It doesn't take long for some of best athletes in the world to recognize elite competition once they reach the highest level. That's even more the case when they face the reigning MVP in their second career game.
And that is just what happened between Houston Astros' pitcher Spencer Arrighetti and Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. The 24 year-old RHP gave a glowing review to Acuña Jr. after the Braves 6-1 victory on Monday night.
Arrighetti says Acuña Jr. is the best in the NL for a reason
The thing that really stuck out to Arrighetti was Ronald Acuña Jr.'s plate discipline. You hear all the time about how pitchers don't get hitters to chase as much as they are accustom to in the minors. However, Ronald takes the Major League level of patience to another level.
“That guy knows the zone better than anybody,” Arrighetti said of Acuña. “I thought two (of the two-strike pitches) were close, but I went back and watched, and he was right. He’s the best in their league for a reason.” https://t.co/iTS7s8OYrN
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 16, 2024
The crazy part about the whole scenario is that Ronald isn't near his normal numbers in the plate discipline category. He looked closer to MVP form in the Houston series, but Ronald's early struggles have really skewed his numbers so far in 2024.
In fact, Acuña Jr.'s o-swing% is at a career high 33.2% in 2024. His career average o-swing% is 26.8% according to Fangraphs data. As a result that ranks him in the 44th percentile in chase% this season. Compare that to last year, when he ranked in the 84th percentile. Acuña Jr. has never ranked below the 73rd percentile in chase% during his Major League career.
Once he gets back to those amazing numbers the rest of the league will really be in trouble. And Arrighetti will be proven right, Ronald Acuña Jr. is the best in the National League for a reason.
We saw a glimpse of it on the series opener against the Astros rookie RHP, and on Wednesday the reigning NL MVP smashed his first homer of the 2024 season. Hopefully it is all a sign of things to come for Ronald Acuña Jr.