SEATTLE - You know you're doing something right when you're an Atlanta Braves player and your numbers start to be compared to those of franchise legend Hank Aaron.
Well, so far, Marcell Ozuna's season has been that way. The Dominican has connected 12 homers and contributed with 38 RBI in 34 games for the Braves this season, both lead the Majors.
Ozuna and Aaron are the only Braves players to ever hit 12-plus homers and drive in 38-plus runs through the team's first 34 games. Aaron did so in 1959, when he started the season with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. Ozuna added another multi-home run game on May 8 against the Red Sox to give the Braves their second straight win against Boston.
Ozuna's dominant display started early, hitting a three-run homer in the first inning which was followed by a solo home run in the third. The two dingers against the Red Sox took Ozuna to a total of 50 home runs since May 1 of 2023, tying him with Kyle Schwarber for the most in the Majors during that span.
Your new @MLB home run leader: Marcell Ozuna!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/XjTP7gEMiI
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 9, 2024
"Ozuna is one of the best hitters in the big leagues," said Red Sox manager Álex Cora. "Sometimes, you make mistakes, he hits it out of the ballpark. Sometimes, you make pitches, he hits it out of the ballpark."
The Dominican leads the league in HR and RBIs but also ranks high in other statistical departments. Only the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani has a better slugging percentage and OPS than Ozuna (.646/1.042).
On top of that, Ozuna is averaging the best at-bat/home run ratio than any other player this season connecting one every 10.58 at-bats, ahead of Mike Trout's 10.90.
“I’m just working hard. Always working on my technique and going to the cage. Quality over quantity.”@ashahahmadi catches up with MLB home run leader Marcell Ozuna after his two-homer night against the Red Sox ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/vG5MyM3RoC
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) May 9, 2024
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