The bad news is it's pretty realistic that Acuña ends up a DH by his age 31-32 season. Injuries can really wrack up on a guy where fielding is concerned. Marcel Ozuna was once a gold glove outfielder. The good news is I can totally see a guy like him that really loves baseball as much as he does becoming an even better hitter than he is already. I know this sounds crazy but I could absolutely see him turning into a consistent .300/.400/.500 guy who hits 55-60 HR and knocks in 100-120 RBIs every year and still steals 20-25 bags. The only thing I would mull over if I were Snitker is if he's still a superior leadoff hitter to Michael Harris II going forward. Harris in a healthy season could be the platonic ideal of a leadoff hitter, and I feel like he's being held back a bit by the fact that Acuña really likes being a leadoff hitter.
That's a good point. If Acuńa did have to become a DH and just focussed on that part of his game it's kind of scary what he could potentially do as a #3 or #4 hitter blasting 40-50 home runs a year and driving in 100-120 runs.
Thanks Jake, I agree that Ronald's defense is better than metrics would suggest as his speed overcomes most late jumps plus his arm strength is such a deterrent to runners taking extra bases. GO BRAVES 2025!!
I agree Jake , in my opinion while he is not a gold glover but he is better than his defensive metrics show, they can sometimes be "deceiving", but if you make him available right now, you will be getting calls even from the Gwinnett Stripers .
I’m worried that Ronald may become the next Trout. And I’m generally more optimistic than most, but realistically, with these knee injuries… I’m worried.
Missed this broadcast , I had some business to attend too. Listen 🎧 later today Thank You Hate to say it, see if Acuna & Ozzie have trade value for pitching
I think he can comeback to high level of playing, while not the same type of injuries Manny Machado had surgeries on both knees, Yordan Alvarez too had both knees repaired, and medicine has gotten better. A long time ago Moises Alou had one of the ugliest injuries I've ever seen and later needed surgery on the knee of the foot he broke. It is wise to keep him in the right field but he will be fine , it's the mental part of the game that we should be worry about.
Between Acuña getting his power back or getting down the K rate coming back, I would prefer to see him go back to the 2023 K rate. For 2025 at least, I would prepare him to the 2nd bat on the lineup and MHII to be lead off. Try to get more baserunning aggressiveness from Money Mike and get Ronnie to just focus on having better at bats.
I just hope he retains his explosive athleticism. The bat will come back, the glove will be fine, but retaining athleticism and explosiveness is tough after two surgeries.
I don’t think Acuna will have another ‘23 again in his career. He just can’t seem to make athletic moves without injuring himself. I can see him averaging 30/30 seasons, but I’m a little concerned about last season when he was healthy he was actually pretty dreadful. He couldn’t drive the ball plus his strikeout rate doubled from ‘23. I guess everyone can have a down couple of months, but prior to him going down for the season, things didn’t appear to be going on an upward trajectory.
Well one thing about it is if for some reason he doesn't bounce all the way back then we still are getting a bargain on his remaining yrs left on the contract since he originally signed such a team friendly deal
@@LockedOnBraves I agree, but I think we all knew that he had the potential to do what he did in ‘23. His ‘19 and ‘21 seasons showed flashes of that potential, and coming into ‘23, most people predicted he was going to have a huge season.
Um..he could, he just gotta stay healthy. 46hr/110rbi/42sb I believe THIS injury will Mature him as a MLB player, so when he BALL OUT AA gonna have to extend him with more deserving contract. Bit let's get there 1st.
The bad news is it's pretty realistic that Acuña ends up a DH by his age 31-32 season. Injuries can really wrack up on a guy where fielding is concerned. Marcel Ozuna was once a gold glove outfielder. The good news is I can totally see a guy like him that really loves baseball as much as he does becoming an even better hitter than he is already. I know this sounds crazy but I could absolutely see him turning into a consistent .300/.400/.500 guy who hits 55-60 HR and knocks in 100-120 RBIs every year and still steals 20-25 bags.
The only thing I would mull over if I were Snitker is if he's still a superior leadoff hitter to Michael Harris II going forward. Harris in a healthy season could be the platonic ideal of a leadoff hitter, and I feel like he's being held back a bit by the fact that Acuña really likes being a leadoff hitter.
That's a good point. If Acuńa did have to become a DH and just focussed on that part of his game it's kind of scary what he could potentially do as a #3 or #4 hitter blasting 40-50 home runs a year and driving in 100-120 runs.
Great take
Thanks Jake, I agree that Ronald's defense is better than metrics would suggest as his speed overcomes most late jumps plus his arm strength is such a deterrent to runners taking extra bases. GO BRAVES 2025!!
Yep. Thanks, Jeffrey.
I agree Jake , in my opinion while he is not a gold glover but he is better than his defensive metrics show, they can sometimes be "deceiving", but if you make him available right now, you will be getting calls even from the Gwinnett Stripers .
Ronalds power is an awesome attribute. But i just believe its Acuna on the basebaths that really had that Braves machine humming
I’m worried that Ronald may become the next Trout. And I’m generally more optimistic than most, but realistically, with these knee injuries… I’m worried.
How could you not be.?
Missed this broadcast , I had some business to attend too.
Listen 🎧 later today
Thank You
Hate to say it, see if Acuna & Ozzie have trade value for pitching
Nah, I'm not trading them. Even if both are just slightly above average players their contracts are great values.
I think he can comeback to high level of playing, while not the same type of injuries Manny Machado had surgeries on both knees, Yordan Alvarez too had both knees repaired, and medicine has gotten better. A long time ago Moises Alou had one of the ugliest injuries I've ever seen and later needed surgery on the knee of the foot he broke. It is wise to keep him in the right field but he will be fine , it's the mental part of the game that we should be worry about.
He will once again be THE GOAT from DH tho!
DH right away.? Or in a year or two?
Ronald also needs competition to bring out the best in him.#Soto😂
Soto/Harris II/Acuna jr
Between Acuña getting his power back or getting down the K rate coming back, I would prefer to see him go back to the 2023 K rate.
For 2025 at least, I would prepare him to the 2nd bat on the lineup and MHII to be lead off. Try to get more baserunning aggressiveness from Money Mike and get Ronnie to just focus on having better at bats.
Until I see more patience at the plate from MH2, I don't think I can bat him leadoff.
I just hope he retains his explosive athleticism. The bat will come back, the glove will be fine, but retaining athleticism and explosiveness is tough after two surgeries.
Yep, that's what worries me.
2024 is a write off. I’ll look at RA stats once he’s back 100% healthy.
Will that be in 2025 though?
He’s not a top notch outfielder they need to set up a plan to make him the future full till time DH
I don’t think Acuna will have another ‘23 again in his career. He just can’t seem to make athletic moves without injuring himself. I can see him averaging 30/30 seasons, but I’m a little concerned about last season when he was healthy he was actually pretty dreadful. He couldn’t drive the ball plus his strikeout rate doubled from ‘23. I guess everyone can have a down couple of months, but prior to him going down for the season, things didn’t appear to be going on an upward trajectory.
Well one thing about it is if for some reason he doesn't bounce all the way back then we still are getting a bargain on his remaining yrs left on the contract since he originally signed such a team friendly deal
To be fair, his 2023 was once in a lifetime ... until 2024 Ohtani happened.
@@LockedOnBraves I agree, but I think we all knew that he had the potential to do what he did in ‘23. His ‘19 and ‘21 seasons showed flashes of that potential, and coming into ‘23, most people predicted he was going to have a huge season.
Um..he could, he just gotta stay healthy.
46hr/110rbi/42sb
I believe THIS injury will Mature him as a MLB player, so when he BALL OUT AA gonna have to extend him with more deserving contract.
Bit let's get there 1st.
23 again?! Keep in mind that over 20,000 have played the game and he is the only one with a season like that.
Trade Acuña for an allstar pitcher
🤣
Ummm no.
Kids - say no to drugs
@@pgtips73 say no to hotdog regular season players
@@ivanrobertochavezpaez9326 bro what😭
Braves will trade him. He's damaged goods now.