Atlanta Braves’ star right fielder, Ronald Acuna Jr., continues to dominate the basepaths and is on his way to potentially securing the 2023 NL Most Valuable Player award.

 

Acuna has achieved a remarkable feat this season, becoming the newest member of the exclusive 40 home run, 70 stolen bases club, solidifying his place in baseball history. This remarkable achievement comes after a triumphant return from an injury-plagued 2022 campaign.

 

In a recent game against the Washington Nationals, despite a 10-6 loss, Acuna showcased his base-stealing prowess by swiping two bases, bringing his total stolen bases for the 2023 season to an impressive 72. This achievement also saw Acuna tie the Braves’ franchise record for the most stolen bases in a single season, joining the ranks of Otis Nixon, who achieved this feat 22 years ago with 72 stolen bases of his own.

 

With two regular-season games remaining before the Braves shift their focus to the NLDS starting on October 6, there’s potential for Acuna to further add to his stolen base tally. However, there’s a degree of uncertainty surrounding whether the Braves will choose to rest Acuna and other key players, prioritizing their health over chasing additional records and potentially risking injury. It’s plausible that the team might allow Acuna, who is 25 years old, to steal one more base and then promptly substitute him out of the game.

 

While Ronald Acuna Jr.’s stolen base total is undeniably impressive, it’s essential to consider some nuances in his baserunning performance. Notably, he has been caught stealing 14 times this season, which could impact his overall effectiveness on the basepaths. Additionally, he has hit into 15 double plays, as per TeamRankings.com, which factors into his overall baserunning evaluation.

 

Fangraphs’ data indicates that Acuna’s overall baserunning value in 2023 is not significantly better than it was in 2019 when he stole 37 bases. While Acuna undoubtedly brings substantial value on the bases, these nuances shed light on the complexity of assessing his baserunning contributions. Despite this, he remains a strong contender for the MVP award and continues to impress with his skills on the basepaths.