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Matt Olson 2021 Outlook: One-Dimensional Power With An Inflated Price Tag
4 years agoOakland A's first baseman Matt Olson is a power-only fantasy option, and nothing better exemplifies what he brings to the table than his 2020 campaign. He hit .195/.310/.424 with 14 long balls over 245 PAs, providing plenty of pop while torpedoing your roster's batting average. Both trends are primed to continue. His 96.7 mph average airborne exit velocity and 12.8% rate of Brls/BBE both ranked well above-average, and he posted even better numbers in 2019 (97.2 mph, 14.5% Brls/BBE). Olson is also a lock to post an FB% above 40 (44.3% last year). Unfortunately, Olson's fly ball approach contributes to a low BABIP (.227 last year, .277 career), an issue amplified by the fact that every grounder he hits is gobbled up by a shift. His career-worst 31.4 K% and 13.5 SwStr% don't help his batting average either. Olson is due for somewhat of a batting average increase as his xBA was .224 last year, but you still have to consider him a liability in that area. These guys are definitely useful in fantasy, but there's no reason to sign Olson at his current ADP of 88.82 when virtually identical profiles like Rhys Hoskins and Joey Gallo are available outside the top 150.
