Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Acuna ranked fourth best MLB player; who are top three?

Credit: AJC

Here's a quick by the numbers look at the career of Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna.
By
Updated March 25, 2021

Mike Trout. Mookie Betts. Juan Soto.

ExploreHow Ronald Acuna’s contract compares to Fernando Tatis Jr.’s new deal

Those are the only three MLB players better than Ronald Acuna, according to an annual ranking of the game’s top players by a panel of ESPN “baseball experts.”

The rankings, released Wednesday, have Angels outfielder Trout No. 1, Dodgers outfielder Betts No. 2, Nationals outfielder Soto No. 3 and Braves outfielder Acuna No. 4.

Two starting pitchers are ranked behind Acuna, No. 5 Gerrit Cole of the Yankees and No. 6 Jacob deGrom of the Mets. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is No. 7, followed by Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. at No. 8.

Six other Braves join Acuna and Freeman in ESPN’s top 100: second baseman Ozzie Albies at No. 35, outfielder Marcell Ozuna at No. 40, pitcher Max Fried at No. 62, pitcher Mike Soroka at No. 78, shortstop Dansby Swanson at No. 80 and pitcher Ian Anderson at No. 99.

The World Series champion Dodgers have five players ranked in the top 25.

About the Author

Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.

Follow Tim Tucker on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The Atlanta Braves pitcher declined the club option on reliever Pierce Johnson along with reliever Tyler Kinley. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Braves decline club options on Pierce Johnson, Tyler Kinley

The Braves declined the club options on relievers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley, meaning that three of their top relievers will be free agents.

OPINION

As business booms for cost-cutting Braves, McGuirk aims for ‘top-5’ payroll

Off the field, the Atlanta Braves were a hit, with third-quarter revenue up 7% from 2024. That's little solace for fans who see ticket prices rising while the payroll isn't.

Braves announce 2026 spring training schedule

Lineup includes exhibition game against Team Colombia on March 4 while it trains for 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The Latest

New Braves manager Walt Weiss, all smiles before his introductory news conference.

Credit: Daniel Varnado for the AJC

Braves Report: Ready to break the bank?

Braves decline club options on Pierce Johnson, Tyler Kinley

OPINION

As business booms for cost-cutting Braves, McGuirk aims for ‘top-5’ payroll

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Prolonged shutdown could force 20% flight cuts, U.S. officials warn

The Federal Aviation Administration started reducing flights Friday at 40 major airports, which includes Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

With SNAP benefits in limbo, Atlanta residents step up to help

With SNAP benefits in limbo after a late-Friday Supreme Court decision, many metro Atlanta residents are putting their own money toward supporting those affected.

Study: Rents for low-wage Atlantans rose 9 times faster than for high earners

Rents for suburban workforce housing in the metro Atlanta region increased by almost 20%, while rents for luxury units increased by 2%, a study said.