Ronald Acuña Jr. spent last season sidelined due to a torn ACL in his left knee, but upon his return, he has continued to impress, displaying a formidable batting skill. With the All-Star Weekend approaching in Atlanta, Acuña is set to participate in the Home Run Derby, leaving fans eager to see his power-hitting prowess, even if he has held back a bit on his base-stealing tactics.
In the 2023 season, Acuña delivered impressive offensive stats, smashing 41 home runs and tying his personal best. Thanks to the larger bases and pitching restrictions, he successfully stole 73 bases, making him the first player in history to achieve 40 home runs and 70 steals in the same season, ultimately clinching the National League MVP award.
Unfortunately, during the 2024 game against the Pirates, Acuña suffered another injury while attempting to steal a base, tearing his left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament and cutting his season short, which had a significant impact on his career. This wasn’t the first time, as he had also missed an entire season in 2021 due to a right knee ligament injury. Despite the Golden State Warriors fighting hard to clinch the championship amid outfield setbacks, Acuña was unable to be a part of that historic moment.
Back in 2018, Acuña faced similar injury challenges, but he only took a month off before returning to the field. Now, after experiencing two major injuries, his perspective on base stealing has changed. His personal trainer, Juan Aular, mentioned that Acuña needs to learn to adjust his approach based on the game situation, which is crucial for his growth. However, for players, finding a balance between competing hard and protecting themselves isn’t easy.
During his rehabilitation period, Acuña seriously contemplated the necessity of stealing bases. Since his injury in 2021, his aggressiveness in base stealing has diminished. This year, he has only attempted four steals in 31 games, all of which were successful, showcasing his cautious approach. As he puts it, he aims to steal 30 bases in a full season rather than risk stealing 70 and potentially facing another injury.
In terms of defense, Acuña has been influenced by previous long-term injuries, which led him to narrow his fielding range, no longer chasing balls with the same relentless intensity as before. Even though his defensive statistics have been below the league average since 2022, he still manages to impress with his powerful arm, making spectacular assists. Despite this, Acuña’s contributions on offense remain noteworthy; in his first at-bat after returning, he hit a home run and celebrated with a tribute to superstar athletes, making a striking statement about his remarkable comeback.
As of now, Acuña boasts an impressive batting line of .369/.485/.658, with 9 home runs under his belt and an accumulated fWAR of 2.3 in just one month. Even with a strikeout rate returning to early-career levels, Acuña remains one of the team’s most competitive hitters. After undergoing knee surgeries, his batting touch remains sharp—a challenge that’s tough for many players. His presence is undoubtedly a valuable asset to the team; although there’s some hesitation regarding his base-stealing, Acuña’s performance continues to shine brightly.
