Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Concerning Comments for Braves

Ronald Acuña Jr. is, without a doubt, one of Major League Baseball’s brightest stars. His blend of power and speed, highlighted by his historic 2023 campaign, showcased exactly why he is one of the most exciting players to watch.

In 2023, Acuña smashed 41 home runs and stole an astounding 73 bases. He became the first MLB player in history to reach the coveted 40-homer, 70-steal milestone. Putting up those insane numbers awarded him the National League MVP.

Acuña’s career has not been without its setbacks despite his incredible talent. A knee injury in 2021 robbed him of the chance to be part of the Atlanta Braves World Series win. It also hindered his performance throughout the 2022 season. Despite his efforts, Acuña’s cautious approach on the field and the basepaths was evident. He wasn’t the same electrifying player fans had grown accustomed to seeing.

Acuña reminded everyone he is one of the best in the game in 2023, reminding everyone hes among the best in the game. Fully healthy, he terrorized opposing pitchers and outfielders, prompting hopes that 2024 might see an even bigger leap—perhaps even the mythical 50-50 season (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases).

Unfortunately, another knee injury derailed his season, and the goal of reaching 50-50 faded away. While Shohei Ohtani ultimately reached that mark, there’s a lingering sense of “what if” for Acuña, who had the ability but was thwarted by injury.

Now, as the 2025 season looms, Acuña’s future remains uncertain. His recent comments at a press conference in late September have raised concerns about how he will approach the upcoming season.

Braves Director of Baseball Player Relations, Franco Garcia, helped interpret for Acuña as he answered questions about his outlook for 2025. The star player emphasized that he would focus primarily on his hitting and fielding but admitted that his ability to steal bases—once one of his greatest strengths—may be diminished.

“Focus on my hitting, fielding, and anything I can do to help the team win,” Acuña said, “I don’t know if I will be able to steal the 40 or 50 bags as easily.” This realization is a tough one to swallow for Braves fans. Acuña’s base stealing has always been a key element of his game, and it’s been a crucial asset for the Braves’ offensive strategy.

In 2024, without Acuña’s presence on the basepaths, Atlanta struggled to rack up stolen bases, and that deficiency was sorely felt. Hearing that their star player may need to dial back his aggressive base running in 2025 is a tough pill to swallow.

Still, Acuña’s health is the priority. As much as fans love seeing him sprint around the bases, the most important thing is keeping him in the lineup. If that means fewer stolen bases in exchange for more time on the field, it’s a trade-off that may be necessary.

However, it’s hard not to feel a bit of disappointment, knowing that Acuña may never reach the same stolen base heights he once did. As Braves fans, all we can do is remain hopeful the rest of his game gets back to full form.