Until last night, it had been 362 days since Ronald Acuña Jr. last played in a Major League Baseball game. He returned to the Atlanta Braves on Friday, marking a significant moment in his career as he aims to reclaim his status among the elite in the league. Acuña's return could not have started more emphatically; he hit a solo home run on the very first pitch he saw, launching the ball 467 feet into the bleachers against the San Diego Padres. The Braves, currently 24-26, are looking to Acuña for a revival as they trail the New York Mets by 5.5 games and the Philadelphia Phillies by 8.5 in the National League East standings.

Despite Acuña's impressive past, including being named Rookie of the Year, an MVP, and an All-Star four times, he faces challenges in his return. Having sustained two torn ACL injuries, Acuña's previous performance in 2022 after recovering from a right knee injury was underwhelming. He played 119 games with a .764 OPS and a less than ideal success rate in stealing bases. The story is further complicated by Acuña's recent struggles prior to his latest injury in 2024, where he managed only a .715 OPS and was forced to sit out again. This history raises concerns about his ability to quickly return to form, particularly given that he intends to play more cautiously on the basepaths moving forward.

However, Acuña's skill with the bat may mitigate some of the pressure on his legs. During the 2023 season, he demonstrated a remarkable improvement by significantly lower his strikeout rate and excelling against a variety of pitch types. Such performance caught the attention of major league pitchers, and his impressive statistics during his minor league rehab assignment further demonstrated his ability to produce offensively. As he reassumes his role as the leadoff hitter for the Braves, Acuña's contributions will be vital to the team's success, especially given the struggles of Atlanta's previous leadoff players. With a competitive landscape in Major League Baseball, including emerging talents and established stars, Acuña's path to returning to elite status will not be easy. Still, predictions suggest he could be a top five candidate for National League MVP, with the potential to drive the Braves back into playoff contention.