The Atlanta Braves are facing a major setback as reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. recently tore the ACL in his left knee during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This injury will force Acuña to miss the remainder of the season, leaving a significant void in the Braves’ lineup. It is a devastating blow to a team that was already dealing with the loss of ace pitcher Spencer Strider for the 2024 season.
Historical Perspective on Acuña’s Injury
Acuña’s torn ACL on his left knee is particularly cruel as it comes less than three years after he suffered the same injury on his right knee while making a catch in the outfield. Acuña, who is considered one of the best players in Major League Baseball, had a phenomenal season in 2021 where he batted .337 with 41 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases. His outstanding performance earned him a unanimous MVP award, making history by being the first player to finish a season with at least 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases.
High Expectations and Struggles in 2024
Heading into the 2024 season, there were high expectations for Acuña and the Braves as they aimed to build on their success from the previous year. However, Acuña, along with several of his teammates, had been struggling to meet those expectations. In 49 games, Acuña hit .250 with only 4 home runs, 15 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases while also demonstrating below-average defense. Despite his struggles, Acuña had expressed optimism about his injury, believing it was less severe than his previous ACL injury.
The loss of Acuña is a significant blow to Atlanta’s offense, which has already been struggling this season after setting a record for slugging percentage in the previous year. While designated hitter Marcell Ozuna has been performing well, the rest of the core hitters like Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Michael Harris II have been underperforming with OPS below .750. However, Atlanta’s pitching staff has been strong, led by left-hander Chris Sale and free agent signing Reynaldo Lopez, whose 1.75 ERA is the third best in the NL.
Acuña’s injury raises questions about his future with the Braves, especially as he had expressed interest in signing a new contract that would pay him in line with the top players in the league. Despite not having a baseball agent currently, Acuña had signed with Rimas Sports for his marketing and endorsements. The Braves will need to regroup and find a way to compensate for the loss of their star player as they continue to compete in a tough NL East division.
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending injury is a significant setback for the Atlanta Braves, who will need to rely on their pitching staff and other offensive players to step up in his absence. The road ahead will be challenging, but the Braves will need to come together as a team to overcome this adversity and stay competitive in the league.