As opening day inches closer, Atlanta Braves fans are excited to watch superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. take the field once again. Before featuring in MLB action, however, the outfielder is set to represent the Venezuelan baseball team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Captained by legendary catcher Salvador Perez, the Venezuelan roster boasts talented players such as Maikel Garcia, Wilyer Abreu, and Jackson Chourio, alongside Acuna.
Speaking to insider Mark Bowman of MLB.com on Friday, Acuna exuded confidence in his team’s ability to succeed, despite other powerhouses like the Dominican Republic, Japan, and the USA boasting extremely strong rosters.
“We’re born for this, you know. I know the Dominican Republic has a good team,” Acuna Jr. said (1:10).
“Japan and USA (also), but we have a really good team too, so we’ll play the game the right way, and let’s see what happens out there,” Acuna Jr. added.
Insider Presses The Atlanta Braves To Approach Ronald Acuna Jr.’s Contract Extension With Urgency
Having joined the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in 2014, Ronald Acuna Jr. made his big league debut in 2018. Since then, he has established himself as one of his team’s most influential players and among the finest in the major leagues.
Acuna signed an eight-year, $100 million contract extension with the Braves in 2019, with club options for two additional seasons at $17 million a season.
Although he is not on the verge of free agency by any means at the moment, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden spoke to MLB Network Radio on February 16 and pressed the Atlanta Braves to approach Ronald Acuna Jr.’s potential contract extension with urgency.
“Do it right now, and do not wait until he has an MVP season. Because if he has an MVP season, he’s going to be $800 million a year from now. Or he’s going to be $75 million a year for five years with three opt-outs. So, if you want him, sign him coming off 21 homers and nine steals. Please. Do not wait. Extend him now. Rip up his existing contract, sign him now! Trust me, you want to save money, and you want to keep him, do that. Otherwise, enjoy the next three years, because that’s the last three years you’ll have him,” Bowden said.
“He and Vladdy (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) came up at the same time, and Vladdy got $500 million a year ago. Ronald Acuna Jr. is getting $17 million a year. Acuna’s a better player than Guerrero, and I love Guerrero. He’ll be a Met or a Dodger if you don’t take care of him now. I would put $500 million in front of him right now for ten years and see if he takes it. (For a short-term deal) You’re going to have to go north of Tucker. He’s a better player than Tucker, so if Tucker’s $60 million times four, I think at four years with $75 million a year, you could do that too. I’d rather just do $500 million and have him for the rest of his career,” he added.
Ronald Acuna Jr. finished the 2025 season with a .290 batting average, 23 home runs, and 42 RBIs.
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