Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuna taking aim at 40-40 season
By David Hill
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna is taking aim at a 40-40 season.
Jose Canseco. Barry Bonds. Alex Rodriguez. Alfonso Soriano. Those are the only players in MLB history to hit at least 40 homers and steal 40 bases in the same season. It is a truly rare feat, one of the more difficult accomplishments in the game.
It is also a club that may find itself with another member by the end of the year. Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna is closing in on becoming the fifth member of that exclusive fraternity.
With 42 games remaining, Acuna is 7 homers and 12 stolen bases from recording the fifth 40-40 season in MLB history. How good has he been over the past month? If he were to maintain his post AS break rates (10.6 AB/HR, 4.4 AB/G and 0.52 SB/G), he'd end with 50 HR and 47 SB
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 12, 2019
Acuna has certainly been on a tear in the second half. Since the All Star Break, he has produced an impressive .315/.383/.630 batting line, hitting 12 homers and stealing 15 bases. He has taken an already impressive first half, and built upon that even more.
This season is just the next step in Acuna’s ascension to stardom. He burst onto the scene last season, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award and finishing 12th in the MVP ballot. He has already made his first All Star Game, and with a torrid start to his second half, has forced his way into this season’s MVP consideration.
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Should Acuna actually end up with a 40-40 season, he would certainly have to be in the conversation with Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger for the award. As it is, his .298/.378/.538 batting line with 33 homers and 28 RBI for the division leading Braves should be enough for consideration.
At the very least, Acuna should do well in the ballot. Rodriguez had the worst finish in the ballot of any of the players to have a 40-40 season, and he still finished ninth. Of course, having accomplished that feat in 1998, when the rest of the baseball world was tuned in to the great Home Run Chase caused his accomplishment to be overshadowed.
That should not be the case with Acuna. Not only have the Braves run away with the NL East, but he has developed into their brightest young star, the type of player that can lead the franchise for years to come. If the award is truly based on how valuable a player is to their franchise, then Acuna should add some more hardware to his trophy case this season.
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Young Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna may become the fifth member of the 40-40 club. If he does, he can push his way into the NL MVP discussion.