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Matt Olson projected to lead American League in homers in 2021

By David Hill

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 03: Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics bats during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field on March 3, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 03: Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics bats during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field on March 3, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images) /
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Matt Olson has been an integral part of the Oakland A’s offense since he arrived in the majors to stay in 2017. He has been a feared power hitter in that time, belting 103 homers as he established himself as one of the better players in the A’s lineup. Yet, as productive as the A’s first baseman has been, the team is still waiting for that breakout season.

It may come in 2021. According to MLB.com, Olson is projected to be one of the league leaders in home runs this year.

Matt Olson projected to tie for AL home run title

That is a truly impressive group that Olson is projected to be a part of. Not only would he be tied for third in homers in the majors, but his 39 home runs would tie him for the AL lead with Mike Trout. The A’s would certainly take that production.

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It is not that far fetched to think that Olson can one day be a league leader in home runs. He has led the team in each of the past two seasons, finished second on the A’s in 2018, and was fourth on the team in home runs in 2017 despite having just 2016 plate appearances that year. A home run title could easily be forthcoming.

Based on his spring training, that projection could become a reality. Olson has hit five home runs in 33 plate appearances heading into Sunday as he looks to put a disappointing 2020 campaign behind him. Spring training stats may not matter, but it is certainly better to head into the regular season with that type of momentum.

Oakland will need Olson to be that player during the regular season. His powerful bat will be even more important given the questions in their lineup and their quest to repeat as AL West champions. If Olson can live up to projections this season, that will go a long way to making that quest a reality.

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Matt Olson is projected to tie for the AL lead in home runs for 2021. The Oakland A’s certainly hope he can do just that.