Ranking MLB's True Franchise Players Entering 2024 Season | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
2023 Stats: 159 G, 735 PA, 41 HR, 73 SB, .337 AVG, .416 OBP, .596 SLG
2024 ZiPS WAR: 7.5
Ronald Acuña Jr. was on his way to winning the NL MVP when he tore his ACL in 2021, and it might as well have cost him two years. He just wasn't at full strength after returning in 2022.
Well, Acuña is clearly a believer in making up for lost time. And that he went 40-70 might only account for half the sheer impressiveness of his 2023 season. It's not to be overlooked that he struck out just four more times than he walked, resulting in a top-five ratio.
MLB @MLBRonald Acuña Jr. becoming the first member of the 40/70 club is the No. 2 Play of the Year! <a href="">
The one flaw in Acuña's profile these days is that he doesn't rate well as a defender, though Defensive Runs Saved rightfully gives him credit for his rocket arm. Yet I'd wager that him not being very rangy is a good thing. It was being overambitious that got him hurt in '21. If he's intentionally scaling it back to stay healthy, then so be it.
As the only player to ever record 160 homers and 180 steals through his age-25 season, Acuña is well on his way to being the best power-speed threat in MLB history. The only question is what his next feat will be. 40-80? 45-45? Heck, 50-50?
Go ahead. Take your pick.
