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The race for Nationwide League Most Priceless Participant was over way back. The one query is whether or not Atlanta Braves proper fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. will likely be a unanimous choice. Listed below are seven explanation why he’s the landslide favourite. (All statistics are via Thursday.)
213 hits
Acuña joined Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Luis Arráez of the Miami Marlins as the primary Nationwide Leaguers with 200 hits in a season since 2017. Acuña’s 213 hits are probably the most by a Courageous since Ralph Garr tallied 214 in 1974.
70 stolen bases
Main League Baseball widened the bases this season to encourage extra steals, and nobody has taken larger benefit of the rule change than Acuña. His 70 stolen bases are probably the most for a Nationwide Leaguer since 2007 and most by a Courageous since Otis Nixon swiped 72 baggage in 1991. Add Acuña’s 41 residence runs and you’ve got the primary 40/70 participant in main league historical past.
.414 on-base share
Acuña’s on-base share leads the foremost leagues and needs to be even larger. He has solely drawn 78 walks. If he can develop a greater eye on the plate, his on-base share may skyrocket.
378 whole bases
Acuña has probably the most whole bases by a Nationwide League participant in a season since 2017. In Braves historical past, he trails just one participant on this class: the incomparable Henry Aaron, who tallied 400 whole bases in 1959.
Few strikeouts
In earlier seasons, Acuña has lacked plate self-discipline — in 2019, he struck out 188 occasions. This season, he has simply 82 strikeouts, a key motive he’ll hit .300-plus for the primary time within the main leagues. Arráez , who’s hitting .353, figures to win the Nationwide League batting title, however Acuña is true behind him at .335.
102 wins
Success for Acuña has meant success for Atlanta as properly. The Braves have had the Nationwide League East wrapped up for weeks and clinched home-field benefit within the NL playoffs with their win on Wednesday night time. In the event that they win every of their final 4 video games, they’re going to tie the franchise document of 106 victories set in 1998.
Contributing to teammates’ success
As a result of Acuña will get on base so often, he turbo-charges his teammates’ manufacturing. 4 of his fellow Braves have not less than 90 RBI this season. As spectacular as Acuña has been, his 41 residence runs and 104 RBI pale compared to Matt Olson’s 53 homers and 134 RBI. Who has Olson driven in 31 occasions this yr, greater than another teammate? Acuña, after all.
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