The Atlanta Braves not playing in the postseason has been odd, but it's not surprising after the side show that was 2025. Mercifully, the season is over, and the work towards a better year begins. Ronald Acuña Jr. got a late start to the season as he recovered from his knee injury. However, he looked like he didn't miss a beat once he returned to the lineup. Atlanta's superstar outfielder earned his fifth All-Star selection thanks to an incredible resurgence.
Unfortunately, he also did have another injury scare at the end of July, which turned out to be right Achilles inflammation. It only sidelined him for a couple of weeks, and he was able to finish the season strong. The MVP-level performance is still in there.
It seems that his inability to complete a full season has him wanting to play Winter ball in Venezuela. Braves insider Grant McAuley stated that Acuña has reportedly received clearance from Atlanta to participate at some point. Acuña also intends to represent his home country in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. McAuley pointed out that the last time Atlanta's outfielder participated, very good things happened.
The last time #Braves RF Ronald Acuña Jr. participated in the World Baseball Classic, he went on to become the unanimous National League MVP that season.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) October 28, 2025
If you're into that sort of thing. https://t.co/halETfwlwC
One hopes it isn't a coincidence that the last time Ronald Acuña Jr. played winter ball and in the WBC, he won MVP
The last WBC took place before the 2023 season when team Japan took home the title. However, this is also the year that Acuña had the best season of his career and established that he is one of the best in baseball.
He was incredible that season with a .337/.416/.596 slash line, 35 doubles, 41 homers, 106 RBI, 73 stolen bases, and a 171 wRC+. The only analytic categories he didn't excel in were launch angle, fielding run value, and OAA.
While his playing in the WBC doesn't guarantee that he will win the NL MVP in 2026, it does provide fans with some confidence in his chances. Maybe it's the fact that he's playing in more meaningful games than most players get during spring training.
That allows players to be much more prepared for the tough grind that is a full 162-game MLB season. It would be amazing to see him have a repeat of the 2023 season, where he created the 40/70 club.