Page 63 - 2021 ATL Media Guide

RONALD ACUÑA JR.
• One of his leadoff home runs came on • His 18.8% walk rate was fourth in the
8/26 in Game 1 of a doubleheader against majors, trailing Washington’s Juan Soto FRONT OFFICE
the Yankees…He took Gerrit Cole deep, (20.9%), Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper
hitting a homer that traveled a projected (20.1%) and New York-AL’s Aaron Hicks
473 feet, the second longest of his career, (19.4%)...This total was nearly double his
and the second longest by a Braves player previous career best (10.6% in 2019).
in the Statcast era (since ’15). • Drew a walk in a career-most six straight
• His only longer career home run was games, from 8/2-8.
another leadoff homer, on 9/25 off • Reached base safely four or more times in five MANAGER & STAFF
Boston’s Chris Mazza…It went to the back games this season, one off the major-league lead
row of the left-field bleachers, traveling held by four players including teammate Freddie
a projected 495 feet, the longest homer Freeman…Since his debut year in 2018, he has
in the majors in 2020 and the farthest reached safely in a game at least four times on 35
homer ever hit at Truist Park…There occasions.
have been just four longer homers since • Played in his 300th career game on 9/12 at
Statcast was introduced – Nomar Mazara, Washington…Had 78 home runs and 58 stolen
505 feet in 2019, Giancarlo Stanton, 504 bases at the time of the game…Is the only player RONALD ACUÑA JR.
feet in 2016, Aaron Judge, 496 feet in in major-league history to reach 75 home runs
2017 and Miguel Sanó, 496 feet in 2019. and 50 stolen bases by his 300th career game.
• Half of his home runs (7) came in six • Had career bests in average exit velocity (92.4)
doubleheader games…He twice hit three and hard-hit rate (57.0%), the latter of which was
home runs in a doubleheader, doing fourth in the majors, trailing just Fernando Tatis
so on 8/9 at Philadelphia and 9/4 vs. Jr (62.2%), Travis d’Arnaud (57.8%) and Miguel
Washington…He is first Braves player to hit Sanó (57.3%).
three homers in a doubleheader twice in a • In the Braves’ record-setting 29-9 win over Miami SEASON IN REVIEW
season since Joe Torre in 1965 and 1967.
on 9/9, had a single, double, home run, three
• Before Acuña Jr., the last Braves player walks and drove in a single-game career-best
with three home runs in a doubleheader five…Became just the fourth player in the N.L.
was OF David Justice on 8/7/90 vs. San since 1901 to record at least three hits, three
Diego…Justice hit a solo homer in game walks and five RBI in a game, and the first to do
one, before going 4-for-4 with two so since Cincinnati’s Sean Casey on 5/19/99 at
homers in the nightcap...Justice also hit Colorado (4 H, 3 BB, 6 RBI, 5 R). PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
two more home runs the following day… • Missed 10 games with left wrist inflammation…
Acuña Jr. has now homered in both ends Was sidelined from 8/12-25…The Braves were just
of a doubleheader three times in his 5-5 (.500) in those games…Conversely, Atlanta
career (also, 8/13/18 against Miami).
went 30-20 (.667) in all other games.
• Featured among his 14 home runs were • Made his second career Opening Day start…
his 70th and 80th career homers…His At 22, became the youngest Braves OF to start
70th came in Game 2 of a doubleheader consecutive Opening Day games since Andruw
on 8/9 at the Phillies, in his 248th career Jones, who started three straight from 1997-99 BRAVES HISTORY
game…He became the third quickest (Age 19-21).
player to 70 home runs by games played
in franchise history, trailing Bob Horner 2020 POSTSEASON
(260 games) and Eddie Mathews (283).
• In 12 postseason games, hit .217/.333/.370 (10-
• He hit his 80th homer on 9/20 at New for-46) with four doubles, one home run, three
York-NL, in his 307th game…Only six RBI, seven walks and 10 runs scored.
players in the history of the game reached OPPONENTS
that total in fewer games played (Joe • His four doubles were the most by a
DiMaggio, Bob Horner, Ryan Howard, Braves outfielder in a single postseason.
Aaron Judge, Chuck Klein and Gary • Started Atlanta’s first six games in center
Sánchez). field and the club’s final six games in right
• Drew 38 walks, tied for the sixth most in the N.L., field.
despite playing in fewer games than everyone
ahead of him on that list…Acuña had 23 walks in
September, the fourth most in the league. MISCELLANEOUS

2021 ATLANTA BRAVES MEDIA GUIDE 63