It took exactly one pitch.
That’s all Ronald Acuña Jr. needed to remind everyone what kind of superstar he is. After nearly a year away from big-league action following a torn ACL in his left knee, Acuña stepped into the box on May 23, took the first pitch he saw, and sent it soaring into the outfield seats of Truist Park.
Baseball has missed Ronald Acuña Jr. And now, he’s back—with a vengeance.
A Week to Remember
On Monday, the Braves’ electric outfielder was named National League Player of the Week for June 9–15, 2025. His numbers weren’t just good—they were cartoonish. Acuña hit a blistering .619 with three homers, six RBIs, four multi-hit games, and a 1.788 OPS during this week’s span. At one point, he rattled off three straight three-hit performances like he was playing MLB The Show on rookie mode.
But this wasn’t just about a hot streak. It was a statement.
It’s the kind of run that sends a jolt through a clubhouse, a lineup, and an entire fanbase. And for a Braves team that’s been searching for rhythm all season, Acuña’s timing couldn’t have been better.
From Rehab to Reignition
Acuña’s road back wasn’t easy. After tearing his ACL last May, he spent the better part of a year in rehab—grinding away behind the scenes while the Braves battled through the ups and downs of a season without their sparkplug.
Teammate Spencer Strider said it best: “Dominating that rehab process… put him in this position.” The work Acuña put in off the field is now showing up in a big way between the lines.
And he’s doing more than just hitting. He’s running, fielding, stealing bags—checking every box that fans and coaches hoped for. He stole his first base of the season this past week also, a sign that his confidence and explosiveness are creeping back to full strength.
The Acuña Effect
There are some players who change the energy in a ballpark the second they step on the field. Acuña is one of them. Whether it’s crushing a leadoff homer, stretching a single into a double, or gunning down a runner trying to take second base from right field, his presence is magnetic.
Manager Brian Snitker summed it up perfectly: “He’s one of those players that you better not go get a beer… because you might miss something really cool.”
The Braves know that feeling well. Before his injury, Acuña was coming off an MVP season where he slashed .337 with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases. Now, just weeks into his return, he’s showing signs of getting back to that level—and maybe even beyond it.
“I’m feeling much better than even during my MVP-winning season,” Acuña said following one of his dominant performances against Colorado. For opposing pitchers, that’s a terrifying thought.
A Needed Spark
Heading into June, the Braves were struggling to find consistency. They hovered below .500, their offense looked disjointed, and the energy around the club was lacking. Acuña’s return has breathed life into the team.
Since rejoining the lineup, he’s hit .404 with four home runs and a 1.181 OPS over 13 games. The Braves have played more confident, more aggressive, and more fun baseball since then. That’s not a coincidence.
More importantly, Acuña looks healthy. He’s not favoring his knee, and he’s playing with the kind of swagger and joy that fans have come to expect. Every bat flip, every sprint down the line, every dugout celebration signals that Ronald is back and is all in.
What’s Next?
Acuña’s blazing start puts him squarely in the mix for June’s NL Player of the Month honors and possibly an All-Star Game nod in which Atlanta hosts this year. More than anything, though, the Braves just need him to keep doing what he’s doing: setting the tone, igniting the lineup, and reminding the league who he is.
And if this past week is any indication, the rest of the National League might want to buckle up.
Because Ronald Acuña Jr. isn’t just back, but he’s back to being well, Ronald Acuña Jr.
And the baseball world is better because of it.
