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Braves Rumors: Big roster move, Vaughn Grissom trade talk, Acuña MVP argument

By Mark Powell

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 02: Jared Shuster #45 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning of his Major League debut against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 02, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 02: Jared Shuster #45 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning of his Major League debut against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 02, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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May 9, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) reacts after a home run by first baseman Matt Olson (not pictured) against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Braves Rumors: Could Ronald Acuña win NL MVP?

Ronald Acuña is on pace for a 30-60 season, at the very least. Should he have a power surge, that first number could easily up itself to 40, which would make him among just a handful of players to ever achieve a 40-40 campaign.

Acuña’s pace is untenable, and at some point he is bound to slow down. For now, though, Braves fans should enjoy watching this player — who is on a team-friendly contract, by the way (shout out Alex Anthopoulos) — hit like the best player in baseball. Because right now, it’s tough to make an argument in any other direction.

Acuña is the face of this Braves team. They go as he goes, and if Atlanta reaches their ultimate goal of winning its second World Series since 2021, an Acuña NL MVP trophy could come with it.

Since the start of the 2018 season, Acuña has 28 career 440-plus feet home runs. That’s four more than anyone else in baseball during that timespan.

The pitch clock has only added to his aggressiveness on the basepaths. Without the shackles placed on him early in his career by Brian Snitker and the coaching staff — and without the fear of being picked off or thrown out by the opposing catcher — Acuña leads the league in stolen bases by a wide margin. That won’t stop anytime soon.

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