Ronald Acuña Jr. of the host Atlanta Braves was introduced Wednesday as the primary of the eight hitters to compete within the All-Star Residence Run Derby at Atlanta’s Truist Park on July 14. Acuña, who homered on the primary pitch of his Could 23 return to the Braves following a torn left ACL, will likely be within the derby for the third time.
“I am simply completely happy to announce that I will be taking part on this yr’s Residence Run Derby, and I am much more excited to be doing it at residence in Atlanta in entrance of our followers,” Acuña told ESPN through an interpreter. “They seem to be a huge purpose I am doing this. I am Ronald Acuna Jr. due to their help. I am simply excited to return and residential and do that for them.”
He misplaced to the New York Mets‘ Pete Alonso 20-19 within the semifinals in 2019 after opening with a 25-18 victory over Josh Bell of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He misplaced to Alonso once more in 2022, falling 20-19 within the first spherical at Dodger Stadium.
Acuña has been one of many league’s finest hitters since he made his season debut in Could. He is hitting .385 with 9 residence runs, 16 RBIs and a 1.188 OPS in 29 video games this season getting into Wednesday. His batting common and residential run whole are the second-best in baseball since Could 23, whereas his on-base share (.496) is the very best over that stretch.
As Acuña will search to proceed his sizzling begin to the season getting into the All-Star break, he’ll additionally look to turn into the primary participant in Braves historical past to win the Residence Run Derby.
“I really feel just like the expectation and the objective is at all times to win, it doesn’t matter what,” Acuña stated. “However greater than something, I am simply excited to do it in entrance of our followers and placed on a very good present for them.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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