The Atlanta Braves, like everyone else around Major League Baseball, watched in awe on Thursday as history unfolded.
The incomparable Shohei Ohtani, a surefire bet to win National League Most Valuable Player this season, reached 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same game against the Miami Marlins, entering power-speed territory that was previously uncharted.
It was a remarkable feat for Ohtani, who, as a reminder, will return to the pitcher’s mound in 2025 as well. But the Braves have their own MVP who set power-speed records only a season ago, and there could be a chance that he chases down Ohtani someday.
David Adler of MLB.com named Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. as one of the most likely players to join Ohtani in the 50-50 club someday.
“Ohtani might have created the 50-50 club, but Acuña did the same with the 40-70 club,” Adler said. “The Braves superstar finished with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases in his ’23 MVP campaign, making him the first player in MLB history to reach 40-70.”
“So when Acuña recovers from his torn ACL and returns next season, he’s as likely as any player to challenge for the 50-50 club. He just needs to pick up where he left off.”
The hype around Ohtani’s chase of 50-50 has exceeded that of Acuña’s 40-70 season, but that’s because no one can match the great Shohei in sheer star power. Acuña will be just 27 in 2025, and ready to remind everyone why he was the MVP in the first place.
No one would be foolish enough to question Acuña’s ability to set any power-speed mark when healthy. The question is whether or not he will be confident enough in his surgically repaired knee to steal as frequently as he has in the past.
Whether that happens in 2025 or beyond, though, Adler is right that Acuña has already proven his ability to accomplish Ohtani-like feats. If anyone else is going to reach 50-50, Acuña seems like the safest bet.
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