It had been 362 days since Ronald Acuña Jr. last played in a Major League Baseball game. Additionally, it had been close to 600 days since he has been in consideration for being among the elite players in the league. With Acuña returning to the Atlanta Braves, the first of these durations has officially been reset. However, the question remains whether he can return to his previous level of performance. His quest for superstar status began promisingly as he hit a solo home run off the very first pitch he saw in his comeback, sending the ball 467 feet into the bleachers against the San Diego Padres. The Braves are eager to see if Acuña can maintain this momentum throughout the remainder of the season, as they currently find themselves with a record of 24-26, placing them 5.5 games behind the New York Mets and 8.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. To contend, the Braves require Acuña to replicate the form he showcased in 2023, where he was previously ranked as one of the league's top players, even amidst the exceptional performances of Shohei Ohtani.

Acuña’s professional journey has been impressive but tumultuous. At only 27 years old, he has already achieved accolades such as Rookie of the Year, MVP, and four All-Star selections. He has tallied 166 home runs and 196 stolen bases over his first 723 career games, an impressive feat. However, he has also faced significant challenges, including a second recovery from a torn ACL. His prior comeback from an ACL tear in 2021 resulted in a lackluster performance in 2022, where he posted a .764 OPS, 15 home runs, and a stolen base success rate of 29 out of 40 attempts. His metrics reflected a decline, which he openly attributed to not being fully healthy. Heading into the 2024 season, concerns about Acuña's right knee have resurfaced, particularly after experiencing another ACL tear—this time in his left knee—during a brief stint earlier in the season. Given past experiences, it is reasonable to question how much time he will need to fully regain his form as he navigates the remainder of this season.

Even so, Acuña is taking a calculated approach to his playstyle, recognizing the importance of preserving his health. Emphasizing a more cautious approach on the base paths, he stated, "I'd rather steal 30 and play the whole season as opposed to trying to steal 70, injuring myself and missing the whole year." Despite past struggles, Acuña has the potential to excel at the plate, as demonstrated in the 2023 season where he showcased significant improvements including a notable drop in his strikeout rate. His performance during minor league rehab assignments, where he batted .400 with two home runs and seven walks while fanning just twice, offers a glimpse of his abilities. With Acuña back in the leadoff spot for the Braves, expectations are high, especially considering the struggles of Atlanta's leadoff hitters prior to his return. While Acuña’s rise to prominence in MLB occurred only two years ago, the subsequent developments in the league highlight challenges he may face in competing with today’s elite players. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return to stardom, projections indicate Acuña could rank favorably come the end of the season, potentially reestablishing himself among the top players in the National League MVP voting.