Braves manager Walt Weiss hints at massive Ronald Acuna Jr. decision for upcoming season

Hunter Cookston

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Braves manager Walt Weiss hints at massive Ronald Acuna Jr. decision for upcoming season image

For the first time in a long while, the Atlanta Braves will not be led by Brian Snitker at the manager position. However, new manager Walt Weiss will get Ronald Acuña Jr. Fully healthy to start the season. Acuña struggled at times last year coming off an ACL injury, but he still managed to make history.

“Ronald Acuña Jr. Is the only player to debut in the Divisional Era (1969) to average 30+ HR and 30+ SB per 162 games played (min. 800 games played),” MLB posted.

He performed well enough to earn NL Comeback Player of the Year, which shows just how good he still is despite two ACL injuries.

“Acuña, 27, tore his left ACL on May 26, 2024, and returned to the Braves this past May 23 and made his fifth All-Star team. He hit.290 with 21 home runs, 42 RBIs and 9 stolen bases,” ESPN wrote in November.

The Braves are thrilled to begin the season with Acuña healthy, especially as he enters the prime of his career. Weiss is also considering putting him back in the leadoff spot.

“It’s enticing to have him at the top of the order,” Weiss said. “I really like when a lineup turns over and there’s teeth right away. If you’re a pitcher, you’ve got to run through a gauntlet as soon as the lineup turns over.”

Given Weiss’s comments, it would not be surprising to see the Braves open the season with Acuña leading off. And with Antoan Richardson serving as the baserunning coach, Acuña could find even more success on the basepaths.

Acuña is ready for another MVP-caliber season, and the leadoff spot is an ideal place to get that rolling. Weiss will ultimately do what he believes is best, but his comments now may hint that this will be the final decision come March.

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Contributing writer

Editorial Team