When he returned last season after a torn ACL kept him out of more than 90 games in the major leagues, Ronald Acuña Jr. looks simply capable, not as superstar he was in the first four years of his career.
It’s only been a week, but Acuña looks like a star. He was a force on top Atlanta Braves‘ line-up in the game that started 6-1 until 2023. He brought the ball into play and hit for power. He was waiting to go out for a walk. He stole the base. He was sprinting around the base after teammates’ hits. He’s played well on the right flank, with two assists already. It’s clear he’s back to being the player he used to be, one who picked up pace for a 40-30 season before he picked up a knee injury.
New Acuña 25. No wonder he’s back in shape. But his 2022 profit represents enough of a setback that it causes some concern in the industry. He didn’t excel in anything last year. His defense is underrated. He led the National League in times of being caught stealing. He communicated at the same speed as he had in the past, but it was less powerful contact. Based on FanGraphs.comhis ground and fly rate both increased by more than 50%.
With enough exposure and enough patience, sustained strength and speed for Acuña to remain an overall above-average player in 2022. But his decline is not what the Braves envisioned. from their $100 million player and that forces them to chase the meet at the end of the season to secure the National League East title.
The Braves have consolidated their offense over the past two years, to the point where many in the sport believe they can compete in 2023 without the elite Acuña. While he was wounded, the third guard Austin Riley, now 26, emerged as another true superstar, and Atlanta quickly responded by extending him a contract worth more than twice as much as Acuña. central controller Michael Harris II. first sentinel Matt Olson and the catcher Sean Murphy also came from Oakland in the 21 months since Acuña tore his knee. Support is around.
But this year’s Grapefruit League match hinted that Acuña had regained the vibrancy his game lacked last year, and World Classic Baseball suggest further confirmation. Acuña also began telling reporters last month that he feels “100%” better than he did a year ago. He recently said that the same swings that last year produced out-of-the-box results are now generating off-base hits. Now, Braves has all the aforementioned contributors And one of the sport’s most talented players. The trio of Acuña, Olson, and Riley opened their roster as the rival of all baseball.
It starts with Acuña. Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters this week that the right puncher is in “a good position”.
Snitker said: “This kid just loves to curl his feet under his feet, I assure you. “Play the game the way he wants. I’m happy for him, because he can use all his tools and skills. You know, play the game the way he’s used to, that’s boring.”
In the beginning, it was natural for the players to recover from serious injuries again, a little less than themselves. However, perhaps Acuña is particularly unfit to play with less than 100% of his inherent fitness. Teammates describe his approach to hitting as more liberal than most, with more natural movement than most can sustain. He seems to have reverted to that style, throughout his game. If this continues, the Braves may never give up the lead they have achieved in NL East.
The Mets have top rotation talent and attacking depth. The Phillies has last year’s momentum and some stars. But neither of those teams can match the Braves’ blend of top-notch talent and depth. Two years ago they were good enough to win the World Series without him and as contenders last year, without Acuña at its peak. Now, it looks like they have an elite version of him again.
Pedro Moura is the national baseball writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the Dodgers for The Athletic, Angels and Dodgers for the Orange County Register and LA Times, and his alma mater, USC, for ESPN Los Angeles. He is the author of “How to Beat a Broken Game.” Follow him on Twitter at @pedromoura.
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