The Atlanta Braves finished fourth in the NL East in 2025, ending the season 10 games below .500 with a 76–86 record. It marked a disappointing step back for a team that consistently contended in recent years, raising questions about roster construction and future direction heading into the offseason.

As the Braves look to bounce back quickly in 2026, one constant they will not have to worry about is first baseman Matt Olson. Over his four seasons in Atlanta, Olson has been remarkably durable. He has never missed a regular-season game for the franchise during his tenure and appeared in all 162 contests again this year, even while managing a nagging toe injury.

His production remained steady, especially after the All-Star break, where he finished strong with a .287 batting average, .372 on-base percentage, .877 OPS, 12 home runs and 34 RBIs.

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28)
However, the Braves recognized Olson on Thursday for his efforts on the field, not in the batter’s box. Atlanta announced on X that Olson had been awarded the Fielding Bible Award for his defensive excellence at first base. “Congratulations to Matt Olson for being named a Fielding Bible Award winner!” the Braves posted.

The honor is presented annually by Sports Info Solutions and is awarded to just one player at each position in the major leagues, making it a significant achievement for Olson.

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Statcast’s Baseball Savant confirms that Matt Olson’s defensive award is well deserved, offering data that goes beyond the eye test. Olson posted a Fielding Run Value (FRV) of eight and an Outs Above Average (OAA) of nine, both standout metrics for a first baseman.

Fielding Run Value measures how many runs a player saves through his defensive actions. Olson’s score of eight indicates he prevented eight runs over the course of the season thanks to his positioning, reactions and decision-making. Outs Above Average, meanwhile, tracks how often a player makes plays that others at his position typically do not. Olson’s total of nine means he recorded nine more outs than the average first baseman, showcasing his range and consistency.

Olson has now reached 10 years of service time, and he continues to build his personal accolades as a first baseman. He is also a two-time Gold Glove winner.