Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves are living up to the label of favorites early in the year, but which players led the charge and who struggled in the hot opening week?
Entering the 2023 MLB season, the Atlanta Braves were circled as one of the favorites to not just compete in the National League but to win the World Series. And while NL East foes in the same conversation like the Mets and Phillies have gotten off to inauspicious starts, the Braves have come out firing on all cylinders, even with some early hardships.
Atlanta started the year winning two games in a three-game set against the Nationals but then followed that up by going to Busch Stadium and sweeping a talented St. Louis Cardinals club, winning every game by at least three runs. Now they are 5-1 as they head into their home-opener against the San Diego Padres.
With a start like that, it’s no shock to find that a lot of the Braves players have been starring to begin the season, but four in particular have been ultra-impressive. Meanwhile, there’s one outlier who has been struggling mightily out of the gate. Let’s take a look at who falls into which bucket there.
Atlanta Braves: 4 players who impressed, 1 who struggled in opening week
Ronald Acuña Jr.
RF Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuña Jr. looks back to his superstar for for the Braves
When Ronald Acuña Jr. returned from injury last year, he performed solidly, but its seemed quite obvious that he still wasn’t 100%, whether that was health, rust, or a combination remaining unknown at that point. But to start the 2023 season, he’s clearly all the way back.
Out of the gate, Acuña is slashing .370/.433/.630 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and two stolen bases in only six games. That’s impressive production and it also doesn’t take into account that he’s been a monster defensively as well.
Perhaps the best part about Acuña’s start to the season, though, is how he just looks at the plate. He’s obviously still swinging for power, but it looks controlled, smooth and patient when he’s in the box. If he keeps this up, he could be a legitimate MVP candidate, which is what the Braves always knew he could be.