Ronald Acuna Jr.

Acuna's 2025 season fell far below his MVP-level expectations, finishing with 13 HR, 36 SB, and a .764 OPS, as lingering knee limitations muted his power. His 2026 projections expect improvement—closer to 20-22 HR with stable speed—but still fall short of his 2023 peak. The drop in hard-hit rate and launch consistency creates real uncertainty about his ceiling. Acuna remains a high-end contributor in steals, but he carries more volatility than typical early-round outfielders and projects as a risk/reward pick rather than a locked-in anchor.