For years, MLB scouts and fans have been fascinated by power and speed.
They are seen as the two elements that can affect a game the most from an offensive standpoint.
Speed is useful for stolen bases, getting the extra base, and increasing scoring chances.
Power, of course, means running and driving equal money.
Players who have speed and power are universally celebrated and recognized.
That’s why Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. doing in the 2023 campaign is so impressive.
Not only does he already have 62 (!) combined home runs and stolen bases at the halfway point of the season, but he’s also established a power-speed record.
“Today is the 13th game in a row that Ronald Acuña Jr. from @Courageous has either hit a home run or stolen a base. It’s the longest hitting streak by any MLB player in the modern era, surpassing 12 straight by Oakland’s Bert Campaneris in 1969 (all on stolen bases),” OptaSTATS tweeted.
Today is the 13th game in a row that Ronald Acuña Jr @Courageous has either hit a home run or stolen a base.
It is the longest hitting streak by any MLB player in the modern era, surpassing 12 straight by Oakland’s Bert Campaneris in 1969 (all on stolen bases). pic.twitter.com/Rc56LaNTak
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) 5 July 2023
The record that Acuna just eclipsed belonged to Bert Campaneris, who did it exclusively with stolen bases in 12 consecutive games.
However, Acuna has combined for home runs and steals, which makes it even more impressive.
Speedsters usually don’t have Acuna’s power; and power hitters rarely have above average speed.
Acuna has the best of both worlds, with 21 homers and 41 stolen bases so far.
Most amazing of all, he hasn’t sacrificed an iota of batting average in the process: he’s hitting an incredible .337/.415/.598.
Acuna is on his way to his first MVP award.
NEXT:
The Braves have set a powerful MLB history
