The MLB Awards are currently underway and the Atlanta Braves have seen one of their players receive recognition for their efforts this season. Ronald Acuña Jr. made his much-anticipated return from a second torn ACL in May of this past season and hit the ground running. His efforts during his return to the field have earned him the 2025 National League Comeback Player of the Year award.
Acuña certainly seemed like the favorite to win this award after he took home the same award in the MLBPA Players Choice Awards and just like how Drake Baldwin took home the Rookie of the Year Award in both situations, Acuña has followed suit.
Acuña finished the season with a slash line of .290/.417/.518, with a wOBA of .403 and a wRC+ of 161 with 21 homers and 3.5 fWAR produced. The production was great (as usual) and he still had his share of eye-popping moments as well. Upon returning to big league action, the first swing Acuña took sent the ball into the seats for a leadoff homer. It’s the type of baseball moment that’ll send a chill down your spine.
That’s a storybook comeback moment and while one singular moment doesn’t make a season, it’s clear that Ronald Acuña Jr.‘s body of work over the course of the season was more than worthy enough of being named the NL Comeback Player of the Year. It’s also neat that Braves players have taken this award two years in a row now after Chris Sale took home the honor in 2024. Still, it’s a great achievement for Acuña and something to build on as his career continues.