In a 2024 season full of disappointment for the Atlanta Braves, the most devastating blow of all came when Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his left ACL on May 26th against the Pittsburgh Pirates. As the superstar crumpled to the ground, all of Braves country collectively flashed back to July 20th, 2021. This was, of course, when Acuña tore his other ACL, the first of two major setbacks in a spectacular start to his career. While fans held out hope that Atlanta could magically overcome the loss once again to raise the World Series trophy, these dreams were quickly dashed as the season spiraled out of control without the phenom right fielder.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Looking for Bounceback Season
We’ve Been Here Before
Heading into this season, it feels eerily similar to the start of 2022 regarding Acuña, now 27. He says he’s targeting the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta beginning on May 2nd for his return to action, which would be only four days later than when he came back last time (and logged two steals in his first game). If he can hit this target, that weekend will be an even more raucous one at The Battery Atlanta.
SCOOP for @braves_today: Sources close to Ronald Acuña Jr. report that he’s targeting Friday, May 2nd, the start of a three-game home series against the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, as his return to play date pic.twitter.com/HaQBklgBT8
— Lindsay Crosby, big baseball guy (@CrosbyBaseball) February 3, 2025
It wasn’t all roses three years ago, though. Acuña went on to have a decidedly average 2022 season by his lofty standards, posting a .266/.351/.413 slash line with only 15 home runs, 50 RBI, and 29 steals in 119 games. The Venezuelan said he didn’t feel comfortable on the surgically repaired knee for most of the year and had trouble getting on time and generating power at the plate. But then, after a regular offseason, we saw what he is capable of in 2023 when he raised his numbers astronomically and ran away with the National League MVP award.
Why Acuña’s Return Should Look Different This Time
Expecting Acuña to return to his 2023 form right away would be foolish (although if anyone can do it, it’s probably him). But here’s betting that his offensive numbers won’t sag to the same level as before, for a few reasons. For one, he admittedly returned too quickly in 2022, about nine and a half months post-injury, whereas it will be closer to a full year this time. Having gone through the arduous rehab process before, he has surely learned some other lessons that will further ease the comeback.
But perhaps more importantly, Acuña’s plant leg is just fine this time. Rather, it’s his front leg that could potentially be balky in 2025. This means his batted ball data is far less likely to be negatively impacted. In 2022, Acuña recorded just a 12.8 barrel % and a .486 xSLG, both career lows excluding the 49 games he played last year. When he got comfortable on the knee again, these shot up to 15.3 and .660. The latter marks are probably closer to what we can expect from the Braves star this year at the plate.
Stolen bases are the area where we are likely to see the most decline. Now having to look after two surgically repaired knees, Acuña will almost certainly not approach his 2023 total of 73 steals, and unfortunately, he may never again. In fact, he has already said this spring that he will be extra careful on the bases this year.
Ronald Acuña Jr., now doing interviews in English, said he’s planning to “take it easy” on the bases, after tearing left ACL in May, the #Braves star’s 2nd torn ACL (right in 2021). Said he’s running at about 90-95%, feels more stable on knee than coming back from 1st surgery. pic.twitter.com/onO11fz3hg
— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 14, 2025
Acuña Vital to Braves’ Success
Don’t be fooled by what the Braves were able to accomplish in winning it all without their biggest star the last time he went down. To get past the Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers, and others in 2025, they will need their sparkplug healthy and productive. Braves fans clamored for more major offseason moves, but Alex Anthopoulos stayed passive other than the Jurickson Profar signing. He clearly views Acuña’s return as more significant than any potential outside addition.
Atlanta will roll with the largely underwhelming platoon of Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz in right field to begin the season. Even if they exceed expectations, the return of Ronald Acuña Jr. is sure to provide a jolt to what is already one of baseball’s best lineups. If his hitting is closer to the 2023 levels than 2022, it will greatly help the Braves’ chances of reclaiming the NL East crown.
2025 Projections (Steamer)
PA: 590
Triple Slash: .292/.379/.509
HR: 26
R: 102
RBI: 73
SB: 44
wOBA: .382
wRC+: 146
WAR: 4.9
Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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