For the past two weeks, MLB Network has been counting down the best players in Major League Baseball. While several other Braves made the list, it was clear Ronald Acuña Jr. would rank the highest of the Braves players. The question was just how high would he rank?
Last night, that question was answered, as the network released its Top 10 with Acuña taking home the top spot.
The 25-year-old beat out NL MVP runner-up Mookie Betts, 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge, 2023 AL MVP Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman for the top spot.
Ronald Acuña Jr. ranked as the best player in baseball
⭐️ Top 10 ⭐️
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 22, 2024
These stars make up the final list on this year's #Top100RightNow! pic.twitter.com/RftKZQBzHD
After a tough 2022 coming back from his ACL injury, MLB Network slotted Acuña at 25 in their rankings for the 2023 season. Acuña Jr. then went on to have a historic season, hitting 41 homers and stealing 73 bases, becoming the first player with a 30/60, 40/50, 40/60, and 40/70 season in major league history. The Braves leadoff hitter also racked up 217 hits, the sixth-most in franchise history. He slashed .337/.416/.596 on the season.
The 25-year-old's incredible play netted him a unanimous MVP, a Silver Slugger Award, and now the top spot in MLB Network's Top 100 list.
MLB Network talked with Acuña shortly after crowning him the best player in 2024. Franco García, the Braves translator joined the call, but he wasn't actually needed, as Acuña did the the entire interview in English.
Rewriting the record books on the way to winning NL MVP 💪@Braves phenom @ronaldacunajr24 joins the show to talk about the honor of being #1 on the #Top100RightNow! pic.twitter.com/ITJNZyYukr
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 22, 2024
Chris Young asked the superstar what his goals were after the 40/70 season, and Acuña replied, "Stay healthy." When asked if he thought a 50/50 was in the cards in 2024, the RF said, "You never know." before laughing.
Acuña is joined by eight other Braves on the Top 100 Now list. Here's where the other eight Braves ranked:
13. Matt Olson
15. Austin Riley
17. Spencer Strider
47. Sean Murphy
48. Max Fried
50. Michael Harris II
66. Ozzie Albies
83. Marcell Ozuna
Eight players is an amazing amount for this list as that means nearly 33% of the Braves 26-man roster is considered among the best in baseball. And that's not even mentioning some of the elite bullpen weapons they have. Now, it's time to see if Ronald Acuña Jr. can defend his title as best player in baseball during the upcoming season.