MLB Turns Heads With Ronald Acuna Jr. Post on Wednesday
MLB Turns Heads With Ronald Acuna Jr. Post on Wednesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When the Atlanta Braves closed out the 2024 regular season, they did so with an 89-73 mark, good for second place in the National League East, before falling 0-2 to the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card Series.
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It was a familiar postseason fate for a franchise accustomed to deep October runs but only one World Series title to show for it since 1995.
For much of the early 2025 campaign, fans waited for the return of Ronald Acuna Jr., who had missed the first 49 games recovering from his torn ACL.
He finally rejoined the lineup on May 23, immediately showcasing the five-tool prowess that earned him National League MVP honors in 2023.
In just 104 at-bats since his debut this season, Acuna has slugged nine home runs, 16 RBIs and 40 hits with a .385 batting average, .496 on-base percentage and .692 slugging percentage.
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As Acuna continues to thrive on base, the MLB revealed on Wednesday that Acuna will be the first confirmed participant in the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, set for July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Fans online instantly reacted to MLB's post.
"Why did you post the winner so soon?" said one user.
"Breaking: Ronald Acuna Jr announces he has won the home run derby*," another fan responded.
"Let's gooooo Ronnie!" one other user replied.
"How is it already over," said another commenter.
"He's hitting bombs fs," responded one other user.
"LETS GOOOO," another fan replied.
Atlanta Braves' right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr.Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
This will mark Acuna's third Home Run Derby appearance, following semifinal exits at stunningly narrow margins against Pete Alonso in both 2019 and 2022.
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Notably, no Braves player has ever hoisted the Derby trophy since the event's inception in 1985.
Related: Cubs Make Pete Crow-Armstrong Announcement on Thursday
Related: MLB Makes Strong Aaron Judge Statement on Sunday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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