Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuna Jr. joins the 40/30 club
The Atlanta Braves star youngster, Ronald Acuna Jr., hit his 40th home run of the year, joining the 40/30 club.
Ronald Acuna Jr. has had a monster year in his second season with the Atlanta Braves. Last night he did something only one other player has done this year, join the 40 home run/30 stolen base club.
The only other player with 40 home runs and 30 stolen bases is Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers. Acuna Jr. is also the youngest player to reach that mark in a single season. With seven games left on the Braves regular-season schedule, he has a chance to get to the 40/40 club.
Currently, Ronald Acuna Jr is leading the National League in stolen bases at 37. Three more swipes in seven games and he will become the youngest player to reach the 40/40 club.
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He has been on a tear this entire year, slashing. 279/.363/.513 with 40 home runs, 37 stolen bases and 99 RBI’s. He is definitely showing the entire league what we can expect to see from him for years to come. He plays with a lot of passion and a lot of confidence.
The one area I think he needs to improve on is his strikeouts. He is leading all of baseball with 185 strikeouts and has a chance to get to 200 on the year. A little more plate discipline will go a long way to helping his career development.
He didn’t hit well last year in the playoffs, slashing .188/.235/.438, but with some postseason experience under his belt, expect him to break out in a big way this postseason. The Braves magic number to clinch the NL East is 1, so you know they will be there, it’s just a matter of who they will play.
Their opponent will more than likely be the St. Louis Cardinals, who have a 3 game lead over the Brewers. I want the Braves to get to the World Series. They have a good young core, with great pitching in tow.
I may be in the minority, but I’m hoping for a Braves vs. New York Yankees World Series. A throwback to the great matchups in the 1990’s.
Next. Who walks away with playoff berths in NL WC?. dark
Some of the best World Series came in those matchups. I can remember John Smoltz and Tom Glavine going up against Tino Martinez and Derek Jeter. I hope the Atlanta Braves win, because let’s be honest, you know I don’t want the Yankees to win.