Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald José Acuña Blanco Jr.
(born December 18, 1997)

"La Bestia" is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). After signing with the Braves as an international free agent in 2014, Acuña made his MLB debut in 2018, and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Since 2018, Acuña has made five MLB All-Star team appearances, won three Silver Slugger Awards, and twice led the league in stolen bases. During the 2023 season, he became the fifth MLB member of the 40–40 club, set a modern-era franchise record in stolen bases, with 73, and became the first MLB player to accomplish a 40–70 season. Acuña won the 2023 National League Most Valuable Player Award.

After a remarkable return in May 2025 from his second ACL tear, he was named the 2025 National League Comeback Player of the Year by The Sporting News and MLBPA.

Acuña Jr.'s accolades to date include:

National League MVP (2023)

5× All-Star (2019, 2021–2023, 2025)

All-MLB First Team (2023)

2× All-MLB Second Team (2019, 2020)

National League Rookie of the Year (2018)

3× Silver Slugger Award (2019, 2020, 2023)

National League Hank Aaron Award (2023)

2× NL Stolen Base leader (2019, 2023)

Only 40/70 Season in MLB History (2023)

Sporting News Player of the Year (2023)

MLBPA Players Choice Player of the Year (2023)

MLBPA NL Comeback Player of the Year (2025)

Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year (2025)