The Atlanta Braves’ 2024 season was marred by injuries, with key players Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined for most of the year. Despite barely making the playoffs, they were swiftly eliminated by the San Diego Padres.
As Acuña works his way back from injury, he acknowledges that health is crucial to the Braves’ success this season. In an interview with ESPN’s Aiden Gonzalez, Acuña expressed his desire to reach his full potential. “I know I haven’t reached my peak yet… Health is the most important thing,” he said.
Acuña’s injury-prone history has limited him to playing 100 games or more in just four of his seven seasons with the Braves. However, when healthy, he’s one of the league’s top players. His impressive speed is a key aspect of his game, as evidenced by his 73 stolen bases in his 2023 MVP season.
Although Acuña may not be ready for Opening Day, his return will be pivotal to the Braves’ success. The team’s fortunes will largely depend on his ability to maintain his health throughout the season. If he can stay on the field, Acuña is poised to make a significant impact and help the Braves contend for a championship.
The Braves have stiff competition in the NL East
The Atlanta Braves face a challenging task in winning their division this year. The Philadelphia Phillies had a strong regular season last year, and the New York Mets finished with the same record as the Braves without Juan Soto. To come out on top, the Braves will rely heavily on Ronald Acuña Jr.
Acuña is aware of the importance of his role and is willing to make adjustments to ensure he remains healthy throughout the season. He may scale back his aggressive base-stealing approach, which has been a key aspect of his game. “I’d rather steal 30 and play the whole season as opposed to trying to steal 70, injuring myself, and missing the whole year,” Acuña said.
Acuña’s base-stealing prowess is among the best in baseball, rivaling that of Elly De La Cruz. His speed and agility give the Braves a unique element in their game, complementing the power hitting of players like Matt Olson and the exceptional defense of players like Michael Harris II. However, with pitchers adjusting to the new pitch clock and pickoff rules, Acuña will need to be more strategic in his base-stealing attempts.
To achieve success and stay healthy, Acuña will need to pick his spots carefully. This may mean stealing fewer bases than he did in 2023, when he took advantage of the new rules to steal 73 bases. By being more selective and intelligent in his base-stealing attempts, Acuña can help the Braves win games while minimizing the risk of injury.
