MLB: Decoding career stats of outfielder Ronlad Acuña Jr.
Ronald Acuña Jr. debuted with the Braves in 2018 after signing with the side as an international free agent in 2014. Known for his blend of power and speed, he earned National League Rookie of the Year honors. Acuña's elite play has made him a consistent All-Star, solidifying his place as a key player for Atlanta's future success. Here's more on his stellar career.
Acuña's injury news and update
Acuña Jr. was ruled out for the season in May after a torn ACL. Meanwhile, he recently provided an optimistic update regarding his knee injury, stating, "I feel great, like nothing happened," via MLB.com after visiting doctors in California. Despite his positive outlook, the Braves are proceeding cautiously to ensure he's fully recovered for the 2025 season.
Acuña's injury has a significant impact on the Braves
Atlanta are third in the National League East with a record of 86-71, one game behind the second-placed Mets, and seven games behind the division-leading Phillies, who have clinched a playoff spot. To make the postseason, Atlanta must finish strong and rely on a team ahead of them to lose, as they vie for the No. 2 Wild Card spot.
Acuña's impressive 2023 and slower 2024 start
In 2023, Acuña had a career year, hitting .337 with 41 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases across 159 games. He scored 149 runs in 2023 and also won the 2023 NL MVP Award. In 2024, however, his performance dipped, batting .250 with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs in 49 games until he was ruled out due to an injury.
Outfielder's record-setting rookie season with Atlanta
In 2018, Ronald Acuña hit .293 with 26 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases, earning him National League Rookie of the Year. According to Statmuse, he became the youngest player to hit a postseason grand slam against the LA Dodgers and his 25-homer, 15-steal season made him just the fourth player in MLB history to do so before turning 21.
Acuña's regular season dominance
Acuña has been consistent in the regular season, hitting .289 with 165 homers, 417 RBIs, and 196 stolen bases across 722 games. In 2019, he tallied 41 home runs, 101 RBIs, and led the league with 37 stolen bases. Additionally, Acuña's $100 million deal in 2019 with the Braves was the largest for any player with less than one year of major league service.
Postseason highlights
In 29 postseason games, Acuña Jr. hit .257 with 3 homers, 9 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases. His best showing came in 2019, batting .444 with 3 extra-base hits. That same year (2019 season), Acuña became the youngest player to join the 40-30 club, finishing with 37 stolen bases and leading the NL with 127 runs scored.
