The All-Star festivities may be over in Atlanta, but Ronald Acuna Jr. is still putting on a show.
The Braves outfielder, recently selected for his fifth All-Star Game, made a "Play of the Year" entry with his defensive efforts against the Yankees on Friday.
Acuna, who first made a casual snag down the right field line, fired a long throw all the way to third base to double-up a tagging Yankees runner, a pinpoint toss that left the announcers and fans astounded.
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Here's a look at Acuna's spectacular throw vs. New York in Friday's game as the second half of both squads' seasons got underway.
MORE: How Atlanta All-Star Game put spotlight on Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ronald Acuna Jr. throw vs. Yankees
With the Braves leading 3-0 in the top of the third in Friday's matchup, in part due to an RBI double from Acuna in the bottom of the first, Cody Bellinger sent a ball high in the air out to Acuna in right field.
All the way on the edge of the grass in the corner of right field at Truist Park, Acuna made a quick catch, then immediately spun around and fired a throw as quickly as he could.
At first glance, it looked like there was no way the ball could make it to third before Jorbit Vivas, who tagged on the play. But despite the distance of Acuna's throw, it landed perfectly in third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr.'s glove, and he put the tag on Vivas just before the Yankees runner stepped on third.
RONALD ACUÑA JR. WITH THE THROW OF THE YEAR pic.twitter.com/ddTetbUsZc
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 19, 2025
Alvarez also sold Vivas on the tag, making it look like he wasn't expecting a throw so Vivas wouldn't slide. Acuna was then seen fired up after the play:
This fake out on Acuña's throw was ELITE 😮 https://t.co/T4Uaj4b59f pic.twitter.com/T9JoUybHMk
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2025
It was fairly easily one of the best throws in baseball throughout the 2025 season so far, and also one of the best overall defensive plays. And somehow, Acuna made it look casual.
Ronald Acuna Jr. throw reactions
Acuna's rocket from right field left fans stunned, with some calling it one of the best throws they've ever seen.
Here are some of the best social media reactions to Acuna's impressive play against the Yankees:
is Jorbit Vivas not sliding here an inexplicable and inexcusable error? yes
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) July 19, 2025
should we all be immensely grateful for his blunder so that this outrageous Ronald Acuña Jr. throw isn’t lost to history? also yes pic.twitter.com/tiMbHSIsfu
Ronald Acuna just made one of the greatest throws I’ve ever seen in my life. Oh my goodness.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 19, 2025
I’ve watched this throw by Ronald Acuña Jr. 100 times already. pic.twitter.com/Txhg3MjKuM
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) July 19, 2025
Ronald Acuña Jr. is not of this world.
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) July 19, 2025
This is a Top-5 play in my lifetime. Anybody out there want to run on Ronnie? This will be on Acuna’s HOF reel. #Braves pic.twitter.com/ApaYK6gjX1
— David Carroll (@DAVIDCARROLL3) July 19, 2025
Ronald Acuna Jr. stats
Despite playing in just 45 games in the first half due to his recovery from a long-term injury, Acuna has been as elite as ever in 2025. He came into Friday's game with an OPS of 1.025, which would rank third in MLB if he qualified with at-bats.
Here's a full look at Acuna's numbers this season so far:
| Games | Runs | Hits | Doubles | HRs | RBIs | Stolen Bases | Walks | Strikeouts | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| 45 | 39 | 52 | 7 | 12 | 22 | 4 | 32 | 52 | .323 | .435 | .590 | 1.025 |