Ascending to the peak of Major League Baseball, Ronald Acuña Jr. has confirmed his status as a towering figure for the Braves, earning the coveted slot on MLB Network’s “Top 100 Baseball Players for 2024” list.
In 2023, he led the Atlanta Braves with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases, paving the way for a potentially historic 2024 season.
Here are the things that could boost Acuña, Jr.’s success in the 2024 season
In 2023, Acuña, Jr.’s excellent batting performance earned him the National League Most Valuable Player Award. His record-breaking 40/70 season, which included 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases, cemented his status as one of the league’s most spectacular performers.
Ronald Acuña, Jr. is Set for a Groundbreaking Season
Acuña was unlucky in 2023
However, a closer examination of his performance shows a fascinating twist. Despite impressive figures, Acuña Jr. fell short in his wOBA (Weighted On-Base Average), a crucial stat that assesses a player’s offensive impact per plate appearance. His actual wOBA was.428, but his projected wOBA, based on contact quality, was.460. This 32-point discrepancy shows that he may have underperformed, refuting the premise that his success was solely due to good fortune.
The Speed Factor: Base Stealing
The most outstanding feature of Acuña, Jr.’s play was his base-stealing abilities. With 73 stolen bases, he led the sport. However, his success rate was only 84%, falling short of his competitors Corbin Carroll and CJ Abrams, both of whom had success rates of 92%. This shows that Acuña Jr.’s base-stealing method could be improved. Trading a couple bases taken for fewer outs allowed might considerably increase his worth to the Braves.
The Deal: Current Contract Overview
Acuña, Jr. is currently five years into his contract with the Braves. Given the team’s philosophy of extending players early or releasing them in free agency, a new deal is improbable. Given Acuña, Jr.’s great talent and potential, the Braves may want to reassess their position.
Braves Lineup: Expected Boost in 2024 plus Increased Competition in the NL
The Braves’ lineup is predicted to improve dramatically in 2024, potentially enhancing Acuña Jr.’s performance. With a stronger lineup, Acuña, Jr. can score more runs and contribute to the team’s success. This could lead to even more amazing numbers for the reigning MVP.
