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, was among the top players in baseball a year ago. He finished with a 40/40 season and had one of the best single-seasons in Braves history. After surpassing the 40 HR barrier twice in his MLB career with a 41 HR performance a year ago, Acuña is expected to approach that level again in 2024, with my prediction being that he hits around 45.
1. 1B Matt Olson
Olson, the only Braves player to hit 50 or more home runs in a season, led the team in scoring last year by a large margin and is expected to repeat the feat in 2024. Olson’s 2023 season was clearly the greatest of his MLB career thus far, leading the MLB with 54 HR and 139 RBI and the NL with a.604 SLG. The first baseman will probably flirt with, if not surpass, the 50 HR mark once again this year to lead the Braves in the long ball.