Betts versus Acuna, a race for MVP
A battle for MVP has come down to Betts and Acuna, but who should win?
By Nikolas Araiza
Photograph by Mark J. Terrill
Mookie Betts has had a tremendous 2023 season, capping it off by breaking the record for Runs Batted In, RBI, for a lead-off hitter. The record stood at 103 but on Sept. 23, Betts hit a two-run double to make his season total 105 RBI.
The favorite for the MVP had been Ronald Acuna Jr. all year long. That was until Betts had one of the most impressive months in baseball history. Betts hit .451 with 10 home runs and 51 hits, joining Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig as the only others in history to accomplish that.
Betts, who had a very slow start to the season, picked it up in June and never looked back. He raised his batting average from .262 to .309.
Betts has also played 74 games in the infield this season, even though he is a primary right fielder. Fourteen of those games came at shortstop, a position he had never played before.
In the offseason at the request of Driveline Baseball, Betts would add eight pounds of muscle to his frame, allowing him to set a new career high in home runs.
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Acuna, the other man in this MVP race has had a historic year as well. He became the first player in history to hit 30 home runs and steal 60 bases in a season.
Though Acuna has had a very impressive season, Betts has shown his value all over the field. The announcement of the MVP award will come after the conclusion of the World Series and Betts will look to become just the second player ever to win the award in the American League and National League.