The 2023 NL MVP Battle Was Completely Insane...

In 2023, we saw one of the GREATEST MVP Battles in Baseball history when Ronald Acuna Jr and Mookie Betts fought for the National League's Most Valuable Player Title.

[@sonyamiller5504]

I hate the argument that stolen bases are worth less because the bases are bigger. It doesn’t matter if it’s easier it’s still equally as valuable as any season. Standing on second instead of first didn’t magically become less valuable. If stealing is so easy now why doesn’t mookie have 63.

[@ethan3949]

I think ppl are using that argument because ppl are overstating the 30/60 club argument when at the end of the day they’re just 2 different stats

[@stevesand8845]

exactly and with the base being bigger, catchers are cheating more on throws than they were before…. sorry but Acuña Jr. should get the MVP…. consistantly great

[@ethan3949]

@@stevesand8845 so u think catchers just weren’t trying to throw runners out before u make no sense. If what u said was really true his success rate wouldn’t have gone from 72% to 85%

[@okGM013]

then why do they have the same runs despite acuna having 70 more PAs?

[@gibbssteve01]

​@@okGM013 what? Acuna is the MLB leader in runs scored

[@TheNachris720]

Well put together!

[@TK0_23_]

As of now, there are two reasons I would pick Acuna. First Acuna has been consistently great all season. From day one he has been churning out offensive numbers. Mookie started slow and finished off August with one of the best months I have seen. Ever. April 235/350/431/781. August? 455/516/839/1355. He scored 35 runs. 51 Hits, 10 doubles, 11 homers and 31 rbi. I'm not sure how many players have ever had a 30-50-10-10-30 month. It's insane. But that means that his season is built on this one month. Ronald has been hacking away since jump street. Second. Last year I argued Judge over Ohtani. And frankly Ohtani was arguably more valuable. But Judge had one of the top 25 seasons of all time. His 211 OPS+ was 22nd all time. There are only 7 players who were higher. Ruth, Williams, Gehrig, Hornsby, Mantle, then Bonds and Mcgwire. But those seasons were all steroid years so they don't count here. So only 5 players did what Judge did and it's a who's who of baseball greats. You simply can't deny a player who does something that special. The MVP vote, like it or not, is subject to human judgement. Acuna has done something that no one has done. He has achieved a power/speed milestone that is not a small accomplishment. Coupled with his excellence, consistency and milestone power/speed accomplishment, I honestly don't think there is an argument. Ronald Acuna Jr deserves the MVP.

[@ethan3949]

I’m kinda with you on acuna but please never use that “consistently good all year” argument because it’s a season long award and at the end of the day mookie has been a better hitter throughout the season

[@kevincalaway416]

​@@ethan3949... No he hasnt. Where did you get that idea?

[@TK0_23_]

@@ethan3949 I get what your saying, you can only win one game per day. If a player hits 5 grand slams in a game, they only win 1. But the player gets 5 hr and 20 rbi. That inflate his season stats while only helping in one game. Extrapolate that out and you see my point. But in this case you are right. May - Aug Betts. 338/427/672/1099 Acuna 333/413/580/994 SB 9/2 49/9 I still pick Acuna 30/70 club.

[@ethan3949]

@@TK0_23_ yeah cuz mookie totally only does really good for 1 game then nothing the next 4, analogy doesn’t relate at all

[@TK0_23_]

@@ethan3949 Was it extrapolate that confused you? It's a perfect analogy.

[@paulbortolazzo2831]

As of today, Ronald Acuña has scored more runs, more hits, more steals, more played appearances, 36 HR, best off War, 336 BA…

[@certain352]

Funniest part is that Dookie Betts isn’t even the #2 candidate. What’s actually gonna happen is Yasiel Puig is gonna rise from the ashes and his 10 home runs in every game until the end of the season.

[@yea3702]

dookie betts 😂😂😂

[@DavisCox-w1y]

Acuna all the way. He’s been great all year and mookie just got hot all of a sudden. Acuna literally made history and created his own category. You can’t tell me mookie Betts is better than acuna

[@ericescalante1612]

Mookie has been good all season long, and no August isn’t his only good month. His OPS has been above 1.000 every month except twice.

[@RCMelite]

As a Braves fan I think they should just give it to Acuna

[@certain352]

Simple as that ✅

[@lukegangl8644]

Mookie is more valuable tho

[@RCMelite]

No

[@maddoxbenoff9554]

@@lukegangl8644how

[@whitedeion598]

Crazy to see how much changed in three weeks. Acuna now leads betts in nearly all batting stats. The only sabermetric stat betts leads in is championship wpa, but that is because the braves have been wire to wire with the division lead.

[@JRWeezy84]

Yeah acuna is mvp no argument about it at all... AT ALL

[@travisvance3595]

Why is he talking about last year, Acuna is the MVP this year. He didn't even mention runs 😢

[@plugchapman]

Acuna set a FIRST TIME record...why is this even a conversation.

[@ericescalante1612]

The bigger bases are also a FIRST TIME

[@JesusFirst826]

Acuna is obviously the clear and only winner. If they vote definitely, it just shows they don't watch baseball.

[@georgiabulldogs4l13]

As a Georgia native and diehard Braves fan Ronnie will win especially after this Dodgers series. This had to have been uploaded before Games 2 and 3 but since Ronnie is the best player on the best team

[@ChaposShoota]

Lol this “race” been over Acuña won it already, stop it

[@KVirello]

MLB does have co-mvp's, it happened in 1979

[@BlueLightningBaseball]

Mlb should really hold an awards ceremony, it would be so great

[@Cheddarwizzy3]

The only reason I’ll say ronald is because of how devastating he is in that one hole. I know mookie is in that one hole as well but I’ve never seen more dominance than when Ronald starts the game off with a base hit or homerun and then all the braves start teeing off. The braves success would be nothing without ronnie

[@gibbssteve01]

It's not just about hitting .300 with 30+ homers anymore. If that were the case, Matt Olsen, Marcell Ozuna, Austin Riley, Freeman, and anyone else with those type of numbers are in the driver's seat. Acuna is doing everything...hitting for average(2nd best in MLB, power(40 HR pace) plays great defense, and ALWAYS puts the team in position to score first by gettin on and stealing. Hiw valuable is it to have your leadoff guy hit 35-40 HRs/70+ steals, and makes it easier for the guys behind him to get great pitches to hit and boost their numbers. Dude is MVP, no debating.

[@karsonmapes]

RONNIE KEEP GROWIN THE DREADS BACK first time i watched ronald acuna jr step in the batters box live i was blown away. i couldn’t believe that it was only his rookie year but he had such a commanding presence in the box. he was almost too smooth, no fear, confident. the damn power, unbelievable speed. 19 year old looking like a seasoned vet AND WITH THOSE DREADS?? forget about it. effortlessly radiating swagger 😂😂😂 just off the charts

[@JimRPickens]

Hair don't have anything to do with baseball. Calm your attraction, its getting a little weird.

[@MasonBirdBoy]

Betts has no chance against Acuña.

[@97NikeSb]

Yea he does that’s why there’s a discussion dork

[@GeeOhDee88]

this isn't as close as one would think...acuña is the mvp this year

[@photoshop3522]

This is the biggest blasphemy in sports. We are comparing a really good year to a HOF year. RA13 where we at. Stand on it!

[@Fleetshot122]

As a dodgers fan I’d give it to Acuna for making history this season

[@davidh.5139]

You’re not a dodger fan lmao. Mookie is way more deserving. Mookie will make history for most home runs in a lead off spot. Fucking Braves fan probably fronting

[@jeremiah_12]

Can you really hold last year against him when that injury has a two year full recovery timeframe? You can’t build a narrative on a guy when every doctor and player who had that injury tell you that you need a year just to walk on that knee and an additional year to regain pre-injury strength. Acuña was playing at an MVP level before the injury and is back at it while at 100% health.

[@Vgrizzw]

Braves fan here. Acuña ftw

[@rynolascavio3381]

Acuna has been smoothing out, Betts is white hot

[@Ouijawii]

I hope they both win. This is one of those rare years the MVP won't be 'stolen' it'll just be a great race between two top dogs.

[@georgiabulldogs4l13]

I will give NL MVP to Ronnie

[@ParamoreFAV3]

Ppl can say it’s close…but it’s Ocuna’s to lose. We know WAR isn’t perfect because it’s clear the loaded roster Acuna plays for is being used against him. How is he nowhere near a 10 WAR season? It’s a joke.

[@buyerfunrun]

As a dodgers fan I think they shouldn’t make the hard decisions and just give it to Freddie freeman

[@haleysmith2633]

As a lifelong braves fan and a huge mookie and acuna fan...yeah I say Freddie should get it too eery year he's got left. And 3 more after he retires ust cause it's freaking Freddie! Miss ya in ATL 5!!

[@thebravesfan1427]

Love this take even as a Braves fan

[@jimmyhall4453]

Freddie got his already in the ATL!!! But we still love him!!! He is nothing but a class act & a solid ball player!!! Got my broom out for the Dodger Stadium Sweep!!! The Braves are on a mission.. Good luck to you in the playoffs… Definitely want to see the 2 best teams in the NLCS. I do think Acuna has a lock on the MVP.

[@edwardcopeland5069]

as a Dodgers fan what a selfish unthoughtout comment. Lol 😆

[@edwardcopeland5069]

​@@haleysmith2633"bullshit" Jr. is the MVP "you better ask somebody " lol 😂

[@thebravesfan1427]

Acuna Acuna Acuna all day

[@manjidrift]

Nice.. now put shohei on the Dodgers and they will be unstoppable

[@DeepblueJDH]

Okay, firstly, Acuña is a WS champ and it should be in his accolades. Remember, the Braves had 86 wins in 21 and RAJ was the team before getting injured. Not on you though. BR needs to fix that. Secondly, that’s not a big difference in slugging when you consider avg. and on base being well tilted for RAJ. Lastly gotta talk about runs scored my man. They are both leadoff hitters, it’s their number 1 stat. Acuña is killing everyone. No need to mention SB you covered that well.

[@luiss.3866]

Bruh wtf did i just read?

[@chriscampbell3417]

Without the steals Mookie would take the MVP award but considering Acuña is the only player to go 30/60 I think the gives him the edge in the MVP voting

[@duanechism273]

Acuna has done it the whole year consistently every month he’s the mvp

[@dshyon]

So has Betts?

[@97NikeSb]

So has Betts. You don’t have the numbers he’s had by having only one good month

[@TheDayZCowboy90]

@@dshyon Not as consistent as Acuna has been. He's been the most consistent hitter in MLB all season

[@dshyon]

@@TheDayZCowboy90 uuuuh what? Mook has had better offensive stats like the past 3 and a half months than Acuna. Y'all gotta watch more baseball.

[@TheDayZCowboy90]

@@dshyon Acuna is a better player on a better team. 2-0 against Mookie and the Dodgers in LA so far

[@kiowastew]

I value the guy who can month-to-month consistently put pressure on the opposing team and change an entire game's dynamics in the batters box, on the field, and on the basepaths. Acuna is that guy. The Braves offense is a juggernaut with Acuna setting the table. He can score the games 1st run on the 1st pitch, or he can hit the seeing-eye-single and then steal 2nd and 3rd. Mookie can hit for average, but not Acuna's average. Mookie can go toe-to-toe with Acuna (or best Acuna) in homeruns, but he can't run and pressure like Acuna. Mookie is a great fielder, but he doesn't have the cannon that Acuna does. AND OBVIOUSLY Mookie bests Acuna in SLG%. He has 8 more homeruns while Acuna hits singles, steals 2nd, and then is driven in by the guys behind him. Makes sense, he has a higher average and few homeruns. That stat means nothing except that it shows the difference between their 2 styles of play. The MVP is about more than hitting 30+ homeruns and hitting for a high average. Besides....Betts wasn't even a part of the conversation until August. Ronald has been doing this all year long.

[@freddy.st16]

there is no way in hell you think Acuna is a better fielder than Mookie. Betts has excelled at 2B, SS, and RF this year. He is literally the definition of most valuable because he can cover multiple positions and play them at gold glove caliber. Betts has a higher OPS, more extra base hits, more home runs, more rbis, and is better defensively.

[@kiowastew]

​@@freddy.st16 ? I don't understand that first sentence of yours. It's okay, however, as I don't think you understood my paragraph either.

[@stephenholbrook4391]

Does Mookie hold a stand alone record? No. Is he doing anything that has never been done before? No. Enough said.

[@Makai77]

Voters should seriously consider a co-MVP this season- sorta like the NFL did in 2003 with Manning/McNair. It's only happened once in MLB history. 1979 Willie Stargell and Keith Hernandez shared the award. Both Acuna and Betts deserve it.

[@ComradeArthur]

I *knew* there was a shared MVP award once. Gomer didn't bother to check!

[@Kanjo_Bazooie]

As a Braves fan I would definitely be happy with that. Both are phenomenal. Betts over the last month is playing some of the best baseball I have ever seen

[@ComradeArthur]

@@Kanjo_Bazooie It's crazy. Bett's August was better than *any* month he had in 2018. And he some ABSURD months in 2018.

[@Kanjo_Bazooie]

@@ComradeArthur Yep, he is out of this world right now. Hoping Ronald has a hot September to lock it down!

[@brianduzick9140]

No they shouldn’t, there’s a clear MVP and it’s Mookie Betts.

[@hestillworks]

Acuna also with a very high average

[@NOLAchop92]

It's like a boxing match. If a fighter loses the first 2:30 of the round and wins the last 30 seconds, they have a chance to sway the judges to give them round they just lost. Just because Betts had an elite August doesn't make him the MVP. And it isn't like Acuña sucked ass in August. He's been consistently the best player in the league all year. That & he literally did something that's never been done before. We've been playing baseball since the 1870s. If Acuña's AVG dips 20-30 points by the end of the year then I could see Betts winning it but as of now it's Acuña.

[@rynolascavio3381]

no way you can really argue one way or the other, better let the season say so

[@jimmyhall4453]

Ronald is the MVP

[@roywall8169]

This 4 game series will determine the MVP, as well as home field. After the first two games, Acuna has outplayed Betts without question and the Braves have dominated the Dodgers. Everything Ronald hits is smoked. Betts does have two wall scraper dingers, but has yet to make solid contact on the regular. The final two games will be pivotal in the standings, and will give Betts a chance to look better. Fun to watch.

[@jigafox]

It’s Acuna. All respect to Mookie, but Acuna has consistently led this team the whole year.

[@ericescalante1612]

And Mookie haven’t? Mookie is playing on a weaker team, and leading them to where they are now

[@whitedeion598]

​@ericescalante1612 he hasn't. Pull up the 50 PA rolling xwOBA for the season. Acuna has barely been under .400 (which is elite) the entire season. Betts is up and down, and spent an entire month under .400. His current rolling average is lower than every day for acuna over the last three months

[@mattkeller5913]

Less ABs and less average but somehow better with 8 more HRs. Yeah nah sorry he's a better slugger but Acuna is clearly facilitating an offense with both small ball and slugging. Lead off walks turn into nightmares and that isn't the "baseball writers" imagination.

[@johnhenry9453]

Mookie is doing a excellent job and outstanding end of the season, he have a great season so far but Acuna season is historical, sorry, to me is the NL MVP if he keeps like that... imagine a 40-70 combo, yesh

[@ericescalante1612]

It’s only because the bases are bigger, if they were bigger since the start of mlb then Acuna wouldn’t be near the record

[@johnhenry9453]

@@ericescalante1612 so the rule is for him only? every other player can do this but only acuna was able to did it. It is still historic, he is the first to do 30-60, and we know more players will come later to break that record but the pioneer was acuna

[@train83]

Wtf is this guy talking about here? He has one season where he tears his acl, something just about every professional athlete goes through, and all of a sudden Acuna is injury prone and has lost a step? Tell me you dont watch the braves without saying you dont watch the braves..😂.. Acuna is on the field damn near every night. Has been since he was called up.

[@terellwhite3361]

You don’t win an mvp based on what u did last year or in 2018. Let’s keep it to this year. And I wouldn’t care if Acuna didn’t play another game this year, he is the MVP. 30/60 club.

[@YourFathersDad]

It's a special feat but it's basically been done before. Rickey was two home runs away. The award shouldn't rest on that alone. If he gets 40 then forget about it

[@terrellcowell6361]

I'd rather have Ronald win the world series MVP

[@PeepsWaxPacks]

Sorry but SBs don't hold the value they once did. Without the rule change, Acuna doesn't come close to this year's total. Betts is the MVP, and the numbers that mean something prove it.

[@johnscruggs4572]

How many times has Acuna gotten the free base because they've already thrown over twice? Not many

[@17Peloton]

Please learn the difference between less and fewer!

[@sirytsejam8496]

As a Dodgers fan, it looks like Acuña Jr. is going to win MVP simply because of the east coast bias... change my mind.

[@monamedley6666]

The sports media all but ignores Atlanta sports. Dont lump Atlanta in with the Yanks or Red Sox. To do so is ignorant.

[@darryelphillip5219]

Mookie is the better offensive player and better defensive player how is sb making so much of a debate

[@mayer7196]

No, its not that tight. Acuna has 30/60 and could very well have 40/70. 40/70, think on that for a moment. The cheaters club of Bonds, Canseco and Rodrguez couldn't even do 40/50 or 50/40. Acuna doing it better. Betts is having a tremendous season and deserves 2nd, but consistency is key and Acuna been consistent ALL year, Betts just came on strong in August. Acuna-Betts-Freeman-Olson , in that order.

[@demep]

i think it will go to whoever wins the NLCS

[@Champnoah-tt]

They don’t give the awards after the playoffs they do after the regular season so that won’t matter

[@demep]

@@Champnoah-tt ugh tru

[@kaleloz2868]

💴 on Acuna

[@rynolascavio3381]

maybe

[@sonicflash5090]

Acuna no question, the Stolen bases are very high

[@thebravesfan1427]

Acuna is going 40 60

[@bamaboi98rt79]

What about matt olsen!

[@24n8]

The 70+ stolen bases Acuna will get is amazing, but it's already baked into his baserunning value and his overall WAR value, and he still comes up well short of Mookie's overall value. To me it's Mookie, and the objective measures of value bear that out.

[@CharlieLucky24]

MLB knew what they were doing when they made the bases bigger and now only allow 2 throws over to 1st to keep the runner in check. It’s made the game more exciting with more stolen bases. With that being said, Betts has my vote for MVP. Better war, better power, better defense playing multiple positions. But all that could change, there’s still a month left of baseball. They’re both great great players.

[@sir.muffiniii7011]

The literally changed those rules because they wanted more stolen bases

[@hankglidden1463]

Better war solely because war overvalues defence and undervalues stolen bases :/, I wonder who that benefits.

[@jaredperry8954]

He may have a slightly better war and slightly better defense, but how can you gauge power? He has a few more homeruns than acuna, but also remember truist park has a bigger outfield. If anything I would say acuna has more “power” with the amount of homeruns hit over 450ft this year. Again like you said they both have incredible talent and any team would be lucky to have either of them to build around.

[@spaghettisauce445]

@@jaredperry8954you can gauge power by the slugging percentage

[@sir.muffiniii7011]

@ryryfizzle yeah ig you could say that but you could also say that Acuña should get better at defence too (I’m saying this as somebody who thinks Acuña should win too)

[@100two1]

Mookies versatility, power, and OPS + leadership makes him the MVP in my opinion.

[@raiderhank]

Lets not forget what made this all possible... Pizza box bases..... Could Acuna do it if we still had the regular smaller bases...? I dont think so.. Ricky Henderson will go down as the best that ever did it and Acuna can take the pizza box prize....

[@tvLAND3458]

If Acuna can get to 40 homers he gets it

[@charlesjohnson536]

RONALD ACUNA JR#13 & MOOKIE BETTS#50 IN AN EPIC NL MVP BATTLE THAT WILL GO DOWN TO THE WIRE ..

[@alejandropagan4627]

It's convincingly Betts haha. Acuna statistically isn't a good base runner does not consistently capitalize on rounding based on other's hits and gets caught far too frequently. It is so easy to steal this year not impressed

[@rsuriyop]

With everyone being so mesmerized and infatuated with Acuna's 30 HR 60 SB season, they've also apparently seem to have forgotten who Eric Davis was. You know (unless you weren't born then), a guy who hit 27 HRs and stole 80 bases in 1986 but still finished only TWELVTH in MVP voting. So everyone being on the bandwagon that Acuna will win it needs to reflect back to 1986. Mookie Betts could easily take it.

[@cityofalbies]

Go tune into the brave game. Were beating y'all similar to the post season

[@xtaylor93x]

Yeah and his teammate Dave Parker finished 5th in voting with a .3 WAR, 31 homers, and 1 stolen base. I don’t trust the older MVP voting and you shouldn’t use that as your measuring tool. The 30-60 is a very minor part of Acuna’s case. He has consistently batted over .330 the whole season, has flirted all year with 1 dotting on OPS, and hasn’t missed a game. Mookie is definitely worthy of consideration especially in the power category and position versatility but Ronald has been more consistent in more categories all year. Still close but small things like achieving 30-60 can be reason to put Ronald over the edge. We still could see 40-70 if he has a power streak. I’ve seen him hit 9 homers in a month. If he hits about 5 more homers, it’s probably a lock for him.

[@PetSimNerd52]

eric davis was good ill give you that, but the game had players like bonds and shit at the time, so no wonder a guy hitting damn near 50 homers less gets twelfth (not twelvth) in mvp

[@xtaylor93x]

@@PetSimNerd52 the MVP voting was a lot more emotionally driven back then in my opinion, now it’s more about statistical accomplishments and accolades (which I think is the way it should be decided - albeit with a small amount of the emotional intangibles) For example, if you hit 2 or 3 walkoffs to secure a playoff spot, this HEAVILY skewed voters vs a player who may have had a better year according to the stats. This should matter some surely, but not as much as they used consider it.

[@JRWeezy84]

Lmao yeah acuna is locked in to mvp... nothing close about it...

[@davidh.5139]

You really over value stolen bases lmao. 52 more SB than Mookie but has only scored 6 more runs. While also playing 6 more games than Mookie. Where is the value coming from? You guys are crazy

[@nahbro7282]

I mean they made stealing easier too. That’s the main reason people are discounting the SBs and the jump was so high

[@duanechism273]

Then why dont everyone have 60+ stolen bases? 😂😂

[@nahbro7282]

​@@duanechism273 first of alll ruiz might reach 60. Second of all stealing is up across the board (bigger bases, limited pick offs, no shift). Third of all for all those bags, he doesn't even have that much higher of baserunning metrcis than mookie or freddie.

[@leonzaduncan2438]

​@@nahbro7282MIGHT

[@leonzaduncan2438]

​@@nahbro7282omg he steal more than anyone and still has 85% success

[@xtaylor93x]

@@nahbro7282he is double the value in base running of Mookie according to the metrics. Also, if base stealing is THAT much easier, why isn’t Mookie getting anywhere close to his career high of 30? He is definitely on base a lot.

[@jonathanleshko]

Mookie, better offensively, better defensively

[@certain352]

Acuna is gonna win it go home rookie

[@primeglasnow2661]

It's pretty comfortably Mookie lol

[@primeglasnow2661]

Comfortably better hitter and defender it's for the best player not the player who did something rare award

[@Samuelito.11]

Crazy to know that Betts has 40 less abs than Acuna

[@jacksonc5496]

with like 9 more xbhs too😂

[@kaleloz2868]

Why you want Acuna, more at bats = more opportunities

[@hectorolivas7122]

yah its mookie and its easy

[@ComradeArthur]

What's the *value* of a stolen base. Not a lot. As the video pointed out, baserunning runs for Acuna are about 3 more than Betts. 3 *runs*. Not 3 extra wins! At the assumed rate of 10 extra runs equals a win, that's worth about 1/3rd of a win. And that calculation is already factored into WAR and WRC. Acuna is having a great season, Mookie is having a better one AND IT DOESN'T MATTER because the Sept. numbers will change everything!

[@stephenholbrook4391]

Having a runner on second increases the chance of scoring a run 3 fold and having a runner on third increases the chance of scoring a run 5 fold. By your logic, the Braves lead all of MLB in runs and wins, but Acuna’s stolen bases have little or nothing to do with it… Just curious, have you ever played and coached baseball? I have. Because- by your logic- there is no need for a first base coach and third base coach. It doesn’t mean a lot, right?

[@ComradeArthur]

@@stephenholbrook4391 My *logic* is the base running runs gained stat. Remember, Acuna's base running is responsible for about THREE extra runs more than Betts over the course of the season. That includes CAUGHT stealing, taking the extra base on base hits and so on. Now it is possible that that great success in stolen bases in the right situations (tie game, 9th inning) aren not well represented by that stat. But it's not incumbent on me to prove that. There's an active sabermetrics community. If you think Acuna's baserunning is worth a great deal more than +3 runs over Betts... then prove it.

[@stephenholbrook4391]

@@ComradeArthur so you’ve never played or coached baseball. Got it. He’s accomplished something no one has ever done before. If it truly wasn’t as significant as you make it seem, then why is everyone talking about it? You’re just a hater. Have a nice day. I do agree that the September numbers will change everything….Betts looked really good with his 0-3. Remind me how Acuna did…

[@countryclubbin1016]

Mookie is BY FAR the more complete player. He can be put anywhere on the diamond and produce. Can't do that with acuna. He's already a negative defender in a corner outfield spot.

[@ministrojosesalazar9598]

Negative defender Acuña??? Are you serious???

[@tomdougherty9362]

im a braves fan and love acuna, but mookie has the edge, at least for now

[@leonzaduncan2438]

No

[@Champnoah-tt]

Yes

[@stephenholbrook4391]

You aren’t a Braves fan… Is Betts doing anything that has never been done before? No. Is Betts’ performance being compared to a Hall of Famer like Rickey Henderson? No. Has Betts set any type of record in his entire career? No. Stolen bases matter. The percentage of scoring runs increases 3 fold with a runner on second and 5 fold with a runner on third. Stolen bases matter. You aren’t a Braves fan, but you are clueless.

[@Champnoah-tt]

@@stephenholbrook4391 bros just mad that a braves fan think different than him 🗿

[@stephenholbrook4391]

@@Champnoah-tt he ain’t no Braves fan. Do you believe everything people say on the internet? I had sex with you mom. Has my point been made? He ain’t no Braves fan.

[@JordanSullivan-se5sk]

Mookie is the better player

[@JordanSullivan-se5sk]

Career and this season

[@Fleetshot122]

@@JordanSullivan-se5skno shit his career is better he’s been in the league 4 more years… 😭

[@kingyellowman5762]

Rickey Henderson hit 28hr in years where he stole 87 & 65 bases. He won MVP with .325av 28hr 65sb. Let's not forget the bases were smaller back then tho

[@frederickd.provoncha8671]

To be fair, you've got to discount the stolen base record because the rules changes have made it so much easier to do it. In addition, the value of stolen bases to a team is questionable. Most of the time it does not affect the final score of the game. And all the times he's caught stealing... that could negatively affect his team's score. So I don't think lots of stolen bases are as impactful to a team overall than being an elite defender. And Betts is an elite defender, much better than Acuna. After all, isn't that what MVP is supposed to mean? How valuable are you, how impactful are you to the performance of your team? Both are great, amazing players, but I think the edge should go to Mookie. But we still have a month to go. Things can change. We'll see.

[@justn4338]

Acuna has been a 300 average all season. Mookie is not as consistent he’s just having the best month of his career.

[@DungNguyen-vn3eu]

Betts is mvp, more home runs, more rbi's with less AB. Better defense and better WAR.

[@Baseballislife895]

Steals, history ,ops, OBp I think also he has more hits

[@avrivah1101]

Other things being equal, Betts' defensive acumen and bat would make him a shoe-in for MVP, but sports writers aren't known for their objectivity.

[@brianduzick9140]

Playing 2 defensive positions is far more valuable than stealing 60 bags.

[@PetSimNerd52]

not if you are below league average at one, that has a negative impact on a team

[@brianduzick9140]

He’s above average at 2 lol

[@ajhuang6559]

Acuna all the way

[@yuhhangelyuhh3667]

Red Sox cheated in 2018

[@RamonCoggins-xv5mc]

Ronald Acura