Is there anything more exciting than watching Ronald Acuña Jr. steal a base? Perhaps seeing him launch a grand slam. On Friday afternoon at CoolToday Park, Atlanta Braves fans witnessed both. The Braves superstar looked to be in MVP form against the Boston Red Sox, belting his first home run of the spring and swiping multiple bases in Atlanta’s lopsided victory over Boston.
It also marked the final appearance of Acuña Jr. in Braves camp before departing to join the Venezuelan team for the World Baseball Classic, and he made sure to leave a lasting impression. Expectations surrounding Acuña were understandably measured entering the spring, as two major knee surgeries tend to temper even the boldest projections. However, he is quickly easing those concerns, with his dynamic base-stealing ability once again looking like a significant weapon.
Ronald Acuña grand slam radio call from Ben Ingram?
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) February 27, 2026
Yes. Please. pic.twitter.com/crbKx14Dx3
Ronald Acuña Jr.'s impressive spring game has Braves fans dreaming of another MVP season
When Acuña Jr. returned in May 2025, it was evident he wasn’t fully ready to be ultra-aggressive on the base paths. In 95 games last season, Acuña attempted just 10 stolen bases — a stark contrast to his league-leading 87 attempts during his 2023 NL MVP campaign.
Fortunately for the Braves, aspirations of another 40/40 campaign may not be unrealistic for the 28 year-old Acuña. The Braves’ leadoff hitter swiped two bases off Brayan Bello on Friday afternoon, offering another sign that his trademark aggressiveness is returning. Later in the game, Acuña received the green light on a 3-0 pitch and promptly launched it over the left-field wall for a grand slam, punctuating an emphatic all-around performance.
The Braves offense was firing on all cylinders against Boston on Friday, and it was no coincidence that an MVP-caliber Acuña Jr. was setting the tone at the top of the lineup. When Atlanta produced a historic offensive campaign in 2023, Acuña consistently found himself at the center of the action — much like he did again in Friday’s performance.
If Friday was any indication, the version of Ronald Acuña Jr. that once fueled a historic run atop the lineup may be reemerging. For the Braves, that changes everything. An aggressive, fully confident Acuña doesn’t just elevate the offense — he transforms it. And if his speed and power continue trending in this direction, Atlanta’s ceiling in 2026 will once again look as high as anyone in baseball.