Ronald Acuña Jr. during a match against the San Diego Padres.
Photo: Sean M Haffey/Getty Images
Venezuelan outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. aims high in 2023 and after a great start to the season in the Major Leagues this Wednesday he won the Player of the Month award in the National League.
Acuña Jr. topped the lists for almost every major league record and was also a constant threat for his on-base speed, excelling at stealing bases.
Overall Rookie of the Year in 2018 He posted a solid .352 average while totaling 13 stolen bases, projecting more than 60 steals at the end of the MLB regular season.
Similarly Acuña had 38 hits, posted a .986 OPS as well as hit four home runs and drove in 14 runs. to win the distinction, surpassing other Venezuelans with a great start such as Luis Arráez (leader in average in all the Major Leagues) or Thairo Estrada.
However, Acuña’s great moment was stopped last Monday, May 1, when he was hit by a ball on the left shoulder that took him out of the match against the New York Mets, but although he expected to be taken day by day, this Tuesday he returned to the lineup. .
curiously, also on May 3 but of 2021 Acuña Jr. had also been recognized with the Player of the Month award. On that occasion he had hit .341 with six doubles, a triple and eight home runs, scoring 25 runs and driving in 18 in 24 games.
In the American League, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman also clinched the Player of the Month award thanks to a solid .384 batting with five home runs, 21 RBIs and a 1.152 OPS.
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