The Atlanta Braves hosted the New York Yankees on Friday night as part of MLB's return to action following the All-Star break. It did not take long for Ronald Acuña Jr. to make his mark.
In one of the best defensive highlights of the season thus far, Acuña Jr. fielded a fly ball deep in the right field corner from Cody Bellinger with men on first and second for the Yankees. Jorbit Vivas tagged up from second in an attempt to take third and probably thought he was in the clear with how deep Acuña Jr. had to get to catch the ball.
He was wrong. The Braves' All-Star reared back and unleashed an absolute rocket of a throw to tag Vivas out at third.
UNBELIEVABLE 🤯
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2025
RONALD ACUÑA JR. WITH THE CANNON 💪 pic.twitter.com/ulbyTMzjib
Vivas certainly could've shown a bit more hustle but Acuña Jr. couldn't have made a more perfect throw—and without a running start, no less. Right on the money, as they say.
MLB fans could barely believe what they saw and reacted accordingly.
#Braves RF Ronald Acuña Jr. just casually gunned down a runner at third base on one of the best and most accurate throws you'll see from a right fielder. Clemente, Parker, take your pick.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) July 19, 2025
Flat footed on the fly. My goodness. Pressbox is buzzing.
Ronald Acuna just made one of the greatest throws I’ve ever seen in my life. Oh my goodness.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 19, 2025
This doesn't look close to real. Kaline/ichiro stuff. https://t.co/G6HvPEOGq7
— Hermy (@Hermaphro) July 19, 2025
They’ve been playing baseball a long time, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a better throw. https://t.co/R8GIoMKnRv
— Jason Gagnon (@JasonGagnon) July 19, 2025
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 https://t.co/6sndt9qlbU
— Mirek Sharp (@Mirek_Sharp5) July 19, 2025
Best player in the game when healthy. https://t.co/g7Vwfj2my3
— Cameron Lafleur (@clafleur19) July 19, 2025
Ronald “Bo Jackson” Acuna
— Isidore of Seville’s burner (@pinkertronic) July 19, 2025
When will people learn to not run on Ronald
— Jackson 🐻 (@_901Ja) July 19, 2025
Greatest throw ever
— Steven (@haterade1369) July 19, 2025
RONALD ACUNA JR BAZOOKA DOT GIF pic.twitter.com/DtdV1dFOCA
— Dan Why-Ner (@ReallyDanWeiner) July 19, 2025
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Ronald Acuna Jr. Wowed Fans With Picture-Perfect Throw to Thwart Yankees' Tag Attempt.
