Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 2025 season had its challenges. It’s fair to say that it was far from perfect, partly because he didn’t even play the whole year. Still, it stood out to some. After facing the tough setback of a second torn ACL, Acuña returned to the Atlanta Braves lineup with the flair and energy fans expect from one of baseball’s brightest stars. In just 95 games, the 27-year-old showed the league why he is still central to Atlanta’s championship hopes, even in a year when the Braves missed the playoffs for the first time in his career.

Stats Don’t Lie: Acuña Still Dominates When Healthy

Make no mistake, Acuña didn’t simply return—he reasserted his dominance. A .290 batting average, a blistering .417 on-base percentage, and a .935 OPS punctuated by 21 home runs is more than a comeback. And with those stats, the MLB Players Association definitely noticed, naming Acuña the 2025 National League Comeback Player of the Year. This award, chosen by his fellow players, means even more because it recognizes not just his stats but also the determination and strength it took to return.

The Braves, meanwhile, celebrated both Acuña and catcher Drake Baldwin—who was named Outstanding Rookie—as rare silver linings in a difficult campaign. For Atlanta, 2025 was a year of frustration. A franchise that used to contend fell miserably short this season. But as the curtain closes, the spotlight remains squarely on Acuña—not just for what he’s accomplished, but for what still lies ahead.

Acuña’s Contract Continues to Be a Steal for the Braves

Even now, Acuña’s career looks like something most players can only dream about: NL MVP, Rookie of the Year, five All-Star selections, and three Silver Slugger awards. He’s still playing under his eight-year, $100 million contract, which he signed in 2019, giving the Braves one of the league’s top talents for years to come. Many see this contract as one of the best deals in baseball, showing both Acuña’s early potential and Atlanta’s smart planning for the future.

2026 Could Mark a Full-Strength Return

Injuries have slowed him down, but they haven’t stopped him. Now, with a full offseason to recover and train, Ronald Acuña Jr. is not just getting ready to return; he’s aiming to take over. The 2026 season could be his first full year in three seasons, and if the past is any indication, he’s ready to make up for lost time in a big way.