(Atlanta) Ronald Acuna Jr. not only is he on his way to join the select 40-40 group, but he also threatens to break the record that represents this combination of strength and speed.
Of the four players in baseball history to hit 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season, none have achieved the feat with more than 46 steals. Acuna, however, has maintained a pace of 41 home runs and 77 stolen bases this season.
The Atlanta Braves outfielder could become the first member of the 40-50, 40-60 and even 40-70 groups.
“It would mean a lot to me because not many players have achieved this feat,” said Acuna, who is originally from Venezuela. My goals remain the same, which is to stay as healthy as possible and help the team win. »
Acuna’s career-high 23 home runs and 43 stolen bases are big reasons why the Braves (61-31) have the best record in the Majors.
Even after losing two of their last three games to the Chicago White Sox, ending their 11-game winning streak, the Braves lead the Miami Marlins nine-and-a-half games for first place in the Nationals East Division, for another of Monday’s games. fair.
Acuna isn’t the only powerhouse on the Braves’ roster, which also includes Matt Olson. The latter leads the Nationals with 30 home runs and 77 RBIs.
Even Olson is impressed by Acuna’s dominance.
“He’s doing things I’ve never seen before,” Olson said. He has all the tools. He works well in his presentations, hits balls 500 feet from home plate, steals bases, clears opposing players and plays very well defensively. He does it all. We love having you in our training. »
Acuna has already become the first player in history to hit 20 home runs, steal 40 bases and drive in 50 runs before the All-Star break. The outfielder ranks second in the Nationals with a . 333 batting average and leads the Majors in runs scored and solid hits.
Perhaps most impressive is the discipline that Acuna has demonstrated at bat, even as a lead hitter. Acuna’s eliminations have decreased every month this season. He was struck out just twice and missed seven in 43 starts at base in July.
“I think he’s getting straight to the point and keeping it simple, keeping a clear game plan. He comes in and runs things, said Austin Riley, a Braves third baseman. I think we have to talk about the fact that he keeps things simple, especially in this sport, and that’s what he does. »
Riley has been playing with Acuna since A-level. He mentions that he always saw the talent and tools in his game. Riley says he sees something different this season as Acuna is determined to enjoy his health and is fully recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee suffered in 2021.
A healthy Acuna takes every opportunity to run. His 43 stolen bases tied him with the Oakland Athletics’ Esteury Ruiz for first in the Majors.
The Athletics’ José Canseco hit 42 home runs and stole 40 bases in 1988. San Francisco Giants’ Barry Bonds also had a 42-40 season in 1996. Alex Rodriguez was 42-46 with the Seattle Mariners in 1998 and Alfonso Soriano hit 46 long balls and stole 41 bases for the Washington Nationals in 2006.
Acuna came close to a 40-40 season in 2019, when he hit 41 home runs and stopped 37 stolen bases before being dropped from the lineup with a season-ending hip injury.
Acuna’s 2021 knee injury kept him out of the Braves’ World Series win. While his team is still in good shape for a long playoff run, Acuna expressed that he is more motivated by that goal than the opportunity to make history through his personal stats.
“I think there will always be those conversations,” he said. It’s just because of the data. It’s just not what I focus on. My goal is for the team to win and help the team to win. »
