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Ronald Acuna Jr. Breaks Atlanta Braves Record

 Matt Tallarini  |    Apr 23rd, 2024 1:00pm EDT

Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of Atlanta Braves reacts after stealing second during the first inning. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

Venezuelan right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. passed former Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal for most stolen bases, with 190, since the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966.

While Acuna’s 190 stolen bases are an Atlanta Braves record, Boston Braves shortstop Herman Long, who played with the franchise from 1890-1902, has the most stolen bases in the franchise with 433.

Acuna tied Furcal’s stolen base record on April 20 at home against the Texas Rangers in their 5-2 win. He stole third base on a double steal attempt, with center fielder Michael Harris II stealing second base during third baseman Austin Riley’s at-bat.

Acuna, 26, was born in La Guaira, Venezuela, and has played in Major League Baseball since making his debut with Atlanta on April 25, 2018, at home against the Cincinnati Reds.

Acuna has been a four-time All-Star in 2019 and from 2021-23, won the National League MVP in 2023, won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2018, won the NL Hank Aaron Award in 2023, a three-time Silver Slugger Award from 2019-20 and 2023, and led the NL twice in stolen base in  2019 and 2023.

During the 2024 season, Acuna has played in 21 games and is hitting .293 with 98 plate appearances, smacking 24 hits, four doubles, one home run, six RBI, swiping 10 bases, 13 walks, and 23 strikeouts.

In spring training, he played in 11 games and batted .276 with 32 plate appearances, smacking eight hits, three doubles, six RBI, two walks, and six strikeouts.

Acuna played in 21 games with the Tiburones de La Guaira in the 2023-24 Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional regular season and batted .380 with 104 plate appearances, dialing 30 hits, six doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 19 RBI, 22 walks, and 19 strikeouts.

Last season, Acuna led the majors with 149 runs scored, 217 hits, 73 stolen bases, and a 416 OBP.

In 2023, Acuna played in 159 games, batting .337, and smacked 35 doubles, four triples, 41 home runs, 106 RBI, 80 walks, 84 strikeouts, and led the NL with a 1.012 OPS.

Acuna has played 694 games in his seven MLB seasons, with 3,130 plate appearances and a lifetime average of .292. He has ripped 791 hits, 141 doubles, 11 triples, 162 home runs, 408 RBI, 190 stolen bases, 354 walks, 689 strikeouts, and a .914 OPS.