If the National League MVP voting culminated over the weekend, voters would have difficulty choosing anyone other than Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.
While Acuña went hitless in his team’s 8-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night, he accomplished something that has never been done in the game’s history. After he walked to lead off the bottom half of the first at Truist Field, Acuña broke for second. With his first-inning steal of second base, Acuña became the first player in Major League Baseball history with 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the first 70 games of a season.
Ronald Acuña Jr is the first player with 15+ home runs and 30+ stolen bases in his team’s first 70 games of a season since at least 1900 https://t.co/RrcLQVYbO8
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 17, 2023
In addition to Acuña, only three other players—Eric Davis, Rickey Henderson, and César Cedeño—have accomplished that same feat, along with 50 RBIs, in the first half of an MLB season. Acuña surpassed the mark previously done by Cedeño, who did so in 71 games back in 1974.
The previous record was 71 games by César Cedeño with the Astros in 1974. pic.twitter.com/gMTqXi0Xh0
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 17, 2023
Cedeño finished the 1974 season with 26 home runs, 57 stolen bases, and 102 RBIs in 160 games.
If Acuña stays healthy, he can likely eclipse those numbers. In the middle of June, Acuña is hitting .327/.401/.569 with 15 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 45 RBIs. He also has a .971 OPS, which ranks fourth in the league, behind only Shohei Ohtani, Yordan Alvarez, and Corbin Carroll.
Those in the world of Major League Baseball reacted to Acuña’s absurd feat on social media:
40/40 SZN INCOMING??? 👀 https://t.co/ufOjpq2CLi
— THE KID MERO 🇩🇴 (@THEKIDMERO) June 17, 2023
Ronnie baseball has a legit shot of becoming the best player in MLB HISTORY 😏 https://t.co/18aLjhvmCO
— 🏀Hawks Fan TV (@HawksFanTV) June 17, 2023
Here's something to blow your mind, though…
In 1987, #Reds Eric Davis had 26 HR and 33 SB in his first 70 games played — not team games.
That dude was ridiculous in 1986 & 1987. https://t.co/7yighK9mOe
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) June 17, 2023
Braves outfielder could make MVP run. https://t.co/r2x3ObHiVp
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) June 17, 2023
A 30-30 season feels guaranteed. A 30-60 season would be the first ever. A 40-60 season would be Nuclear Level Acuña™️. https://t.co/kR33n074qy
— Jason Foster (@ByJasonFoster) June 17, 2023
[Sarah Langs, ESPN Stats & Info]