After 65 long at-bats and three weeks that began to feel like an eternity, Ronald Acuna Jr. can finally sign in peace. The NL MVP has finally erased that zero from his Home Runs tab. He came close and did everything he could but that homer just seemed a little elusive. However, on Wednesday afternoon the Atlanta Braves star finally did in against the Houston Astros. But while the fans were in a celebratory mood, Acuna seemed quite low-key about it in the postgame interviews.
The reason for Acuna’s low-key behavior was clear. Even though he was going through one of the worst droughts of his career, Acuna never stopped believing in himself. The superstar knew that a home run was right around the corner – That it “was just a matter of time until the hits started coming.” However, while he believed that hits would come, even Acuna was surprised that it was this hit that got him the home run.
Ronald Acuna Jr’s first homer – the beginning of a hot streak?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Though Acuna wasn’t able to hit home runs, he wasn’t having a bad season. The superstar is currently averaging .294 with a .400 OBP. However, his .797 OPS is certainly a little underwhelming. It was just that he was getting contact but not enough to get the ball long. “I’ve been feeling good the whole time and I knew it was just a matter of time until the hits started coming,” Acuna said.
“I’ve been feeling good the whole time and I knew it was just a matter of time until the hits started coming.”
Ronald Acuña Jr. after hitting his first home run of the season against the Astros🔊 pic.twitter.com/PuadPqhI4Q
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) April 17, 2024
In 2023 Acuna had perhaps one of the greatest seasons the baseball world has ever witnessed. With 41 homers and 73 stolen bases, he became the first and right now the only 70-40 player in baseball. However, 2024 started with him not looking like his old self. The contacts were there but the power wasn’t. There was a gear missing in Acuna’s batting.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But then the superstar has ended the worries of his fans with this home run. Acuna’s return to form helped the Braves complete the sweep of the Astros with a 5-4 win. However, Acuna’s hit came in as a surprise for him too. For a moment he felt that it wasn’t going to the stands.
How the Braves superstar got surprised with his hit
“I felt like I hit it good, but it felt like I got under it too much,” Acuna said as reported by MLB.com. “It felt like it was too elevated. But luckily, it went out.” The superstar’s reaction after the home run did showcase a slightly surprised gesture. Perhaps he imagined that his first homer would be some massive hit and not a hit where even he felt he was going to fall short.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But then that’s how baseball works. The beautiful sport always surprises fans and players with its unpredictability. However, while Acuna may be surprised this is a massive relief for the Atlanta Braves. The team has been going through an injury crisis and to see their biggest star back in form is nothing short of a miracle.
While the team is still leading the NL East, Acuna’s return to form could help them increase the distance between themselves and their rivals. That certainly doesn’t bode well for the competitors.