Since his debut in 2018, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been one of baseball’s most exciting players. His power-speed combo has made him one of the sport’s best players. In 2019, Acuña fell just short of the elusive 40/40 club. In 156 games, he tallied 41 home runs and 37 stolen bases, which led the National League.
He was on an MVP trajectory in 2021. In 82 games that season, Acuña had a .990 OPS with 24 home runs and 17 stolen bases. Unfortunately, everything changed on July 10 when he tore his ACL attempting to make a leaping catch at the wall down in Miami. During his first three and a half seasons, Acuña was on the fast track to the Hall of Fame. His injury not only slowed that down, but it also raised questions about whether he’d ever be the same again.
The Braves eventually won the World Series, but Acuña was sidelined and could only celebrate from the dugout. Still, though, he received a World Series ring on Opening Day in 2022. He would return to action on April 28 against the Chicago Cubs. However, it was clear that Acuña wasn’t the same player. In 119 games, he only hit 15 home runs, and his OPS dropped to .764—the worst mark of his career. It seemed he would never be the same again, but Acuña quieted the doubters with one of the greatest individual seasons in MLB history.
Acuña Jr. Made History in 2023
Acuña didn’t just make history; the Braves did, too. In 2023, Atlanta finished with the best record in MLB (104-58). That year, they tied the MLB record for home runs in a season (307). Three players, including Acuña (41), hit at least 40 home runs that season. In 2023, MLB also made a slew of rule changes, including making the bases 18 inches. The extra three inches, along with the new pickoff rule, were meant to influence more action on the base paths.
Acuña took full advantage by stealing 73 bases that season. In the process, he became the first, and only, player to hit at least 40 home runs and steal at least 70 bases. Along the way, he also became the first and only player to hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 60 bases.
If there were any doubts that Acuña would ever be the same again, he quieted them in a big way. His historic season earned him the NL MVP unanimously, despite Mookie Betts‘s effort to steal the award. Although Atlanta fell short in the playoffs, that doesn’t take away from what Acuña accomplished. This season alone elevated his Hall of Fame trajectory.
Major Setback for a Major Comeback
It happened again.
After a slow start to the 2024 season, many fans wondered when Acuña would turn it around. It took until Apr. 17 to hit his first home run. By then, Acuña had a .797 OPS and a .294 batting average despite a .404 BABIP. By the end of May, his numbers dropped even further to a .716 OPS and .326 BABIP. Before he could get hot, Acuña tore his ACL again on May 26 in Pittsburgh.
Without him, the Braves won only 89 games, but Acuña wasn’t the only major injury in a forgettable season. With one ACL rehab behind him, he was better prepared to make a better comeback the second time around. In 2022, it only took Acuña 292 days to return from his first ACL tear in 2021. He rushed himself back, and his poor 2022 season reflected it.
This time around, it took him nearly a full calendar year to return in 2025. He returned with a bang, hitting a home run on the first pitch he saw. It wasn’t a fluke. In 95 games, Acuña posted a 161 OPS+, second only to his illustrious 2023 season. He also tallied 21 home runs and 42 RBIs. However, he stole only 9 bases in 10 attempts as he eased back from a second ACL injury.
Acuña knew what to expect the second time around. Although rehab is never easy, it’s good to learn from your mistakes the first time around. Both Acuña and the Braves wanted to take things slow, and it worked out well in the end.
Acuña’s Milestone 2026 Season
By the numbers, Acuña is having a down season. As of Sept. 11, he’s already had the same number of plate appearances as last season, but the numbers are much worse. His .780 OPS is the worst mark from a season not shortened by injury. That’s not to say he’s avoided the injury bug. Acuña has gone on the IL twice this season with hamstring injuries. His exit velocity of 90.2 MPH is also the lowest of his career.
While the numbers say Acuña hasn’t had a great season, that hasn’t stopped him from hitting huge milestones.
This season, Acuña has surpassed 500 career RBIs, 200 career HRs and 1,000 career hits. Unfortunately, he’s already 28 and has lost parts of multiple seasons to injury. It’s unclear how high these numbers can go, but Acuña is one of baseball’s most talented players. At this point, an MVP, Rookie of the Year and 3 Silver Slugger Awards should put him in the Hall of Fame conversation.
Right now, counting stats could be the deciding factor in Acuña one day getting into Cooperstown. He’s had one of the biggest “what-ifs” careers in MLB history, given how many games he’s missed. If Acuña can stay healthy and rack up the counting stats, there’s a good chance he could be a Hall of Famer when it’s all said and done.
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