Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves has taken Major League Baseball by storm this season, setting records and turning heads with his phenomenal performance.
The right fielder’s statistics are nothing short of spectacular, boasting a slash line of .337/.416/.596 with an incredible OPS of 1.012.
However, it’s his historic achievement of becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season that has left the majority of the baseball world in awe.
Among those acknowledging Acuña’s remarkable season is none other than Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who is considered Acuña’s primary competition for the National League Most Valuable Player award.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is now leading Mookie Betts and the rest of MLB in fWar pic.twitter.com/ARDL1gq0qG
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) October 1, 2023
Betts, the superstar outfielder for the Dodgers, has had a stellar season himself, with a batting average of .307, an OBP of .408, and a slugging percentage of .579, resulting in an OPS of .900.
He was vital to the Dodgers success, notching 39 home runs and an impressive 107 runs batted in.
Betts has also displayed his versatility in the field, spending time at second base and shortstop, in addition to his usual Gold Glove-caliber play in right field.
Ronald Acuña Jr. ties the single-season franchise record with stolen base No. 72 💨
(via @BravesOnBally)pic.twitter.com/9a1fsDFg70
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) September 30, 2023
Despite their fierce competition for the MVP title, Betts did not hesitate to shower Acuña with praise during a recent appearance on the Bleacher Report Walkout podcast.
“That man in Atlanta has been on a wave, and it is unbelievable,” Betts exclaimed. “40 home runs, 70 steals, it’s never been done. That is stopping the game worthy.”
Betts went on to express how watching Acuña hit a baseball is a unique experience, emphasizing the difference in Acuña’s approach and talent.
“That’s different,” Betts marveled.
“When I saw him at the All-Star Game, he wasn’t a big dude. But then you see him in the box, he seems like he’s huge. And then he hits the ball and you’re like, ‘That’s different.’”
No. 13 is different.
(via @BRWalkoff) pic.twitter.com/XCcTOgNBq7
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 30, 2023
“When I saw him at the All-Star Game, he wasn’t a big dude … But then you see him in the box, he seems like he’s huge. And then he hits the ball and you’re like, ‘That’s different,” fellow Dodger J.D. Martinez told Betts on the podcast.
Both have had tremendous seasons, there’s no doubt about that.
Who do you think deserves to win the NL MVP???