Ronald Acuna Jr. Deserves To Be In The MVP Conversation

For most of the season, the National League MVP race has been a two-headed monster. Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich have been the frontrunners; with a commercial even coming out promoting the two superstars’ competition. Quietly approaching the outfielders, Ronald Acuna Jr. is making a case to be in the conversation.

Venezuelan Phenom

Acuna Jr. was signed by the Braves in 2014 as a 16-year-old from Venezuela. After working his way through the minors, he debuted in 2018 and ran away with the NL Rookie of the Year Award. This year, he has stepped up his game to the next level. He currently leads the NL in a plethora of categories. The 21-year-old has flown to the top of the leaderboards in games played, plate appearances, at-bats, runs, and stolen bases. 

30/30 Kid

After making his first All-Star team in July, Acuna Jr. has kept up his torrid pace. He’s impressively hit .292, slugged 36 home runs and driven in 89 RBI from the leadoff spot. Hitting isn’t where his talents stop. Acuna Jr. is also a headache on the base paths and after stealing his 30^thbase of the season last week, he’s only the second player ever to hit 30 home runs and swipe 30 bags before their 22^ndbirthday. A 40/40 season would be historic and it’s well within reach with a month left to play. 

Bellinger and Yelich have both been having remarkable seasons and there’s no question that they deserve to be frontrunners in the MVP conversation. But, Acuna Jr is having an extraordinary year. He is an electric player with a swagger that fits today’s game. Acuna Jr. flies across the outfield, pimps home runs, and is an all-around exciting player to watch. The All-Star is deserving of more attention from the league and the MLB should realize that it’s a three-headed race instead of a two-person battle.