Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his 40th home run of the season in Friday’s 9-6 Braves over the Nationals, putting the star outfielder into some elite company in MLB history. Acuna became just the fifth player — after Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Alfonso Soriano — to post a season of at least 40 homers and at least 40 stolen bases. “At least” is a notable qualifier here, as Acuna also has an incredible 68 steals this year, the most of any player in the 40-40 club. (Rodriguez previously held that mark with his 46-steal season in 1998, to go along with his 42 homers.) As such, Acuna is the only member of the 40-50 club, the 40-60 club, and maybe the 40-70 club if he can manage two more swipes over the Braves’ final eight games of the regular season.
You need to go pretty deep into the record books to find a similarly productive blend of both hitting and basestealing prowess in a single season. Among all players in history with a season of at least 68 steals, Acuna’s 170 wRC+ is topped only by Ty Cobb (four times, the last in the 1916 season) and John McGraw (a 178 wRC+ in 1899). In modern times, Acuna is only the fifth player of the 21st century to hit the 68-steal threshold, with Jose Reyes’ 78 steals in 2007 sitting as the highest mark of any player in the 2000s.
Here’s the latest from Atlanta…
- Charlie Morton started yesterday’s game but pitched only one inning due to a sprain in his right index finger. The veteran righty will get an MRI today to further access the injury, though initial x-rays Friday were negative. The discomfort was enough that Morton was taken out of the game for at least precautionary reasons, as the Braves obviously don’t want to take any risks with a player’s health this close to the playoffs. “It’s literally, like, such a small piece of my body, and it could have a large impact on how I perform and if I can go, at least to a degree that I’m effective…I’m hopeful that in four or five days, I’ll feel good,” Morton told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Justin Toscano and other reporters. Unless the MRI reveals something serious, Morton isn’t likely to be placed on the 15-day injured list, as that would make him ineligible for the start of the Braves’ NLDS matchup. It remains to be seen how serious Morton’s finger sprain is, but it isn’t ideal for the rotation that Morton is hurting and Max Fried (also sidelined with what seems to be a relatively minor blister problem) was just placed on the 15-day IL yesterday, though the timing allows for Fried to return in time for the start of Atlanta’s first playoff series. Morton is projected to line up as the Braves’ third starter in the postseason, behind Spencer Strider and Fried.
- Marcell Ozuna’s terrible start to the season, his down numbers in 2021-22, and his history of off-the-field issues led to speculation that Atlanta was considering outright releasing the veteran and eating the final year-plus of his four-year, $65MM contract. However, the team publicly expressed its confidence in Ozuna in late April, and that confidence also extended behind the scenes, as The Athletic’s David O’Brien (X link) writes that the Braves “weren’t close to cutting him” and “absolutely were not discussing” the possibility. It proved to be a wise decision, as Ozuna has hit .293/.360/.579 with 34 homers over 494 plate appearances since May 1. Ozuna’s 132 wRC+ is the third-highest total of his 11 Major League seasons, indicating that he has plenty left in the tank as he approaches his 33rd birthday in November. Ozuna is set to earn $18MM in 2024, and the Braves hold a $16MM club option ($1MM buyout) on his services for the 2025 campaign.
Acuna has done everything he can and his rWAR is still fractionally behind the deserved league MVP.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Braves pick up Ozuna’s option for 2025.
I think yes if he repeats this kind of year next year. It’s a tough call, though. They seem to like him a lot so maybe it isn’t that tough.
I think Rosie gets picked up in 24. In 25 Ozuna could be a slam dunk yes–but slugbear may push him. We will see in 24.
It is a 16 million dollar option or a 1 million dollar buy out. I think a lot is going determine with that how Atlanta does in the post season. If Atlanta gets a pennant than people will most likely grade the Braves offense as amazing. If something happens and Atlanta is knocked out early rounds than there will be talk about changing the Braves line up and maybe using the DH Spot as rotating guys in and out of it.
AA knows Ozuna runs hot and cold. Picking up his option is a gamble. I say he quits Marcel while he’s ahead……wisely. Just don’t turn around and sign someone who is an equal risk.
Yeah, I think Ozuna will need to have as good of a ’24 for that option to be picked up. Why? AA signed d’Arnaud, in part, with the intention of getting him more ABs as a DH while being a B-catcher, presumably catching less to Murphy. The 50/50 split recently has affect Murphy’s offensive output, even though he’s still adjusting while staying healthy ahead of the playoffs. Bringing Ozuna back in ’25 will mean less ABs for either Murphy or d’Arnaud (whomever is not C that day). d’Arnaud is not nearly as good defensively, especially 2 seasons from now (if they also pick-up d’Arnaud’s affordable ’25 option). Point is: Ozuna will really need to perform at a higher level again in ’24 to make picking up that option even worth the headache of not having enough ABs for d’Arnaud/Murphy.
The craziest part about Acuna’s rise is how much he cut down on striking out. For the first time in his career, he is a superstar.
Braves need to sell high on Ozuna. The Braves need pitching badly.
Even with his performance this year, you’re selling very low with Ozuna. He’s your problem. Fantastic screen name for this discussion.
Nah ozuna built a ton of value with his season. Not like the guy was a 110 wrc+. His batting line is top notch. Would we get a massive return for him? No. But you could easily move that contract now. Also who knows maybe Braves have a DH type player they prefer to ozuna without as much risk or bad pr.
Acuna has been a “superstar” since day 1. ROY, top 12 mvp voting twice, top 5 mvp voting once, the clear cut front runner for MVP in 2021 before the injury and flirted with 40/40 in 2019. His career K rate is right in line with Trout, Harper and about 6 points less than Judge and that includes a 28% k rate for Judge last year. By your logic Judge was not a “superstar” last year. Would be easier just to admit you’ve been wrong about Acuna (and everything else) rather than make yourself look even more foolish.
He was a “superstar” based off the reduced standards of what makes a superstar in today’s game. No one considered striking out 150x-200x per season to be good until it became a norm and then accepted. His production this year is at a superstar level at any era. He is among the best players in the game today, no question. I can definitely admit I wasn’t expecting such a huge leap suddenly. So yes, I was wrong to that extent.
Would you still trade him?
No, I would not. I honestly didn’t even pay attention to my username until people starting bringing it up. Will probably change it soon. Who cares honestly!
Braves have pitching. They need that pitching to be healthy. Rumblings say Fried has been outspoken on going to the west coast when his contract is up. May be a thought to move him & be able to get something in return. Dodgers have a great farm as do the Orioles. Both teams that could really use him & would be willing to pay a high price.
With all the extensions given out I have a feeling he was offered one but declined believing he would be able to head home to Dodgers/Angels/Padres when his contract was up.
Braves have major money coming off the books so they have the ability to sign a guy to replace him although probably not at his level of production
The Braves pitching is shady at best, including the bullpen. Fried has been good with the limited starts he has had, but Strider and Morton have been inconsistent all year. I still believe the Braves have the best 1-2-3 in baseball; however, with all these injuries, I kinda having doubts if this team will make it out alive after the DS. Watching the NHL this past season, ironically watching the Bruins dominant in the regular season and collapsing in the playoffs may have been a foreshadowing of the Braves season for me. Who knew!
I do want to make it clear though. I still believe the Braves are better than the Phillies and the Dodgers.
I would think that cutting down on strike outs was added with the fact of the deep line up. Acuna is able to work the count more and take a walk if needed as he has 2-3 guys behind him that can really kill the ball. When a line up is thin a lot of players feel like they have to do more and go out of the strike zone to try and do more.
Possible. I personally think it has more to do with his increased maturity and motivation to be better. His ACL injury changed him, not just as a baseball player, but as a person.
I still don’t think you get the ignorance of that username when you decided on it. Your idea was to trade Ronald during or after a season in which he was basically playing on one leg when his value was as low as it could possibly be and has ever been since his debut. Makes zero sense and is the kind of thing that would get a GM fired. Would honestly make more sense if you said trade him now because you could gut a team for him although I still wouldn’t agree. And no, you didn’t “expect this” but 95% of us knew he’d have an MVP caliber year this year including most analysts and Vegas odds makers. He was the MVP front runner before the injury in 2021 (and a “superstar”) so when healthy again he would be expected to be that same guy again.
MVP voting is subjective and not a statistical formula. Mookie’s defense and versatility make him one of the most valuable players. MVP awards frequently recognize record-breaking seasons and unique achievements, like triple crown. Ronald ‘s season will be recognized with the MVP by those who vote
Except Ohtani wins in AL and he doesn’t play the field.. Acuna is well above average defensively too.. he’s ahead of Betts by a lot in multiple offensive categories as well..
Craziest part is Matt Olson is having one of the best national league seasons that has been had in years with home runs: runs batted in etc and no talk of him. .270 batting 53 home runs and over 130 runs batted in; most years that would get him lots of talk of mvp
Freddie has been crazy good as well.
Exactly, Freddie would be batting title winner barring Arraez, while FF will get the doubles record and career-high in SB (almost 2x more than Mookie, leadoff hitter).
Freddie is the first 1st-baseman in history to get 200 hits and have a 20/20 season.
> while FF will get the doubles record
Huh? He has 56 Doubles. The record is 67. The Dodgers have 9 games left. You think he’s going to hit 12 doubles in 9 games?
I believe the 30 homer and 60 doubles record—maybe?
As of this morning and things change all the time Ron Acuna Jr is actually batting higher than Freeman. Acuna is at .337 average and Freeman is .334 average.
I was mistaken, he won’t get the double/season record, but he’ll be the first one at 60 doubles/season since ’36, for whatever that’s worth. Yeah, makes that less impressive, though still impressive.
Oh okay, thanks for clarifying. I wanted to make sure I understood everything. He needs 3 doubles for 60. It’ll be close.
Overshadowed by Acuna. What’s impressive is that Olson is having a career high in BB% and has 122 RS.
Acuna may be the first player to hit the 40-40 mark without cheating.
We know for sure three of the others cheated to get there.
This is an amazing achievement that, at best, one other person in the history of baseball was able to do legitimately.
Big congrats to Acuna!
*May – Never heard anything abou Soriano
– Wait until afterwards to hear rumors (remember Ryan Braun…)
The Braves secret weapon has been promoted to AAA and will debut with Gwinnett tonight and if he does well he could be promoted to the Braves within the next week and make the postseason roster. He could be the 1st player to make the majors from the 2023 draft class and I’m talking about 1st round pick Hurston Waldrep.
latest member of the “name looks like typo” club
Nolan Schanuel from the Angels says hello.
Tylor Megill sends his regards.
The real reason Acuña is lower than Mookie value wise has to do with how base running is calculated.
Ronnie hitting a single, stealing second, then scoring on a double is less valuable than Ronnie hitting a single, then scoring from first on a double the way base running value is calculated from how it’s been told to me. Which means he’s basically being handicapped for stealing second and making sure he can score on a single.
Additionally teams stopped running on him in like the first week of the season. So defensively his arm has been undervalued because it hasn’t been challenged.
All really good points.
Looks like Braves just resting up Fried and Morton for the playoffs to me. Smart.
Chipper said he was the most talented Brave ever. Aaron, Matthews, Murphy, Jones all couldn’t do what this guy can do, when healthy, on a baseball field. We all wondered what a fully healthy Acuña could do…Now you’re seeing it. He was well on his way of possibly duplicating this in 2021 if not for the injury. He is truly a unicorn. Thank God he is a Brave.
It’s hard to take modern records now as seriously as we used to with all the rule changes. Steals are up massively this year over the past few. Wonder why that happened? We’re living in a new era of baseball now so everything needs to be taken with the context of how the game has changed recently.
Baseball has always had rules changes, lower mounds, 162 games, etc. The new rules are petty minor, in the grand scheme of things.
Nolan Ryan once threw 257 pitches in a game. Now you get the hook at 90. What’s that say about modern day pitchers and how it effects their numbers? Rules change. You are held slave to them. You make the best of rule changes. Several years ago only division winners played in the playoffs.Now you have a bunch of teams with .500 records getting in. How fair is that to division winners?