Who is Ronald Acuña Jr.? All the data, home runs, and history of the Venezuelan baseball player

Santo Domingo.- With a smile that reflected pride and emotion, Ronald Acuña Jr. received at his home a Detroit Tigers jersey with the number 24 and the last name “Cabrera” on the back. That gift carried a special dedication: “For ‘El Abusador’, Ronald Acuña Jr. from Miguel Cabrera”. It was not just a gift: it was a symbol of generational succession in Venezuelan baseball. Miguel Cabrera, a living legend of Major League Baseball, saw in Acuña his natural heir.

Origins: La Guaira, Venezuela

Ronald José Acuña Jr. was born on December 18, 1997, in La Guaira, Venezuela. He grew up in a family where baseball was not only a passion but also part of the family's DNA. His father and grandfather played professionally, although they did not make it to the Major Leagues. Ronald took on that unfulfilled dream as his own. From a young age, he idolized Miguel Cabrera, who debuted in MLB when Acuña was only six years old. Nicknames: “The Abuser”, “The Savannah Guy”
Height: 1.83 meters
Weight: 82 kg
Bat/Throw: Right
MLB Team: Atlanta Braves
MLB Debut: April 25, 2018

From promise to reality

In 2014, at just 16 years old, he was signed as an international free agent by the Atlanta Braves. On April 25, 2018, he made his debut in the Major Leagues, fulfilling his dream at 20 years old, the same age at which Cabrera had debuted years ago. Acuña made an immediate impact. He was named National League Rookie of the Year after a spectacular debut season: 26 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a .293 batting average. A year later, in 2019, he was invited to his first All-Star Game after only 190 games in MLB. That season he finished as the leader in runs scored (137) and stolen bases (37), in addition to adding 41 home runs.

Unique Skills in the Diamond

Ronald Acuña Jr. has proven to be a complete player:

• Offensive Power: Great abdominal strength and technique allow for an explosive swing.
• Speed: Aggressive and explosive style on the bases, compared to American football runners.
• Defense: Powerful arm and outstanding ground coverage from the outfield.

These qualities have made him stand out as one of the best gardeners in today's baseball.

MLB Statistics (2018 - 2022

Temporada	Juegos	Hits	Carreras	Impulsadas	HR	Prom. bateo
2018	111	127	78	64	26	.293
2019	156	175	127	101	41	.280
2020*	46	38	46	29	14	.250
2021	82	84	72	52	24	.283
2022	119	124	71	49	15	.266
Total	514	550	394	296	120	.283

* Season shortened by pandemic.

Knee injuries limited his participation in 2021 and part of 2022, but he still maintained a high level of play.

Ronald Acuña Jr.'s Home Runs through June 2023

Ronald has demonstrated an impressive combination of contact and power. As of June 2023, he has a total of 132 home runs in MLB, with the following numbers per season:

• 2018: 26 HR
• 2019: 41 HR
• 2020: 14 HR
• 2021: 24 HR
• 2022: 15 HR
• 2023: 12 HR (until June)

He has hit home runs in 22 different stadiums, with the Miami Marlins being his favorite victim with 24 home runs. He has recorded nine multiple-home run games and has distributed his blasts mainly towards left field (42), center field (32), and right field (24).

The Future of Venezuelan Baseball

Ronald Acuña Jr. has taken the symbolic baton that Miguel Cabrera passed to him. With youth, talent, charisma and dedication, he is projected as the new face of Venezuelan baseball and a dominant figure in MLB for years.