WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D

March 5, 2026

Ronald Acuña

LoanDepot Park

Team Venezuela

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. You participated in two preparation games in West Palm Beach. What's your status? How are you feeling at home plate?

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: As batter, I feel very well. This is the most important thing that I have, batting, but representing my country is priceless.

Q. Speaking about anxiety, because of the comments on the networks -- you cannot control what they say, the networks. Maybe you can learn something from the social networks, from comments, negative, positive. Can that affect you?

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: Well, good and bad comments will exist always. The Venezuelan fans are very demanding. We're all human beings. I wish I could hit a home run every day, but the most important things will start tomorrow.

Q. Ronald, we heard Salvador Perez speaking about his role as a captain. What does he mean to you as a teammate and as a captain of the Venezuela team?

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: He's very important to us as players and to the country. He's a leader. He walks the talk, and he's always for us every time. We need him. He's doing a great job.

Q. Ronald, regarding Suarez, you have faced him before in the division. What's the key for him to get the win tomorrow?

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: Well, I think you have seen in the majors, he's a superstar. He's a great pitcher, and he's going to do the job that he's been doing in the majors. We trust him.

Q. Knowing that the tournament is in the middle of Spring Training, do you have a specific working plan with instructions from the Atlanta Braves? Personally speaking, what's your mindset for the game tomorrow?

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: My mindset is to go out and to try to get to the bases so that the other teammates do their job. I know I have no restrictions or instructions from my organization. Everything is okay.

Q. Ronald, you have played in the Venezuelan league. Representing your country here, wearing that jersey, one of the best players in the business, how do you do that? Are you flexible to do that? Many people wouldn't do it.

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: Well, if they don't do it, it's because they don't want it. The important thing is to play. It is the same baseball in Venezuela as we have here in the States. As long as I'm healthy, I'm going to help my country.

Q. You are a very charismatic guy, always very happy, and I think you are kind of down today. What do you think about the Venezuela team after the preparation games?

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: We're okay. We have a very positive energy. What happened in the previous games is in the past. We are healthy, and tomorrow we are going to do our best on the field.

Q. Ronald, you are physically talented, but how about mentally? How do you prepare yourself for the game, for the fans, for the atmosphere, to stay focused?

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: Just staying focused, pitch after pitch. I try to control what I can control. And the fans are fans; you have to forget about the fans and do your job.

Q. I was talking to your father about Savannah players in the team. How about Michael Garcia; he's so close to you? What does that represent?

RONALD ACUÑA, JR.: It means a lot to me. Playing with my brother, it's a dream come true for us and for Savannah.