Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. turned into the fifth participant in Major League Baseball history to document a minimum of 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a unmarried season Friday, when he introduced his 40th home run in opposition to the Nationals to steer off the sport. Additionally, he turned into the primary participant in American/National League history to document a minimum of 40 home runs and 60 stolen bases, in step with CBS Sports HQ’s analysis staff.
Here’s a have a look at the historical home run in all its transferring image glory:
Acuña, 25, entered Friday’s contest batting .335/.414/.592 (167 OPS+) with 39 home runs, 100 RBI, and 68 stolen bases (on 81 makes an attempt). His contributions were value an estimated 7.8 Wins Above Replacement, consistent with Baseball Reference’s calculations.
Acuña’s 40/40 season joins the ones in the past notched via Alfonso Soriano (2006), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Barry Bonds (1996), and Jose Canseco (1988). The Braves slugger in the past flirted with a 40/40 season again in 2019. He completed that marketing campaign with 41 home runs and 37 stolen bases, giving him the nearest near-miss season since Matt Kemp fell a home run in need of 40-40 in 2011.
It’s to be observed how electorate price Acuña’s historical accomplishments in the approaching NL Most Valuable Player Award voting. He’s regarded as to be probably the most favorites to win the {hardware}, with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts serving as his most sensible festival. (Betts’ subsequent home run, via the way in which, can also be his 40th of the season.) Of the 4 earlier 40-40 seasons, just one (Canseco’s) resulted in an MVP award. Bonds completed fifth, Soriano completed 6th, and Rodriguez completed 9th in voting, suggesting Acuña isn’t essentially a shoo-in to win.