The Braves suffered a scare in the second half of Monday’s doubleheader against the Mets when Ronald Acuña was struck in the shoulder with a fastball, forcing him to leave the game. Thankfully, X-Rays were negative, and the leader in the clubhouse for the 2023 NL MVP award was back in the lineup on Tuesday against the Marlins. The incident looked painful, but if Acuña was still feeling a little sore, he didn’t show it in Miami.
On the third pitch of the game from the reigning NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, Acuña laced a double. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Acuña has been absolutely absurd in the first inning this season. His hit last night raised his average leading off the game to .593!
In 30 games this season, Ronald Acuna Jr is 16-for-27 (.593) with six doubles and one homer when leading off the game this season following that leadoff double. #Braves
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) May 2, 2023
I don’t think I have to go into how ridiculous that is. The Braves have been spectacular at jumping out to early leads this season, and a primary reason for that is Acuña, who just doesn’t look like he can be stopped.
Beyond his first inning success, Acuña’s average is .362 on the year. He’s blasted five homers and has 14 steals. No, that’s not a typo. He is currently on pace to steal 75 bases.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is the most exciting player in baseball right now. He affects the game in so many ways, and it seems as if he’s does something jaw-dropping every single night. I’m not sure how long he can stay this hot, but I think we all underestimated just how different he would look this year compared to last season.
—
Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.