As the World Baseball Classic (WBC) gears up for another thrilling installment, Atlanta Braves fans have plenty to look forward to. The sixth edition of the WBC will see Pool B's action unfold at the Astros' home turf, featuring teams from Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, the United States, and Brazil. This marks the ninth MLB park to host WBC games since the event began, adding another exciting chapter to its history.
For Braves enthusiasts, the spotlight will be on a select group of their stars. Chadwick Tromp, Jurickson Profar, Ozzie Albies, and Ronald Acuña Jr. are set to represent their countries. Notably, this will be Albies' debut at the WBC, while Tromp, Profar, and Acuña Jr. bring previous experience to the table.
All eyes will be particularly fixed on Ronald Acuña Jr. His last WBC appearance in 2023 was a prelude to a spectacular MLB season, where he clinched the NL MVP with a .337 batting average, 35 doubles, 41 homers, 106 RBIs, 73 stolen bases, and a dazzling 171 wRC+. Fans are eager to see if he can replicate such brilliance in 2026.
Returning from injury in 2025, Acuña showed he's still a force to be reckoned with. Over 95 games, he posted a .290/.417/.518 slash line, with 12 doubles, 21 homers, 42 RBIs, and a 161 wRC+. His trajectory is promising, but his health remains a key factor.
This year's WBC might carry extra significance for Acuña, as it could be his last as a Brave. With two $17 million club options left before he hits free agency in 2029, the Braves are likely to exercise them.
However, whether they can retain him beyond that is uncertain. Acuña, a five-time All-Star, will undoubtedly be a hot commodity in free agency.
Braves fans are hopeful the team will secure Acuña's future in Atlanta, especially as he has expressed a desire to stay with the franchise for life. Yet, history under GM Alex Anthopoulos shows that keeping fan favorites who reach free agency has been a challenge.
The departures of Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, and Max Fried are reminders of baseball's harsh business realities. Still, there's hope that the Braves will break the pattern and extend Acuña's stay before he tests the market.