In the history of MLB, there have been 447 20-20 seasons (home runs and stolen bases).
When it comes to 30-30 campaigns, there have been 65.
Four players have had 40-40 performances, all of them just once: Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodríguez, and Alfonso Soriano.
If we toy with the parameters, we see that there have been 19 20-50 regular seasons, and just two 30-50 performances: Eric Davis in 1987 and Bonds in 1990.
Enter Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr.
He is trying to become the first man in baseball with a 40-50 season.
In fact, his current pace is even better than that.
“@Braves @ronaldacunajr24 is currently on pace to become the first player in @MLB history to finish a season with 40 homers & 70 stolen bases!” MLB Network tweeted.
.@Braves ⭐️ @ronaldacunajr24 is currently on pace to become the first player in @MLB history to finish a season with 40 homers & 70 stolen bases!
?? Statcast Best of the First Half – tomorrow at 5pm ET
(MLB Network x @googlecloud) pic.twitter.com/5SfRk03kBr
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 13, 2023
At the moment, Acuna has 21 home runs and 41 stolen bases.
Nearly all MLB position players would dream of posting those numbers over a single season.
Acuna has… in just one half.
He has become MLB’s premier power-speed performer, which is impressive considering he tore knee ligaments in July 2021.
It’s very hard to maintain a 70-stolen base pace, but 50 or even 60 could be within the realm of possibilities.
Now, the homers could be hard to achieve.
His career-high is 41, established in 2019 with the “juiced ball”.
Still, he was on pace for over 40 long balls in 2020 (the pandemic-shortened season) and in 2021, when he blew out his knee.
2022 was a down year, but he has regained his best form and then some.
There is a realistic chance he hits 40 home runs, and he has the power to do it.
It won’t be easy, but the odds are on his side as long as he remains in one piece.
We could be witnessing some history in a few months.
NEXT: Ronald Acuna Jr. Cements His Place Among MLB's Most Popular Players
