The Braves will have MVP candidates every single year. Michael Harris was the club’s best player last season and would’ve made legitimate noise in the NL MVP race if he had played the entire season. Austin Riley has turned himself into one of the deadliest hitters in baseball, which will always make him a threat. But Ronald Acuña Jr. is as talented as any in the MLB and will always be in the conversation for the best player in baseball.
According to MGM odds via MLB Network, Acuña has the fourth-best shot at taking home the 2023 NL MVP at +1200, behind Juan Soto (+550), Mookie Betts (+900), Fernando Tatis (+1000), and Paul Goldschmidt (+1000).
Who are your early picks for MVP heading into next season? pic.twitter.com/FYA8YR97qt
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 31, 2023
Everyone seems to believe Acuña will be back to 100% in 2023.
Acuña says he’s feeling like his MVP self again, members of the Braves organization expect great things, and MLB.com has predicted he’ll take home the MVP award.
In 2019, Ronald Acuña flirted with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bags with a .281/.376/.550 slash line. More recently, his 2021 campaign was on pace to be his best season yet. In about half a season, Acuña posted a .990 OPS, 52 RBIs, 24 home runs, and over 4 WAR. He was well on his way to running away with the NL MVP.
His performance down south in the Venezuela Winter League forecasts a similar campaign in 2023. In 10 games, he hit .441 with a 1.160 OPS. The sample size isn’t large and the talent in these leagues doesn’t measure up to the MLB, but the eye test gives me confidence. Chase’s stat predictions won’t win Ronald Acuña the MVP, but the superstar outfielder could very easily eclipse these numbers:
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 2023 Stat Predictions: .280/.387/.520/, .907 OPS, 39 home runs, 90 RBIs, 35 SBs, 5.9 fWAR
—
Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.