While Shohei Ohtani seems to be the runaway leader in the American League MVP race, the National League is enjoying one of the more competitive MVP battles we’ve seen in years with Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mookie Betts using this weekend’s series as a showcase to voters.
And just when Betts took the lead in some betting markets, Acuña Jr. had himself an “I took that personally” kind of series.
On Thursday, Acuña became the first player in MLB history with at least 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases in the same season. He followed that up with another home run on Friday. But come Saturday, he wasn’t done.
454 FEET 🤯@ronaldacunajr24 homers for the third straight game.
Another MVP statement. pic.twitter.com/AahiK9kyd5
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 3, 2023
Batting in the third inning with a 3-0 count against Dodgers rookie Emmet Sheehan, Acuña demolished a fastball to straightaway center field. And when I say demolished, I’m not kidding.
According to Statcast, Acuña hit a 454-foot home run with an exit velocity of 121.2 mph (and a 19-degree launch angle!). It was the hardest hit ball by any player this MLB season, and it was the sixth-highest EV in the Statcast era. Out of home runs, only Giancarlo Stanton has hit a ball harder (he has home runs of 121.7 mph and 121.3 mph).
At 121.2 MPH, Ronald Acuña Jr. now has the 3rd hardest-hit home run in the Statcast Era! 💪
(MLB x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/q6qKB3MhHe
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2023
Acuña knew he had to make a statement this weekend to recapture the lead in the MVP race, and it’s safe to say that he exceeded even the loftiest of expectations at Dodger Stadium. Fans were in complete awe of that home run.
This was how Twitter reacted
He’s in his own league https://t.co/6BkgMStr7O
— Colin Summerhill (@SummerhillColin) September 3, 2023
Not sure I have ever heard a ball off a bat sound quite like this… https://t.co/QOlqnLdvFt
— Paul T. Graham (@PaulTGraham) September 3, 2023
MVP SEASOÑ 🐐 https://t.co/AqOlVL6MTb
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) September 3, 2023
For everybody watching football, please take a moment and appreciate this absolute missile https://t.co/EF4WkGvTg5
— Doug Ziefel (@DougZiefel) September 3, 2023
121.2 is absolutely insane. Like he’s a freak https://t.co/jSAZQNb1ov
— Thomas Reddin (@thomasreddin2) September 3, 2023
The MVP race is ending this weekend. https://t.co/EP4GfVYv7E
— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) September 3, 2023
This might be the most perfect swing/contact in the history of baseball. https://t.co/nlGcGs6Wsx
— Drew Ramos (@sportsjunky8) September 3, 2023
It just sounded different https://t.co/FV35K6P5yB
— Jameson Bouldin (@JamesonBouldin) September 3, 2023
The guy is 6’0 190lbs 🤯 https://t.co/WkdNv8sXZn
— All Aces Cards (@AllAcesCards) September 3, 2023
Listen to the sound off that 😭 https://t.co/oK8UeZX6I3
— Chimaek (@awwhalenawl) September 3, 2023
https://t.co/QQ18XURuyS pic.twitter.com/ues1gz28ly
— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) September 3, 2023
MY MVPPPP https://t.co/iPPvHJbmhi
— CJaay👨🏽🔬 (@CJaayBets) September 3, 2023
An MVP moment if there ever was one.
