Ronald Acuña Jr., with a smile under the spotlight of his hometown on Ahora o Nunca show, leaned towards the camera enthusiastically. The T-Mobile Home Run Derby was just days away, and for the third time in his career, Acuña was stepping into the field. But this time, things felt different. The crowd would be his, the moment would be his, and one very familiar obstacle would be missing.
That absence? Pete Alonso. The two-time Derby champ has been the wall Acuña could never quite climb. In both 2019 and 2022, Alonso narrowly defeated him, leaving Acuña with a blend of respect and anger. Now, with Alonso sitting this year out to rest for the second half, Acuña finally has a clear path to rewrite the script, this time on Braves turf at Truist Park.
“I have good news for you,” the host teased. “Pete Alonso hasn’t scored in the Home Run Derby yet.” Acuña laughed, nodding, and replied: “He’s tremendous, a baseball player, really, he has tremendous strength.”
There was no jab in his tone, just playful relief. Acuña respects Alonso’s accomplishments, but he knows how close he’s come. And this time, without the Polar Bear in the bracket, the pressure shifts. The narrative that once boxed him in is now wide open.
More than anything, this Derby is personal. It’s not just another competition, it’s a chance to finally thrive under the very lights that have dimmed his runs in years past. It’s a show in front of his city. No Braves player has ever hoisted the Home Run Derby trophy, and now Acuña stands on the cusp of changing that. The story writes itself: a hometown hero, fresh off a remarkable comeback from injury, steps into the batter’s box with the city behind him.
The crowd will rise with every towering shot, hoping to witness a feat only a handful of players have achieved—winning the Derby at home, just like Ryne Sandberg at Wrigley, Todd Frazier in Cincinnati, Bryce Harper in Washington, and Adolis Garcia in Texas.
Of course, the field is still loaded. Oneil Cruz, Byron Buxton, James Wood, and Junior Caminero bring their own fireworks. But none carry Acuña’s storyline. None have come this close, this often, with nothing to show for it yet. With his rival out of the picture and Truist Park ready to erupt, Acuña isn’t chasing ghosts anymore. He’s chasing the moment. And this time, it’s chasing him back.
Ronald Acuna Jr. trade rumors shut down by insider ahead of MLB deadline
Just weeks before the MLB trade deadline, a wave of uncertainty rippled through Braves Country. Rumors started circulating that Ronald Acuña Jr., the franchise’s figure, might be considering a change of scenery. As fans searched for explanations, talk buzzed online about the possibility of this move. Was Atlanta actually considering trading their dynamic superstar? It didn’t take long for the truth to surface, and it came straight from a source.
MLB insider Jim Bowden wasted no time in putting out the fire. In a post on X, Bowden made it crystal clear: “Just to be clear, the Braves have no interest or plans to trade Ronald Acuna, Jr, nor will they even consider offers for him, according to multiple GMs who have inquired after some various media reports.” That blunt response slammed the door on what had quickly become one of the most shocking rumors of the summer. According to Bowden, not only is Acuña staying put, but the Braves aren’t even taking calls.
Hours later, Bowden doubled down during an appearance on the Foul Territory podcast. He explained that the buzz began from media speculation, not internal conversations. After directly contacting the Braves, Bowden said he received full confirmation that Acuña Jr. would not be moved. With the trade deadline looming on July 31, Atlanta’s stance is now unmistakable: Ronald Acuna Jr. isn’t going anywhere.
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