Is there a more exciting player in MLB than the Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. during a hot streak? It is undeniable that the sport is a better product when Ronald Acuña Jr. is healthy and producing on the diamond. Thankfully, Acuña is proving he is ready to dominate the sport once again as he continues to torment pitchers in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Braves fans are no stranger to tape measure Acuña Jr. homers, and every Venezuelan Winter League highlight we get of Ronald seems to involve a 430 ft rocket. Friday was just the latest example, as RAJ blasted another homer to straightaway centerfield, and enjoyed the most exuberant of celebrations as he rounded the bases.
Acuña is fired up and firing them up in Venezuela. #Braves star looks good, putting it mildly. https://t.co/S2Eu5KJVRr
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 27, 2025
Ronald Acuña Jr. has his swagger back, and the rest of baseball should be very worried
Our first update from Acuña Jr.'s VWL performance focused on the return of the stolen base. The excitement around Acuña's 2026 has not slowed down thanks to his continued success in his native country. The 2023 NL MVP led the Braves offense to historic marks, and fans are eagerly awaiting the return of that Ronald Acuña Jr.
Last season, the Braves did not have many memorable wins, but Acuña's electric bat remained must-watch television. Despite playing in just 95 games in 2025, Ronald was named an All-Star and finished the season with a 161 wRC+ and 3.5 fWAR. Alex Anthopoulos has done a great job lengthening Atlanta's lineup this offseason, but make no mistakes, the Braves will only go as far in 2026 as Ronald Acuña Jr. will take them.
The good news is Acuña Jr. seems more than ready to carry the Braves back into the postseason. Current steamer projections has Acuña Jr. posting a 148 wRC+ and 5.3 fWAR next season, but those numbers feel conservative based on what we have seen so far this winter. For now, Acuña Jr. will continue to obliterate baseballs in Venezuela until he represents them in the World Baseball Classic.
This offseason has been a ton of fun for Atlanta Braves fans, but more than any roster move getting to watch RAJ be this incredible version of himself is something that cannot be overemphasized. If anything, all these highlights do is stress the importance of making Ronald Acuña Jr. a Brave for life.