Braves country, if you’ve been snoozing through the early season waiting for a spark, it’s time to sit up—because Ronald Acuña Jr. is not just back, he’s blazing hotter than a Georgia summer afternoon.
The Braves were on the verge of giving Acuña a day off this weekend. And honestly, can you blame them? The man hadn’t played Major League ball in nearly a year—362 days, to be exact—after tearing his left ACL in late May of 2024. But the second he stepped back on that field, any talk of rest flew out the window like one of his trademark moonshots.
In his first two games back, he did what only the truly elite could do— he homered in each. Not just any homers either—Friday night, he crushed a 467-foot bomb, the longest and hardest-hit ball by a Braves player this year at 115.5 mph off the bat. On Saturday? Another blast, more “mortal” at 427 feet, but every bit as electric. With just two games in, he’s already reminded everyone why he’s the reigning NL MVP.
MVP Form, Right Out the Gate
Let’s not forget the context here. Acuña isn’t just back—he’s outperforming expectations in a way that almost feels unfair. His return comes after a second significant knee injury, and yet his timing, power, and presence on the field suggest he’s not just healed—he’s evolved.
Braves manager Brian Snitker described it best, “Swinging the bat the way he is, he’s not going to want a day.”
Teammate Matt Olson echoed what all fans are thinking: “Sometimes, you’re just born with it.” And let’s be honest—Acuña has “it” in buckets. That rare mix of charisma and talent that transforms games and stadium atmospheres. From the Statcast-busting homers to the right-field laser throws, Acuña doesn’t just play baseball. He energizes it.
Matt Olson Heating Up Again
Now, while Acuña’s comeback is stealing headlines, Matt Olson is quietly dialing back into 2023 mode. On Saturday, he launched a go-ahead homer, his 12th of the season and eighth in May alone. His current stats? A .243 average and .828 OPS through 51 games—almost identical to the numbers he posted in the early stages of his career-best campaign last year.
Olson’s bat is beginning to thump with the same authority we saw when he set franchise records with 54 homers and 139 RBIs. And though he admits it’s “never perfect,” seeing balls fly into gaps and over walls is a sign that this Braves lineup is starting to click where it matters.
Some Rough Edges, but a Strong Core
It’s not all roses just yet. The bottom of the Braves’ lineup continues to struggle, with names like Verdugo, Albies, Harris II, and Nick Allen all posting an OPS below .575 in May. That kind of cold stretch could cause concern if the top of the order wasn’t delivering with such an electric jolt.
Acuña’s presence alone reshapes the flow of every inning. Pitchers can’t relax. They can’t ease into games. And with Olson reestablishing his power stroke and Grant Holmes emerging as a steady arm—four starts of 7+ innings in his last five—the Braves are beginning to look like a team shaking off a spring nap and stretching into something formidable.
As Holmes said of Acuña’s Friday night blast, “I feel like that kind of got us going.” And if history is any indication, when Acuña gets the Braves going, there’s no telling how far this ride will go.
