Acuña and Albies making history in Atlanta
By Tab Bamford
The Atlanta Braves have already clinched the National League East, thanks to a young core group of players that has matured ahead of the schedule analysts had planned. Ronald Acuña, Jr. and Ozzie Albies have been at the heart of the surprising season, with Albies making his first All-Star Game and Acuña adding his name to record books along the way.
Acuña has appeared in 47 fewer games than Albies, but both have been a menace at the plate. Both have crossed 225 total bases this season, and neither of them has turned 22 yet. They’re doing it with power and speed, making it look easy at times.
There’s plenty of reason for excitement now and into the future in Atlanta because of their young stars who are making history.
In the history of Major League Baseball, here is the complete list of teammates to reach 225 total bases in a season before both had reached their 22nd birthday:
- 2003 – Rocco Baldelli (265) and Carl Crawford (228), Tampa Bay
- 2018 – Albies (281) and Acuña (229), Atlanta
In the history of the Braves franchise, Acuña (26) and Albies (23) are just the third pair of teammates to each hit at least 23 home runs before their 22nd birthday. Freddie Freeman (23) and Jayson Heyward (27) did so in 2011. The other instance was in 1978 when Dale Murphy and Bob Horner hit 23 homers each.
What’s more, the 2018 season is only the third time in the last 30 years that three players under 22 have reached 200 total bases; the third this year is Washington phenom Juan Soto.
The last time was 2013 when Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Mike Trout reached the benchmark together.
The other season was 2011 when Freeman was one of four players to reach 200 total bases at such a young age. The other three players in 2011 were Giancarlo Stanton, Starlin Castro and Eric Hosmer.
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