CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. is back playing in the Venezuelan Winter League (LVBP) for his home club, the Tiburones de La Guaira, and he immediately received the kind of treatment reserved for baseball royalty. In a shocking move that underscored his elite status, Acuña was given the “Barry Bonds treatment” in his very first action of the 2025-2026 season.
The appearance is part of Acuña’s ramp-up for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and the anticipation in Venezuela was electric.
The Unthinkable: Intentional Walks to Start the Game
Acuña made his debut on Friday night, and the opposing manager, former MLB skipper Ozzie Guillén (managing the Tigres de Aragua), made a decision that surprised the crowd and Acuña himself:
- First At-Bat: Guillén ordered an intentional walk to Acuña to lead off the entire game.
- Third Inning: Acuña’s second plate appearance also resulted in an intentional walk.
The manager reportedly tipped his cap with a smile from the dugout, acknowledging that the decision was a mark of respect and a refusal to pitch to the National League’s 2023 MVP and 2025 Comeback Player of the Year. Acuña, for his part, initially gave a look as if to ask if they were kidding, but took his free pass.
Impact: Speed and Scoring
The superstar treatment quickly backfired on Guillén and the Tigres:
- Scoring: On the second intentional walk, Acuña immediately swiped second base, proving that even a free pass can’t contain his threat. He subsequently came around to score the game’s first run on a single by a teammate.
- Final Score: Acuña’s team, the Tiburones, went on to smack the Tigres 11-0 in a dominant victory, with Acuña driving in a run later in the game via a sacrifice groundout.
Why This Matters for the Braves
This winter ball stint is crucial for the Braves for two main reasons:
- Preparation: Acuña missed significant time in 2024 with an ACL tear and then missed more time in 2025 with Achilles inflammation. The Venezuelan Winter League reps, which the Braves granted special permission for, are intended to help him achieve a more normal offseason and be in peak shape for Spring Training 2026 and the WBC.
- The MVP Precedent: The last time Acuña participated in the winter leagues (2022-2023 season) ahead of the World Baseball Classic, he returned to MLB and had his historic 40-70 season, which culminated in the NL MVP award. Braves fans are hoping this action is a prelude to another transcendent season.
His superstar treatment is a clear sign that Acuña is back to being the dominant, electrifying force he was before his injuries.
