Pirates quickly learning the brutal Marcell Ozuna reality that the Braves already knew
Before Jurickson Profar’s strong push for the most hated player In franchise historical past, the most polarizing Atlanta Braves participant in current historical past was simply Marcell Ozuna. Not solely did he have a few of the greatest and absolute worst seasons in group historical past throughout his tenure, however he additionally proved to be an off-the-field legal responsibility after a number of arrests, including one for domestic violence. However, the Braves determined, for higher or worse, that they had been prepared to place up with the unhealthy too lengthy as Ozuna was serving to the group on the discipline.
However, as soon as Ozuna stopped hitting and being a productive teammate, the whole lot modified.
After making a good run at NL NVP in 2024, Ozuna’s bat cratered throughout his stroll yr. Many had been clamoring for Atlanta to commerce Ozuna at the deadline, though no deal ended up materializing. Somewhat surprisingly, given how lengthy they stood by him, the Braves made subsequent to no effort to re-sign Ozuna, and his offseason market was eerily quiet. now his new team, the Piratesis discovering out precisely what the Braves and their followers noticed coming from a mile away.
Braves’ offseason decision-making simply retains wanting higher and higher as Marcell Ozuna seems to be fully washed
During Ozuna’s remaining yr with the Braves, the widespread narrative from the group was that Ozuna’s struggles were due to a hip injury that Ozuna was playing through. It might have been true that Ozuna was coping with an damage, however how he performed with the Braves as soon as he was “healed” was an enormous clue that there was extra to it than Ozuna’s hip.
During the 2025 season, Ozuna ended up posting a .756 OPS, which isn’t precisely what you wish to see out of your designated “hitter.” Ozuna had a reasonably good begin to the season earlier than, in accordance with himself and the group, his hip damage brought on his manufacturing to drop off considerably in June and July. However, Ozuna solely managed a .195/.326/.429 line in August as effectively, when he was wholesome, and that was his THIRD HIGHEST OPS of the season at .755. Ozuna’s batting common improved in September, however his OPS continued to dip decrease.
Despite the crimson flags, the Pirates opted to gamble on Ozuna rebounding to have a minimum of yet one more good season in 2026. Unfortunately, his brutal showing during the opening weekend of the season proved to be an indication of issues to come back. Through 35 plate appearances for Pittsburgh, Ozuna has solely managed a .065/.171/.065 line with solely two singles to his identify.
Unfortunately, the Pirates are discovering that Ozuna, who was already a flawed hitter throughout his prime, can now not succeed in opposition to main league pitchers. Sure, the accidents he has handled over the years have nearly definitely taken a toll. However, the reality that he’s 35 years previous and had been exhibiting indicators of decline earlier than is a a lot easier clarification. It is a reality that the Braves already got here to grips with, and now the Pirates are having to expertise for themselves.
