Ronald Acuña Jr's MVP season propels him to a career high ranking amongst his peers

Ronald Acuña's historic 2024 elevated him to heights he has not yet seen in MLB Network's Top 100 players list.

Chicago Cubs v Atlanta Braves
Chicago Cubs v Atlanta Braves / Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/GettyImages

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

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.

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.

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