As of last night, Ronald Acuña Jr. had not played in a Major League Baseball game for 362 days. His absence from the field had also extended beyond 600 days since he last shone as one of the top players in the league. However, with Acuña’s highly anticipated return to the Atlanta Braves, the first statistic has now been reset. The critical question remains whether he can regain his previous status as a superstar. Acuña could not have asked for a better start to this journey; he hit a powerful 467-foot solo home run on the very first pitch he saw upon his return, launching the ball into the bleachers against the San Diego Padres. The Braves' success this season may hinge on Acuña's performance, as the team is currently trying to recover from a challenging start of 0-7, holding a 24-26 record that places them 5.5 games behind the New York Mets and 8.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. To optimize their chances, the Braves will need Acuña to reach the heights he achieved during the 2023 season, in which he was ranked as one of the top players of that year.

Acuña’s career achievements thus far are remarkable for a player of his age. At only 27 years old, he has already been named Rookie of the Year, won an MVP award, and made four All-Star appearances. He has recorded 166 home runs and 196 stolen bases over his first 723 career games, making him a unique figure in the baseball landscape. However, his path to recovery has not been without its challenges; this marks the second occasion he has returned from a torn ACL. The recovery from his first injury has resulted in a performance discrepancy, as the stellar 2023 season stands out against the backdrop of his last three seasons in MLB. Upon returning in 2022 after a torn ACL in 2021, Acuña played 119 games, but his statistics reflected struggles with a .764 OPS, 15 home runs, and a 29-for-40 success rate in stolen bases. His metrics were notably lower, leading to his admission of not being at full health, and a recurrence of knee issues prior to the 2024 season raises concerns regarding his ability to regain peak performance without proper time to recover.

Looking ahead, Acuña's approach on the basepaths indicates he may prioritize caution, expressing in March that he would prefer to steal 30 bases over aiming for 70 and risking injury that could sideline him for an entire season. However, if Acuña's batting performance mirrors that of his 2023 season, he might not require the same level of base-stealing aggression. His evolution as a hitter included a 12.2 percent decrease in his strikeout rate from 2022—the largest decline among players—which underscores a newfound elite capability. His performance against different pitch types also improved significantly, demonstrating a near-equal proficiency with breaking and off-speed pitches. Acuña's minor league rehab assignment hinted at his high potential, showing positive statistics with 6 hits in 15 at-bats, including two home runs and seven walks. This offensive output would greatly benefit the Braves, especially since the team's leadoff hitters had struggled with a dismal .237/.279/.324 slash line and only two home runs prior to Acuña's return. Despite his previous stardom being two years in the past, the landscape of MLB has shifted. New talents like Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, and Corbin Carroll have emerged, while established star Aaron Judge has consistently posted remarkable statistics. The Steamer projection system forecasts Acuña finishing the season with a 156 wRC+, 22 home runs, and aspirations for 34 stolen bases. The outlook is uncertain, yet one thing is clear: Ronald Acuña Jr. has the potential to reinsert himself into the upper echelon of Major League Baseball.