The 2023 NL MVP is sort of again on a subject for the primary time in virtually a yr. The return of Braves famous person Ronald Acuña Jr. is imminent, per Braves supervisor Brian Snitker. In actual fact, it will occur throughout the subsequent few days.
“It will be earlier than later now,” Snitker mentioned Thursday (by way of AJC.com).
One other indication that Acuña is sort of again is that he is not taking part in for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday evening. The final vibe right here factors to his return on Friday.
Let’s check out the scenario from the angle of each Acuña and the Braves.
Acuña’s rehab and return
Acuña, in fact, tore the ACL in his left knee final Could 26 and underwent surgical procedure to restore it. It was again in 2021 when he tore his proper ACL. That occurred in July and he returned on April 28, 2022. This time round, the Braves and Acuña are taking much more time in his restoration and rehab to keep away from any setbacks or poor play upon his return.
Again in 2022, Acuña had the statistical worst season of his profession to that time. He performed in 119 video games, however solely amassed 2.3 WAR whereas slashing .266/.351/.413, good for a career-worst 112 OPS+. Previous to that season, he had a profession OPS+ of 138 and averaged 6.1 WAR for each 162 video games performed.
Then in 2023, Acuña was the most effective gamers in baseball. He hit .337/.416/.596 (171 OPS+) with 35 doubles, 4 triples, 41 residence runs, 106 RBI, 149 runs, 73 stolen bases and eight.4 WAR, profitable the NL MVP.
He was off to a fairly unhealthy begin by his requirements in 2024, but it surely was solely 49 video games.
Along with his arrival after ACL surgical procedure occurring virtually a yr later as a substitute of the roughly 9 months in 2022, the Braves are hoping for lots nearer to 2023 than 2022 out of Acuña.
Throughout his rehab stint within the minors, he is crushing the ball, too. In 5 video games for Triple-A Gwinnett, Acuña is 5 for 12 with two doubles, a house run, seven walks and two strikeouts.
Braves dig a gap, partially climb out
On the Braves’ finish, they actually appeared to overlook Acuña for the remainder of 2024 along with the beginning of 2025. After Could 26 final season, they went 59-53, which is a completely high-quality file for a playoff group. They gained 104 video games within the 2023 common season, although, and shedding Acuña accounts for a minimum of a part of the 2024 shortfall.
This season, the Braves began 0-7 after which 5-13. It is laborious telling how a lot of a distinction Acuña would have made, however when he is totally wholesome, he is one of many high offensive weapons in baseball.
The Braves have since righted the ship. Since April 16, they’ve gone 19-11, lastly pulling themselves above .500 for the primary time all season with a win final Friday.
Nonetheless, they entered Thursday 6.5 video games out of first within the NL East and are usually not at present in playoff place in an extremely robust Nationwide League. Eight groups have a greater file with two extra proper on their heels.
Transferring ahead
The Braves have 113 video games remaining this season after Thursday. Attending to 90 wins might be an inexpensive purpose that’s each attainable and would probably get them into the playoffs. They will must go 65-48 the remainder of the way in which for that to occur, which is a .575 profitable proportion (a full-season tempo of 93 wins, which is certainly doable for a group of the Braves’ expertise stage).
A number of the points from the early season have already began to show. Chris Sale and A.J. Smith-Shawver have been excellent within the rotation together with high quality contributions from Spencer Schwellenbach and Bryce Elder. Spencer Strider is again off the injured listing now for the second time and, presumably, he’ll begin throwing nicely quickly.
Matt Olson has began to appear to be himself with the facility stroke. The return of Sean Murphy has been a boon for the offense whereas Marcell Ozuna is hitting nicely total. Drake Baldwin has been an sudden godsend and Eli White has helped choose up the slack.
Austin Riley is having a little bit of an influence outage. Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies should be higher with the bat.
The excellent news for the Braves is just not solely does the return of Acuña make a direct affect on the lineup, as, clearly, getting a participant of his caliber again within the lineup offers an enormous increase. The affect can not directly assist others, too, as a deeper offense causes issues for opposing pitchers that resonate all through all the lineup. That’s to say that we should not be shocked in a couple of weeks to see Acuña’s return coinciding with gamers like Riley, Harris and Albies getting sizzling.
In all, the Braves must do some good work shifting ahead, however they’re well-equipped to take action.
