Ronald Acuna Jr. continues to make history by hitting his fifth home run in six games, the fourth youngest player in history to achieve that feat.
Ronald Acuna Jr. continues his impressive rookie season by making more history at the hands of the hapless Miami Marlins.
During the Atlanta Braves’ 9-1 demolition of the Marlins, Acuna ripped a leadoff home run into the stands at Suntrust Park, making him the fourth-youngest player in MLB history to hit five home runs in a span of six games.
Who was the third-youngest? Al Kaline, who achieved the same feat way back in 1955.
He also pulled off another rare feat later, leading off the second game of the doubleheader with, you guessed it, another dinger.
Acuna Jr. had always had star power written all over him, and when the Braves called him up early in the season, you could just feel that there was something special about this kid. He has ignited a fire within the storied franchise, one that was in the midst of a rebuilding phase prior to this season.
The young rookie has dramatically changed the fortunes in Atlanta, pushing the rebuild forward at least two years and, in the same process, making this team a dark horse to compete for the World Series. In a National League, that’s kind of soft around the edges, there is no reason why Acuna Jr. nor anyone in that clubhouse could think that they have a shot.
To be honest, the “Baby Braves” are probably a year away from seriously contending for the crown, but the 2018 edition is sure fun to watch, thanks primarily to the play of Acuna Jr. (and fellow young star Ozzie Albies). This kid is not disappointing the baseball world, and you can’t fault anyone to think that he could be the frontrunner for the NL MVP award in 2019.