Ronald Acuña Jr. is one of Major League Baseball's premiere talents. He was awarded National League MVP after an incomparable 2023 season where he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases. No one had ever accomplished the feat of 40 homers and 70 steals in a season.
However, Acuña hasn't been able to enjoy the prime years of his career. A knee injury in 2021 kept him out of Atlanta's World Series win and that caused him to struggle in 2022. Ronald tried to play through the pain but he was timid on the field and basepaths.
2023 saw him come back fully healthy and it seemed like 2024 might be more of the same as Acuña hoped to reach 50-50 this season. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to chase that goal as another knee injury put him out for the season. Shohei Ohtani would eventually reach the 50-50 mark, which is a huge accomplishment but it's bittersweet knowing Ronald had the skills to do the same but misfortune interrupted that.
It's possible he may never have the chance to make that a reality in the future as indicated by his recent comments at an end-of-September press conference.
Ronald Acuna Jr.’s comments suggest Braves can expect concerning difference in 2025
Braves Director of Baseball Player Relations, Franco Garcia, interpreted for Acuña as he answered a question about his focus in 2025. Ronald responded that he intends to be much more patient this time around.
He plans to focus mostly on his hitting and fielding as expected. However, there is one area that Acuna feels he won't be as successful in next year. He stated, “Focus on my hitting, fielding and anything I can do to help the team win. I don’t know if I will be able to steal the 40 or 50 bags as easily.”
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s main focus heading into next season?
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 25, 2024
Patience.
“Focus on my hitting, fielding and anything I can do to help the team win. I don’t know if I will be able to steal the 40 or 50 bags as easily.” pic.twitter.com/sWYo2aWG4g
It's hard to hear him say that he thinks his ability to steal bases will be hindered. That is one of the things that makes Ronald such a dangerous player. Stolen bases lacked heavily for Atlanta in 2024 without him on the basepaths; that is an area they need to improve next season. However, knowing your most dependable base stealer will have to be more careful trying to swipe bags, is a big concern.
The most important thing is for Acuña to keep himself healthy and in the lineup. So, keeping that in perspective is helpful but it's hard to know we may never see him accomplish the same stolen base numbers we witnessed a year ago.