Ronald Acuña Jr. Breaks Atlanta Braves Franchise Stolen Base Record

Ronald Acuña Jr., the reigning National League MVP, has established a new franchise mark for the Atlanta Braves with 190 career stolen bases. On April 22, 2024, Acuña stole his 190th base with the Braves in the first inning of a 3-0 win over the Miami Marlins, surpassing the previous Atlanta era record of 189 held by Rafael Furcal. "I usually get notified when I'm approaching a record, but this one caught me by surprise," Acuña said of the milestone.

The 24-year-old outfielder, who recorded the first 40-homer, 70-steal season in MLB history in 2023, is now just 50 stolen bases away from tying franchise legend Hank Aaron's Modern Era franchise record of 240 swiped bags. Despite a slow start offensively this season, with just one home run through the first 21 games, Acuña has continued to be a constant threat on the basepaths, leading the Majors in stolen bases since his debut in 2018.

Braves manager Brian Snitker noted that the new MLB rules implemented ahead of the 2023 season, which encourage more stolen base attempts, have not diminished the significance of Acuña's stolen base totals. "I think it's a big deal," Snitker said. "He's an exciting player and that's part of his game."

In the same game, Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud hit his fifth home run in four games, and starting pitcher Bryce Elder pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in his return from the minors to earn the win. The Braves' bullpen, including Pierce Johnson, A.J. Minter, and Raisel Iglesias, completed the shutout, marking Atlanta's first of the season.

Why this matters: Ronald Acuña Jr.'s record-breaking performance highlights his impact on the Braves' success and his status as one of the most dynamic players in the game today. As the reigning NL MVP continues to make history, his achievements are drawing attention to the excitement and potential of the current era of baseball.

Acuña, who was unaware he was approaching the stolen base record until after he had broken it, expressed his desire to remain healthy and continue breaking records while helping the team win. The four-time All-Star's combination of power and speed has made him a standout player since his MLB debut, and his latest milestone solidifies his place in Braves history. As Acuña chases down more franchise records, his performances will remain a focal point for the Braves and baseball fans around the world.

Key Takeaways

• Ronald Acuña Jr. set a new Atlanta Braves franchise record with 190 career stolen bases.
• Acuña is now 50 stolen bases away from tying the franchise's Modern Era record of 240.
• Acuña recorded the first 40-homer, 70-steal season in MLB history in 2023.
• Braves manager Brian Snitker noted the significance of Acuña's stolen base totals.
• Acuña's record-breaking performance highlights his status as one of baseball's most dynamic players.