GDW Analysis:
ATLANTA: A change has been made for the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All Star game activities.
Atlanta Braves' 1B Matt Olson has been inserted into the group of participants Major League Baseball said in a statement Friday evening.
Olson takes the spot of teammate Ronald Acuna Jr. Acuna was the first to receive an invite, but has dropped out of the Derby after sustaining an injury earlier this week while the Braves were playing the Athletics in Sacramento.
Acuna has indicted he will remain in the All Star Game at Truist Park Tuesday. He was the top vote getter for the NL outfielders and will be in right field at his home stadium.
Olson has been hitting the ball well for the Braves. He went into a weekend series at St. Louis with 17, tops on the ball club.
Olson was added to the NL roster earlier in the week as a reserve infielder.
Olson is a native of Atlanta and well deserving of being in the All Star and Home Run Derby representing the Braves.
The Home Run Derby will take place Monday evening with Olson to battle Cal Raliegh of the Mariners, James Wood of the Nationals, Byron Buxton of the Twins, Oneil Cruz of the Pirates, Junior Caminero of the Rays, Brent Rooker of the Athletics and Jazz Chisholm Jr of the Yankees.
The matchups will be announced during the weekend, according to MLB.
Photo of Matt Olson scoring a run in a recent game for the Braves vs. the Athletics.
Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Braves.
