"It's Ronald Acuna Jr." - Top insider snubs Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber & Fransisco Lindor, crowns 'healthy' Braves OF MLB's best leadoff hitter

MLB analysts Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recently discussed the best leadoff hitters with MLB insider Jeff Passan. Out of a star-studded list, including Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber, Passan chose Ronald Acuna Jr. as his pick for the number one leadoff man in the big leagues.

Signing with the Atlanta Braves in 2014, when he was just 17-years-old, Acuna made his debut on April 25, 2018. The Venezuelan is a four-time All-Star, he's won three Silver Slugger awards and an NL MVP award. Ronald is currently out of action for the Braves because of a torn ACL, and is expected to make his return in the 2025 season.

When asked about who he sees as the best leadoff man on Saturday's episode of the "Blair and Barker" podcast, Passan said:

"When he's healthy, it's Ronald Acuna Jr. Right now, it's Ohtani, right. I think you can make the argument that, when it comes to a classic leadoff hitter, Lindor is more in that mould." (55:55)

Also, Passan talked about how the best hitters of the big leagues are often not playing in the leadoff role anymore.

"I appreciate we're at a point now, in baseball, where the best players aren't being put at the tippy-top of lineups. Bobby Witt Jr. is hitting second, Juan Soto is hitting second."

Ronald Acuna Jr.'s brother, Luisangel Acuna called up by New York Mets

The New York Mets decided to call up Luisangel Acuna, younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr., for his MLB debut. To make way for Acuna, DJ Stewart has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. The formal announcement was made by the Mets via X, formerly known as Twitter, on September 14.

During his 2024 season in Triple-A, Luisangel has a .258 batting average, seven home runs, and 50 RBIs for the Syracuse Mets. Currently 22-years-old, the Mets will be hoping Luisangel is able to light up the big leagues like his older brother in the years to come.