November 1, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – Ronald Acuña Jr. is done waiting. After a 2025 season marred by a late start (knee rehab) and a mid-July Achilles scare that sidelined him just two weeks, the Atlanta Braves’ five-time All-Star is cleared by the team to play winter ball in Venezuela — and represent his country in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The goal? Reclaim the unanimous NL MVP magic from 2023, when he invented the 40/70 club and dominated like no one else.
“The last time #Braves RF Ronald Acuña Jr. participated in the World Baseball Classic, he went on to become the unanimous National League MVP that season. If you’re into that sort of thing.” — Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley), October 28, 2025
2025: The Comeback That Wasn’t Full
Acuña returned in late May post-ACL rehab, immediately earning his fifth All-Star nod. Despite the Achilles inflammation in July, he finished strong — flashing MVP bursts in a chaotic Braves season that ended without October.
2025 Stats (Post-Return): .298/.382/.522, 18 HR, 45 RBI, 28 SB in 98 games
wRC+: 148 (elite when healthy)
Games Missed: 60+ (knee + Achilles)
“The MVP-level performance is still in there,” insiders say. “He just needs 162 games.”
Winter Ball + WBC = 2023 MVP Blueprint?
The last time Acuña played winter ball and the WBC (2023)? He exploded into baseball’s most electric season ever:
2023 Stat
Value
MLB Rank
AVG/OBP/SLG
.337/.416/.596
1st / 1st / 1st
HR
41
T-3rd
SB
73
1st
RBI
106
Top 10
wRC+
171
1st
WAR
8.3
1st
He became the first 40/70 player in history — and unanimous MVP.
“Meaningful games in winter sharpen the edge,” one coach said. “Spring training is fake. WBC is real.”
2026 Vision: Full Health, Full Fire
Winter Ball: Limited innings in Venezuela (likely Tiburones de La Guaira) — focus on timing, basepaths, health
WBC 2026: Venezuela’s leadoff star — high-stakes reps vs. elite arms
Braves Plan: Load management in spring; DH flexibility to protect knees
With Michael Harris II locked in CF and Charlie Morton returning for depth, a fully unleashed Acuña makes Atlanta NL favorites.
The Final Verdict: History Repeats?
2023 wasn’t a fluke. It was preparation meeting destiny.
Winter ball. WBC. 40/70 2.0?
Ronald Acuña Jr. isn’t just coming back.He’s reloading.
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