Matt Olson's not even trying to hit home runs

Matt Olson has been on fire this season.

The Atlanta Braves first baseman is leading the MLB in home runs and RBI, with 53 and 132 respectively. Additionally, his .994 OPS is fifth-best in the league.

The most interesting thing about Olson this season? He is not even trying to hit home runs.

An article from Stephanie Apstein over at the Sports Illustrated mothership gives an in-depth look at Olson's process at the plate.

Olson was unhappy about the number of times he was being struck out and decided to make a change. That change, however, was not anything crazy.

“I was taking a lot of hard swings,” Olson said. “I was off-balance in the box a lot more than I should be. And I remember making a conscious effort to kind of dial that back a little bit and try to be more controlled. . . . Just dial the effort back a little bit. 

Even if it’s just put a ball in play that should be put in play, whether it’s hit 115 [mph] or 85. I think that thought process got me a little more accurate with the barrel, and I’m hitting more balls hard because of it.”

That barrel accuracy has also helped Olson diversify his homers -  10 of his 53 bombs, a career high of 18.9%, have been hit to the opposite field. His previous season high in that category was only five, with most years being four or less.

And the strikeouts have gotten significantly better, as well: After putting up 102 in the first 81 games of the season, he's struck out only 56 times in the last 70 games.  

A lot of hitters say when you're trying to hit a home run, you almost never will, and that has been true for Olson this season. Playing with the team he grew up cheering for has given Olson more of a desire than ever to be great, and not trying so hard has meant he's able to do it.