Ronald Acuña Jr. is back in Braves camp, and he's bringing a wave of excitement with him. Fresh off a triumphant World Baseball Classic run, Acuña is all smiles, especially after seeing teammate Ozzie Albies donning a Venezuela jersey-a friendly wager from their WBC face-off. Venezuela kicked off their title quest with a 6-2 victory over Albies' Netherlands, and Acuña couldn't resist a bit of playful banter.
“I told him before the World Baseball Classic he can’t beat me,” Acuña chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment.
Returning to the Braves, Acuña was still riding high from Venezuela's thrilling 3-2 win over Team USA in the championship game. It was a historic first WBC title for Venezuela, and Acuña’s pride was palpable. Now, his focus shifts to bringing that same championship energy to Atlanta.
“This is our city and together we will bring another championship to the city,” he declared, his determination evident.
Acuña's journey has had its hurdles. After tearing his ACL in 2021, he faced lingering challenges but bounced back to claim the National League MVP in 2023. Another ACL tear in 2024 tested his resilience, but the WBC offered him a chance to prepare intensely for the upcoming season.
“I’m feeling healthy, 200 percent,” Acuña assured. “I just want to play hard every time to help my team win a lot of games. Let’s get another championship to Atlanta.”
Braves manager Walt Weiss has been impressed with Acuña’s spirit and performance since Spring Training. He believes the competitive edge of the WBC has only fueled Acuña’s passion.
“Ronald had a great tournament. The joy he has playing the game is always evident,” Weiss noted.
Acuña’s WBC stats-7-for-26 with two homers and two stolen bases-showcase his continued prowess. The big question is whether he’ll bring back the aggressive base running that led to his historic 40-70 season in 2023.
While matching Shohei Ohtani’s 50-50 season might be a stretch, Acuña's current trajectory suggests another remarkable year could be on the horizon.
“Some things are lining up for him,” Weiss added. “He’s in a good place, physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s exciting for anybody that watches him.”
With Acuña’s return, the Braves and their fans have plenty to be excited about. His journey from the WBC back to Atlanta is just the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating season.