Career Timeline of Ronald Acuña Jr.: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ronald Acuña Jr. made an impact.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the Atlanta Braves in MLB. He signed with the Braves in 2014 as an international free agent and made his major league debut in 2018. Acuña quickly established himself as a prominent player, earning the National League Rookie of the Year Award in his debut season.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1920: Youngest player since 1920 to Homer in Four Straight Games

On August 13, 2018, Acuña became the youngest player since 1920 to hit a home run in four straight games

1966: Braves Move to Atlanta

The Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, since then there were a number of steals until April 22, 2024 when Acuña set a franchise record in steals

1991: Breaks Modern-Era Steals Record

On September 30, 2023, Acuña broke the Braves' modern-era steals record set by Otis Nixon in 1991. Nixon had no home runs that season.

July 2014: Acuña Signs with the Atlanta Braves

In July 2014, Acuña signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent for $100,000.

2015: Professional Debut in 2015

In 2015, Acuña made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Braves and was promoted to the Danville Braves that same season. He played 55 games, batting .269 with four home runs, 18 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases.

2016: 2016 Season and ABL All-Star

In 2016, Acuña played 42 games combined between the Gulf Coast Braves and Rome Braves, hitting .312/.392/.429 with four home runs and 19 RBIs. After the season, he was named an ABL All-Star playing for the Melbourne Aces of the Australian Baseball League.

2017: Acuña Wins AFL MVP

After the 2017 minor league season, Acuña joined the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). He played 23 games, hitting .325/.414/.639 with seven home runs, and won the league championship and MVP honors, becoming the youngest AFL MVP.

2017: 2017 Season and All-Star Futures Game

In 2017, Acuña made his first Grapefruit League appearances and started the year with the Florida Fire Frogs before being promoted to the Mississippi Braves. He was named to the All-Star Futures Game roster in July and played the whole game. Afterward, he joined the Gwinnett Braves, debuting against the Charlotte Knights with a home run. He finished the year hitting .325/.374/.522 with 21 homers, 82 RBIs and 44 stolen bases in 139 games.

2017: First Player Since 2017 to Steal 50 Bases

On July 29, 2023, Acuña stole his 50th base, becoming the first player since 2017 to reach the mark, and becoming the first player in MLB history to join the 20–50 club, hitting 20 home runs and 50 stolen bases, before August.

March 19, 2018: Reassigned to Minor League Camp in 2018

Despite a strong spring training performance in 2018 with a .432 average and four home runs, Acuña was reassigned to minor league camp on March 19, 2018. He then reported to the Gwinnett Stripers to begin the 2018 season.

April 25, 2018: Acuña's MLB Debut

On April 25, 2018, the Braves promoted Acuña to the major leagues, making him the youngest player in MLB at the time. He wore number 13 and collected his first career hit off Kevin Shackelford against the Cincinnati Reds, scoring the game-tying run in a 5–4 victory.

August 13, 2018: Home Run Record

On August 13, 2018, while playing against the Miami Marlins, Acuña became the fourth player in MLB history to hit a home run to lead off both games of a doubleheader. He also homered in his last four games, becoming the youngest player since 1920 to accomplish this feat.

September 22, 2018: 25-15 Season at 20 or Below

On September 22, 2018, Acuña recorded his fifteenth stolen base, becoming the fourth player in MLB history to record a 25–15 season while aged 20 or below, joining Alex Rodriguez, Orlando Cepeda, and Mike Trout.

April 2, 2019: Acuña Signs $100 Million Contract

On April 2, 2019, Acuña and the Braves agreed to an eight-year contract worth $100 million, including team options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. At age 21, he became the youngest player in baseball history to sign a contract worth at least $100 million.

June 2019: All-Star Game Selection and Home Run Derby Invitation in 2019

By June 2019, Acuña had garnered significant attention for his power hitting. He was named a starting outfielder for the National League in the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and was invited to participate in that year's Home Run Derby.

2019: 2019 Season Stats and Silver Slugger Award

In 2019, Acuña hit .280/.365/.518 with 127 runs, 41 home runs, and 37 stolen bases. He led the National League in runs and stolen bases and the major leagues in power-speed number. Acuña and his teammates won the 2019 National League Silver Slugger Awards.

2019: Joins 30-30 Club Again

On August 31, 2023, Acuña joined the 30–30 club for the second time in his career (first in 2019) by hitting a grand slam for his 30th home run of the season. He also became the first player in MLB history to record 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases in the same season in 2023.

2019: Milestones in 2019

Throughout the 2019 season, Acuña achieved significant milestones. He joined the 30–30 club on August 24 and became the second-youngest player to reach that mark. On September 19, he became the youngest major leaguer to enter the 40–30 club. Due to a minor injury, he rested for the remainder of the regular season.

2020: Acuña follows in Freeman's footsteps

Acuña won that year's Hank Aaron Award for the NL respectively in 2023, Acuña was the first Brave to win the Hank Aaron Award since Freddie Freeman in 2020.

2020: 2020 Season and Silver Slugger Award

During the 2020 season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Acuña hit a 495-foot home run against the Red Sox, the longest MLB home run that year. He batted .250/.406/.581 with 14 home runs. He was awarded his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award.

July 10, 2021: Leg Injury Ends 2021 Season

On July 10, 2021, Acuña suffered a season-ending leg injury while trying to field a fly ball, tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament. Prior to the injury, he had hit .283/.394/.596 with 24 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 82 games in 2021.

July 11, 2022: Participated in 2022 Home Run Derby

On July 11, 2022, it was announced that Acuña would participate in the 2022 Home Run Derby.

July 3, 2023: First to 40 Stolen Bases, 20 Home Runs, and 50 RBIs Before All-Star Break

On July 3, 2023, Acuña became the first player in MLB history to tally 40 stolen bases, 20 home runs, and 50 RBIs before the All-Star break.

2023: Awards and Recognition in 2023

Acuña finished the 2023 regular season leading Major League Baseball in hits, runs, total bases, and steals. He received a National League Silver Slugger Award, the National League Most Valuable Player award, and the Hank Aaron Award. He was also named to the All-MLB First Team along with teammates Austin Riley and Spencer Strider.

2023: Acuña's Historic 2023 Season

In 2023, Acuña became the fifth MLB member of the 40–40 club, set a modern-era franchise record with 73 stolen bases, and became the first MLB player to accomplish a 40–70 season. He also won the 2023 National League Most Valuable Player Award.

2023: Acuña Named NL Player of the Month Twice

In 2023, Acuña was named the NL Player of the Month for April after hitting .352/.440/.546 with 13 stolen bases. He also led the league in multi-hit games in April. He also received the most votes of any player in the National League. In addition, Acuña was named the NL Player of the Month for June after slashing .356/.429/.683 with nine home runs and 14 stolen bases.

April 22, 2024: Franchise Record in Steals

On April 22, 2024, Acuña recorded his 190th career stolen base, setting a franchise record in steals since the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966.

2024: Acuña Suffers Season-Ending Injury

On May 26, 2024, Ronald Acuña Jr. sustained a complete tear in his left anterior cruciate ligament while taking a lead from second base against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2024 season. Up to that point, he had played 49 games and recorded a batting average of .250, with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs.

May 23, 2025: Acuña Returns and Hits Home Run

On May 23, 2025, Acuña returned to action after recovering from injury and hit a home run on the first pitch of the game against San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta. In the same game on May 23, 2025, he went 2-for-4, had an RBI, and recorded an outfield assist by getting Elías Díaz out at second base.