Ronald Acuña Jr. showcased why he’s considered one of baseball’s most electrifying players on Friday night, delivering a jaw-dropping defensive play that helped power the Atlanta Braves to a 7–3 win over the New York Yankees.
The Braves’ star right fielder stunned fans and opponents alike in the third inning when he unleashed a laser throw from deep right field to nail Jorbit Vivas at third base. Vivas had attempted to tag up on a deep fly to the corner, but Acuña’s pinpoint accuracy and raw arm strength cut the runner down in dramatic fashion.
“It’s crazy how accurate he is,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the game. “He’s a difference-maker in right field. The arm strength, the carry, the quick release—he’s elite.”
Acuña made the catch with his back to the infield, just shy of the warning track. Without hesitation, he spun and fired a bullet to third base—on the fly—where third baseman Nacho Alvarez applied the tag on Vivas, who was slowing up and didn’t slide, despite signals from Yankees third base coach Luis Rojas.
“I just try to anticipate plays like that,” Acuña said through an interpreter. “That’s always been part of my focus on defense—reading the play before it happens. I wasn’t trying to do anything crazy, just what I know how to do. Thankfully, I have the arm to make it work.”
Alvarez added a layer of deception to the play by acting nonchalant as the ball arrived, tricking Vivas into thinking the throw wouldn’t get there in time. The move worked to perfection.
“(Vivas) got fooled,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted. “You just can’t let that happen. Alvarez sold it well, playing it casual, and Vivas bought it. It’s a good teaching moment. On a deep fly like that, you’ve got to hustle and slide, no matter what.”
The defensive gem helped halt a Yankees rally and gave the Braves the momentum they needed to seal the series-opening victory. With the win, Acuña not only contributed with his bat and speed—as he often does—but reminded everyone why he’s one of the most complete players in the game today.