Ronald Acuna, Jr of the Atlanta Braves put a capstone on a likely MVP season by being the fifth player in MLB history to record at least 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season. Entering Friday’s action Acuna had 39 home runs and 67 stolen bases. In the first inning of Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals, he hit home run number 40 off of left-hander Patrick Corbin. The solo shot gave him 101 RBI on the season. Later in the game, Acuna added his 34th double of 2023. Acuna was already the first player to smash 30 home runs and steal 60 stolen bases in the same season. Now he’s the first player to launch 40 home runs and swipe 60 or more bases in one season.
Acuna Joins Elite List
The only other members of the 40-40 club are MLB legends Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Alfonso Soriano. Acuna also has a batting average of .335. He came close to a 40-40 season in 2019 finishing 3 stolen bases short. He finished with 41 home runs and 37 stolen bases. The Braves are hoping that he will follow Canseco with an MVP award and a World Series appearance as Canseco did with Oakland in 1988. Acuna this season has set career highs in hits, runs, extra base hits, and RBI.
4x All Star
The Acuna signed with the Braves out of Venezuela in 2014. He made his Major League debut for them in 2018. He won the Rookie of the Year award that year hitting .293 with 26 home runs. The next year he earned his first All-Star selection hitting .280 with 41 home runs and 27 stolen bases. So far in his career, he has 160 home runs and 175 stolen bases while hitting .291.
Games Still Remain in 2023
Acuna has the opportunity to create the 40-70 club by stealing three more bases before the end of the season. There are eight games remaining in 2023 for him to make it happen. The Braves have a 14-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, have already clenched the NL East division, and currently have the best record in the entire National League, 3 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time of publication. The main question is whether or not the Braves allow him to play in those eight remaining games.
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Atlanta Braves
