{"id":23809,"date":"2019-08-21T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2019-08-21T14:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=23809"},"modified":"2019-08-22T11:33:59","modified_gmt":"2019-08-22T15:33:59","slug":"the-nl-mvp-case-for-ronald-acuna-jr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/08\/21\/the-nl-mvp-case-for-ronald-acuna-jr\/","title":{"rendered":"The NL MVP Case for Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr."},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout the 2019 MLB season, one hot topic that has received plenty of hype has been the exciting National League MVP race. Even Major League Baseball themselves have been promoting this thrilling race between\u00a0Cody<\/strong> Bellinger<\/strong><\/a> and Christian Yelich<\/strong><\/a> on social media. But before the award is handed out to either of these superstars, Atlanta Braves<\/a> outfielder Ronald Acu<\/a>\u00f1<\/a>a Jr. <\/a><\/strong>has something to say about it.<\/p>\n

Acu\u00f1a has been on a tear since the All-Star break. Whether it’s been his stellar defense, illustrious swing, swiftness on the basepaths, or the energy he brings on the field, he has entered his name into the MVP discussion. So, let’s compare Acu\u00f1a’s numbers with the other NL MVP candidates \u2014 Yelich and Bellinger.<\/p>\n

The NL MVP Case for Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. vs. Cody Bellinger<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cody Bellinger 2019 stats: <\/strong>.320 BA, 42 HR, 100 RBI, 100 R, 10 SB, .418 OBP, .673 SLG, 1.091 OPS<\/p>\n

Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. 2019 stats: <\/strong>.296 BA, 35 HR, 85 RBI, 104 R, 29 SB, .376 OBP, .537 SLG, .913 OPS<\/p>\n

After Bellinger’s incredible run through March\/April, he has come back to earth. At the end of April, Bellinger was batting a ridiculous .431 with 14 HR and 37 RBI. He also posted an absurd 1.397 OPS during this time. But since April, Bellinger has cooled down to a .283 average. For Acu\u00f1a, it has been the opposite. After starting the season batting fourth, Acu\u00f1a started slow, but once he was moved back to the leadoff spot, he has thrived. Since April\/May, Acu\u00f1a is batting .301 with 29 home runs. There’s definitely something to be said about heating up when the pressure is high.<\/p>\n

Looking at the numbers, Bellinger’s OBP, SLG, and OPS are considerably better than Acu\u00f1a’s. One reason for the big difference in OBP is their disparity in the lineup. Bellinger has batted cleanup for the majority of the season, while Acu\u00f1a has batted leadoff. As a result, Acu\u00f1a does not receive the free passes that Bellinger does. Bellinger has not batted leadoff once this season and has only batted in the two-hole four games. The difference in SLG and OPS can be accredited to Bellinger’s extra-base hits. The Dodgers star has nine more doubles, one triple, and seven more home runs than Acu\u00f1a.<\/p>\n

One area of Acu\u00f1a’s game that is more dynamic than Bellinger’s is his speed. Having the knack of getting on base and then using his speed to get into scoring position is the reason Acu\u00f1a has his name in the MVP discussion. As noted in the stats above, Acu\u00f1a has 29 steals to Bellinger’s 10. Also, both Acu\u00f1a and Bellinger are exceptional outfielders and can play in either of the three outfield spots.<\/p>\n

Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. vs. Christian Yelich<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Christian Yelich 2019 stats:\u00a0<\/strong>.333 BA, 41 HR, 89 RBI, 87 R, 24 SB, .424 OBP, .693 SLG, 1.117 OPS<\/p>\n

Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. 2019 stats: <\/strong>.296 BA, 35 HR, 85 RBI, 104 R, 29 SB, .376 OBP, .537 SLG, .913 OPS<\/p>\n

Much like Bellinger, Yelich also has a big lead on Acu\u00f1a in OBP, SLG, and OPS. Yelich’s .333 average also gives him a boost in the race. Yelich tops Acu\u00f1a in home runs and runs batted in, but if he catches another hot streak, Acu\u00f1a could catch the 2018 NL MVP and make this a two-horse race with Bellinger.<\/p>\n

Yelich, much like Acu\u00f1a, has been heating up in the second half of the season. After the All-Star break, Yelich is batting .344 with 10 home runs and 22 runs batted in. Acu\u00f1a’s average in the second half (.307) isn’t as impressive as Yelich’s, but the Braves outfielder has hit four more home runs, 10 RBI, and stolen 11 more bases. Unquestionably both players have been hot when the games matter more.<\/p>\n

40\/40?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Only being one steal away from a 30\/30 season (30 HR and 30 SB), Acu\u00f1a is not far off from a 40\/40 campaign. If Acu\u00f1a is able to accomplish this feat, would that make him an automatic lock for the NL MVP award? That would certainly seem to be the case. Only four players have achieved this accomplishment in MLB history \u2014 Jose Canseco<\/a> (1988), Barry Bonds<\/a> (1996), Alex Rodriguez<\/a> (1998), and Alfonso Soriano<\/a> (2006). If the Braves phenom becomes the first player in 13 years with a 40\/40 season, expect the outfielder to become the NL MVP favorite.<\/p>\n

In a day and age where baseball is locked in on analytics and launch angle, stolen bases have gone by the wayside. So that makes Acu\u00f1a’s work on the bases that much more impressive. If Acu\u00f1a joins this exclusive club, there’s no doubt that he would become a potential favorite to take home the distinguished MVP award.<\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Whether or not Acu\u00f1a takes home this prestigious award in 2019, baseball fans should enjoy watching the superstar every time he takes the field. The same also goes for both Yelich and Bellinger. After all, talent like this doesn’t come around all that often.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>