"Can't wait for Ronald Acuna Jr. to be a Yankee"; "Ready to get hurt again" - Fans react to Braves OF's latest practice session

The 2024 season was a disappointing one for the Atlanta Braves and their star Ronald Acuna Jr. The slugger played in just 49 games before tearing his ACL and ending his year.

However, the four-time All-Star is starting to get healthy and ready to make up for lost time. On Tuesday, MLB's official X account posted a video of him launching baseballs left and right during a recent batting practice session.

Acuna Jr. was making hard contact with what looked to be relative ease. He had his outfield shaggers moving before absolutely obliterating a baseball to left field before flipping his bat.

Some fans are not fully trusting that Acuna Jr. is back and are holding back their expectations. However, not everyone feels that way.

"Can't wait for him to be a Yankee at the deadline" one fan posted.

"I am ready to get hurt again" said another.

"Dude is about to take down the whole power grid" said another.

While some have tempered their expectations or waiting for him to be traded ahead of the deadline, others are mesmerized by his power. Granted the ball is not coming in very fast, not many people can produce that loud of contact.

"This is a beautiful sight to see as a Braves fan and probably scary if you're a fan of any other team" said another.

"Welcome back Ronnie!" said another.

"The sound the bat makes when he hits the ball is not normal BTW" said another.

Ronald Acuna Jr. not expected to be ready by Opening Day

Atlanta Braves - Ronald Acuna Jr. (Photo via IMAGN)

Ronald Acuna Jr. tore his ACL on May 26 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Generally, ACL tears can take anywhere from six months to a year to recover fully after surgery.

The likelihood of him being ready for Opening Day is pretty slim. Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos told the media in November that neither he nor Spencer Strider would be ready for Opening Day.

Strider tore his UCL in his right elbow in April, which ended his season. He had surgery to address the issue, but like an ACL tear, UCL tears also include a long recovery.

Atlanta will have to start the season without two of its stars and hold things down. They cannot afford to get too deep into a hole to start the season with the talent surrounding the National League East.