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Ronald Acuna Jr. is exactly what the Atlanta Braves have needed.
In just his second game back from last year’s torn ACL, Acuna launched his second home run of the season, sending San Diego Padres right-handed relief pitcher Alek Jacob’s 70 mph sweeper 427 feet to left centerfield to give the Braves a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Braves went on to win, 7-1.
Per Baseball Savant data, it was the hardest hit ball of the game, leaving Acuna’s bat at 111 mph, and would have been a home run in all 30 MLB ballparks.
Acuna, the 2023 NL MVP, has returned from injury without missing a beat. According to Baseball Savant, his average bat speed during his Friday debut was 78.5 mph. Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz leads the majors with a 78.9 mph average bat speed.
Acuna’s bat speed eclipsed 75 mph, which is the threshold for being defined as a “fast swing,” during his final four at-bats Saturday. Acuna struck out looking on his first at-bat.
The Braves entered Saturday 12th in the National League (NL) in runs scored (206), ahead of only the Marlins, Rockies and Pirates, the league’s three worst teams.
Atlanta’s lack of offense was part of the reason the team struggled out of the gate. The Braves were shut out three times in their first nine games, going 1-8.
Since falling to 5-13 on Apr. 16, the Braves are 20-13 in their past 33 games to salvage their season. With over 100 games remaining, Atlanta has plenty of time to get back into the playoff race.
Following the win, it’s eight games back of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies and four behind the Padres for the NL’s last wild-card spot.
It’s a long shot — Baseball Reference gives Atlanta a 15.6 percent chance to make the postseason — but at least the Braves have their best player back and firing on all cylinders as they make a push.
