VOD Not Available
This video is not available.
Despite a monster season by Betts, who has set the world on fire for the Dodgers, it’s Acuña’s time.
September 28, 2023Ever since Ronald Acuña Jr. was a top prospect in the Atlanta Braves system, there’s always been a belief that he could be one of the most dynamic players in the game. Not only that, but a player who could be a force and lead a franchise to the ultimate goal of winning the World Series. Acuña has lived up to that hype and those expectations, but this season, he’s taken his game to another level.
It would be easy to say Acuña’s offensive explosion is a given considering that he’s a part of the best lineup in baseball. But doing that would minimize just how spectacular and historic his season has been.
There are many players who can carry their team for a few weeks or even a month, but the Braves’ right fielder has been extremely productive and extremely consistent. Acuña hasn’t had a cold stretch this season, with an OPS above .900 every month including a season-high 1.105 OPS in the month of September. In a time where many players are out of gas, Acuña has gotten better as the season has gone on.
Last season, in his return from the torn ACL that ended his 2021 season, it was clear that Acuña was still working through some discomfort in the surgically-repaired knee. But this season, he’s shown known no ill-effects from the surgery. Not only that, but he’s proven to be more durable than ever, playing in 155 of the Braves’ 158 games. He’d be only one of a handful of players to play in 159+ games this season.
It’s clear that the Braves’ superstar is the most dynamic player in the game. The unique mix of power and speed puts him in a conversation on his own. He became the fifth player in MLB history to have 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in a season joining Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano. Not to mention he’s the first player to ever go 40/60 and 40/70.
He combines the ability to hit like a slugger with the ability to steal bases in a way the game hasn’t seen in over a decade. While some see the stolen base numbers as less impressive considering runner-friendly rule changes this season, it overlooks just how special he is on the bases. When hitters can hit for big power, you usually see the steals go down. For Acuña, it offers him another way to take over the game.
Not to mention that teams know he’s going to try to swipe the base. They just can’t do anything to stop him, and that itself is true dominance.
Aaron Judge took home the American League MVP in 2022 after not only a historic season, but he was also the best player on the team that was best in the league the majority of the season. When you consider that the Braves have led the NL East handily since the beginning of the season and Acuña’s performance has been the driving force behind their season, it does offer a different perspective into how voters may think.
It’s been an amazing battle between Mookie Betts and Acuña to determine who would be this year’s NL MVP. And each has not only a case to win the award, but is also looking for the bigger prize and win the World Series. But despite a monster season by Betts, who has set the world on fire for the Dodgers, it’s Acuña’s time. He has the résumé, he has the historic season, and soon he’ll have the hardware to show he is the NL’s best.