RONALD Jose ACUNA Jr.
Image of
Nickname:   N/A Position:   OF
Home: N/A Team:   BRAVES
Height: 6' 0" Bats:   R
Weight: 205 Throws:   R
DOB: 12/18/1997 Agent: N/A
Uniform #: 13  
Birth City: La Guaira, Venezuela
Draft: 2014 - Braves - Free agent - Out of Venezuela
YR LEA TEAM SAL(K) G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO OBP SLG AVG
2015 APP DANVILLE   18 69 10 20 5 2 1 7 5 1 10 19 .388 .464 .290
2015 GCL GCL-Braves   37 132 31 34 9 2 3 11 11 3 18 23 .376 .424 .258
2016 GCL GCL-Braves   2 6 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 .500 .333 .333
2016 SAL ROME   40 148 27 46 2 2 4 18 14 7 18 28 .387 .432 .311
2017 IL GWINNETT   54 221 38 76 14 2 9 33 11 6 17 48 .393 .548 .344
2017 SL MISSISSIPPI   57 221 29 72 14 1 9 30 19 11 18 56 .374 .520 .326
2017 FSL FLORIDA   28 115 21 33 3 5 3 19 14 3 8 40 .336 .478 .287
2018 IL GWINNETT   23 90 9 19 2 0 1 3 5 1 11 25 .297 .267 .211
2018 NL BRAVES $545.00 111 433 78 127 26 4 26 64 16 5 45 123 .366 .552 .293
2019 NL BRAVES $560.00 156 626 127 175 22 2 41 101 37 9 76 188 .365 .518 .280
2020 NL BRAVES $370.00 46 160 46 40 11 0 14 29 8 1 38 60 .406 .581 .250
2021 NL BRAVES   82 297 72 84 19 1 24 52 17 6 49 85 .304 .596 .283
2022 IL GWINNETT   6 19 4 7 1 0 0 1 3 0 6 6 .520 .421 .368
2022 NL BRAVES   119 467 71 124 24 0 15 50 29 11 53 126 .351 .413 .266
Today's Game Notes

  • March 5, 2023: Ronald Acuña Jr. didn’t need an interpreter when asked if he feels a lot better this year than he did last year.

    “A hundred percent,” Acuña said with a smile.

    That was Acuña’s response even before he showed off his five-tool talents during the 10-6 loss to the Yankees at CoolToday Park. This was the last contest he and fellow outfielder Eddie Rosario will play for the Braves for at least the next week. Both will join their respective World Baseball Classic teams.

    Acuña and his Team Venezuela teammates will spend the next few days at their training camp in West Palm Beach. Rosario and Team Puerto Rico will train in Fort Myers. Both countries are in Pool D, which begins play on Saturday at Miami’s loanDepot park. Other teams in this pool include the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Israel. “Everybody I’ve talked to who has [participated] has had a ball,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “So I think it will be good for them to go hang out with the guys and be teammates with them. I think it will be fun.”

    The top two teams from this pool will advance to the quarterfinals, which, like the semifinals and finals, will also be played in Miami. The combination of great talent and lively crowds should create a postseason-like atmosphere.

    “It’s going to be a great experience,” Acuña said through an interpreter.

    Fortunately, Acuña will enter this global stage having distanced himself from the frustration his surgically repaired right knee created last year. He spent that time dealing with the lingering effects of the torn right anterior cruciate ligament that cost him the second half of the 2021 season. But the first few weeks of Spring Training have given him reason to believe he has regained the power, speed and endurance he lacked last year. Acuña raced to catch a ball in the right-center-field gap, recorded an infield single and stole second base all within the first inning of Sunday’s game. The 25-year-old outfielder added a double off Carlos Rodón in the third inning. He went 6-for-14 during five Grapefruit League games leading up to the WBC.

    Most importantly, Acuña did all of this without displaying the limp that was often seen when he stepped awkwardly or simply battled fatigue after playing for an extended stretch last year. Acuña will not have any restrictions during the WBC. The Braves are confident he is ready to play nine-plus innings in the field on consecutive days whenever necessary.

    “He’s ready to go,” Snitker said. “We’ve had him here for three weeks. All of those guys came in a week early. They’ve played six innings [in Grapefruit League games], and we may get them up to seven innings before they leave here.”  In other words, the baseball world should be in for a treat when a healthy Acuña competes against the loaded Dominican Republic team that includes his good friend Juan Soto, or the Puerto Rican squad, which also features Francisco Lindor.

    “I’m going to face and play against a lot of superstars,” Acuña said. “So, of course, I’m going to be ready for the season.”

  • 2023: If Acuña gets off to a good start to the regular season, he’s certainly capable of recording just the fifth 40-40 season in MLB history. He finished three stolen bases shy in 2019, when he had 41 homers and 37 steals. In 2021, he was on pace to hit 44 homers and swipe 31 bags before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

    “I expect him to be better than the 2019 Ronald, when he went off,” Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies said. “I think he’s going to have a good year. Last year, he came back and he wasn’t playing at 100 percent. He feels better this year.” (M Bowman = MLB.com - March 5, 2023)

  • Feb 14, 2023:  As Ronald Acuña Jr. spoke to media members at Braves Fest on Jan. 21, it was clear he was really looking forward to the chance to prove he is healthy and capable of once again consistently creating jaw-dropping moments on a baseball field.

    “I’m beyond excited and happy,” a smiling Acuña said through an interpreter. “I think my face says it all. I feel like it’s been two years to this point since I felt completely healthy. So, I’m really excited.”

    How excited? Well, Acuña is one of the many Braves position players who have reported to Spring Training a week before the team’s first full-squad workout. He showed his raw power as he took batting practice with Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies at CoolToday Park. This could be a very rewarding year for Acuña, who is confident he will no longer be affected by the lingering results of the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in his right knee on July 10, 2021.Acuña returned by the end of last April and played 119 games for the Braves. But with his surgically-repaired knee still proving bothersome, he never consistently displayed the power and speed that makes him one of the best talents his franchise has ever seen. This year should be different.

    “I’m not going to have any pain, I’m going to be fully healthy and I’m going to be able to do whatever I’m capable of doing on the field,” Acuña said.

    With Acuña just 25 years old, we still don’t know exactly what he is fully capable of doing on a baseball field. But the three-time All-Star provided a glimpse in 2019, when he finished three stolen bases shy of recording what would have been just the fifth 40-homer, 40-stolen base season in AL/NL history.

    Acuña fell just short of joining that exclusive 40-40 club, and he also might have won the 2021 National League MVP Award had he not suffered his ACL tear while attempting to catch a fly ball along the warning track in Miami, two days before the All-Star break began. So, the baseball world is looking forward to again watching a healthy Acuña pursue greatness over an entire season.

    “I expect him to be better than the 2019 Ronald, when he went off,” Albies said. “I think he’s going to have a good year. Last year, he came back and he wasn’t playing at 100 percent. He feels better this year.”

  • Acuña hit .266 with 15 homers and a .764 OPS over 119 games in 2022. He was successful on 29 of 40 stolen base attempts (72.5 percent success rate) and homered once every 31.1 at-bats. It wasn’t a horrible season. It just didn’t match the levels he had reached the previous few years.

    How far off was Acuña from his normal production? Over the 395 games he had appeared in before last year, he had hit .281 with a .925 OPS. He was successful in 78 of 99 stolen base attempts (78.8 percent success rate) and he homered once every 14.4 at-bats.

    “I saw him grind through the whole year to make sure he was able to play all the time last year,” Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. “That’s something that people on the outside don't see, but in the clubhouse you see it every single day. I’m happy for him that he’s going to be fully healthy for the whole year. I think it’s going to be pretty special. “I’ve seen it a few times here. It’s indescribable and unfathomable the kind of show he can put on, especially when he gets hot.”

    Acuña showed flashes of being himself while the Braves prevented him from playing over three consecutive days during his first few weeks back from the injured list last year. But his knee became more problematic and his production dipped after he began playing on a daily basis.

    Having rested this offseason -- minus playing a couple of weeks in the Venezuelan Winter League -- Acuña has come to camp with both good health and his swagger. Now, he’s ready to show he can still be one of the game’s most dynamic and entertaining players for many years to come. (M Bowman - MLB.com - Feb 14, 2023)

Personal

  • July CLASS="highlight"> 2, CLASS="highlight"> 2014: CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> $100,000, CLASS="highlight"> via CLASS="highlight"> scout CLASS="highlight"> Polando CLASS="highlight"> Petit. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> Not CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> Atlanta CLASS="highlight"> skip CLASS="highlight"> Ronnie CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Dominican CLASS="highlight"> Summer CLASS="highlight"> League, CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> also CLASS="highlight"> promoted CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> August CLASS="highlight"> 2015 CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Rookie-level CLASS="highlight"> Appalachian CLASS="highlight"> League, CLASS="highlight"> where CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> continued CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> hit.

    Ronald's CLASS="highlight"> bonus CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> very CLASS="highlight"> large. CLASS="highlight"> Nearly 200 CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> international CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> during CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> signing CLASS="highlight"> period. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> themselves CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> six CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> larger CLASS="highlight"> bonuses.

    In CLASS="highlight"> fact, CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> woke CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> morning CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> July CLASS="highlight"> 2, CLASS="highlight"> 2014, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> day CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> signing CLASS="highlight"> period, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> planned CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> sign CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> another CLASS="highlight"> team, CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> less CLASS="highlight"> money.

    “I CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> going CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> sign CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Royals,” CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> “But CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> same CLASS="highlight"> day, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> called CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> offered CLASS="highlight"> me CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> money. CLASS="highlight"> So, CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> decided CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> sign CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves.”

  • Ronald began CLASS="highlight"> playing CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> age CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> 3 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> wanted CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> professionally CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> long CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> remember. CLASS="highlight"> Unlike CLASS="highlight"> many CLASS="highlight"> young CLASS="highlight"> Latin CLASS="highlight"> American CLASS="highlight"> players, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> advanced CLASS="highlight"> rapidly CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> U.S. CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> little CLASS="highlight"> difficulty CLASS="highlight"> adjusting.

    “A CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> people CLASS="highlight"> helped CLASS="highlight"> me CLASS="highlight"> (adjust CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> U.S.),” CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> translator CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> April CLASS="highlight"> 2016, CLASS="highlight"> “and CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> doing CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> always CLASS="highlight"> wanted CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> do. CLASS="highlight"> It’s CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> fun CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> feel CLASS="highlight"> good.”

  • After CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 2016 CLASS="highlight"> season, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna made CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> lost CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> winter CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Australian CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> League, CLASS="highlight"> where CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> earned CLASS="highlight"> all-star CLASS="highlight"> honors CLASS="highlight"> while CLASS="highlight"> hitting CLASS="highlight"> .375/.446/.556 CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 20 CLASS="highlight"> games.

  • Ronald CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> advanced CLASS="highlight"> feel CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game. CLASS="highlight"> He's CLASS="highlight"> quite CLASS="highlight"> athletic CLASS="highlight"> also—a CLASS="highlight"> nice CLASS="highlight"> combination. CLASS="highlight"> “I CLASS="highlight"> think CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> we’re CLASS="highlight"> seeing CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> combination CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> increase CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> experience CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> physical CLASS="highlight"> maturity CLASS="highlight"> coming CLASS="highlight"> together CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> produce CLASS="highlight"> some CLASS="highlight"> impressive CLASS="highlight"> results,” CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> general CLASS="highlight"> manager John CLASS="highlight"> Coppolella said. CLASS="highlight"> “I CLASS="highlight"> don’t CLASS="highlight"> think CLASS="highlight"> there’s CLASS="highlight"> any CLASS="highlight"> doubt CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> tools CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> develop CLASS="highlight"> into CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> impact CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> higher CLASS="highlight"> levels CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> game.”

  • In CLASS="highlight"> 2016, CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> America CLASS="highlight"> rated CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 26th-best CLASS="highlight"> prospect CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves' CLASS="highlight"> organization. CLASS="highlight"> They CLASS="highlight"> moved CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> way CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> 6th-best CLASS="highlight"> prospect CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> offseason CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> 2017 CLASS="highlight"> spring CLASS="highlight"> training. CLASS="highlight"> And CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> winter CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> 2018 CLASS="highlight"> spring CLASS="highlight"> camps CLASS="highlight"> opened, CLASS="highlight"> BA CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> #1 CLASS="highlight"> prospect CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves' CLASS="highlight"> organization.

  • In CLASS="highlight"> 2017, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> represented CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Futures CLASS="highlight"> game. As CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> flown CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves' CLASS="highlight"> farm CLASS="highlight"> system, CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> shown CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> tools CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> become CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> Major CLASS="highlight"> Leaguer.  CLASS="highlight"> At CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 2017 CLASS="highlight"> SiriusXM CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Futures CLASS="highlight"> Game, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 19-year-old CLASS="highlight"> continued CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> prove CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> well-rounded CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> arm CLASS="highlight"> strength CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> outfield CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> solid CLASS="highlight"> contact CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> plate.

    In CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 7-6 CLASS="highlight"> victory CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> U.S. CLASS="highlight"> team, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> showed CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> arm CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> field CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> two CLASS="highlight"> rockets CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> clocked CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> 95.2 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 96.7 CLASS="highlight"> mph, CLASS="highlight"> according CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> Statcast, CLASS="highlight"> further CLASS="highlight"> backing CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> idea CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> might CLASS="highlight"> become CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> league CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> near CLASS="highlight"> future.

    "Those CLASS="highlight"> throws CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> something CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> do CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> natural," CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> interpreter. CLASS="highlight"> "I CLASS="highlight"> don't CLASS="highlight"> try CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> do CLASS="highlight"> too CLASS="highlight"> much. CLASS="highlight"> My CLASS="highlight"> arm CLASS="highlight"> strength CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> something CLASS="highlight"> natural."

  • 2017 CLASS="highlight"> season: CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> batted CLASS="highlight"> .325, CLASS="highlight"> tallied CLASS="highlight"> 21 CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> runs, CLASS="highlight"> recorded CLASS="highlight"> 44 CLASS="highlight"> stolen CLASS="highlight"> bases, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> compiled CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> .896 CLASS="highlight"> OPS CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 612 CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> appearances CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> Class CLASS="highlight"> A CLASS="highlight"> Advanced CLASS="highlight"> Florida, CLASS="highlight"> Mississippi, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Triple-A CLASS="highlight"> Gwinnett CLASS="highlight"> combined. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> 19-year-old CLASS="highlight"> Venezuela CLASS="highlight"> native CLASS="highlight"> improved CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> OPS CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> each CLASS="highlight"> level CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> truly CLASS="highlight"> proved CLASS="highlight"> himself CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> Gwinnett, CLASS="highlight"> where CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> .344 CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> .940 CLASS="highlight"> OPS CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> 54 CLASS="highlight"> games.

    In CLASS="highlight"> 2017, CLASS="highlight"> Ron CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> America's CLASS="highlight"> Minor CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> Player CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Year.

    Acuna's CLASS="highlight"> great CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> people CLASS="highlight"> talking.

    “I CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> opportunity CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Ken CLASS="highlight"> Griffey CLASS="highlight"> Jr., CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Alex CLASS="highlight"> Rodriguez, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> now CLASS="highlight"> Acuna," CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> Gwinnett CLASS="highlight"> hitting CLASS="highlight"> coach CLASS="highlight"> John CLASS="highlight"> Moses, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> former CLASS="highlight"> Mariner. CLASS="highlight"> "I CLASS="highlight"> mean CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> throw CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> into CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> guys, CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> me, CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> 19 CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> old. CLASS="highlight"> He’s CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> going CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> better. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> guys CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> special CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> come CLASS="highlight"> around CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> this.” 

    Braves CLASS="highlight"> Assistant CLASS="highlight"> Farm CLASS="highlight"> Director CLASS="highlight"> Jon CLASS="highlight"> Schuerholz: CLASS="highlight"> “Watching CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> play, CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> see CLASS="highlight"> it. CLASS="highlight"> This CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> meant CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> do CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> put CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> earth. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> meant CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> baseball.” 

  • In CLASS="highlight"> 2017, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> named CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> Prospect CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Year CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> MLB CLASS="highlight"> Pipeline.com.

  • In CLASS="highlight"> 2017, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> invited CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the AFL CLASS="highlight"> Fall CLASS="highlight"> Stars CLASS="highlight"> Game.

    FAMILY CLASS="highlight"> OF CLASS="highlight"> BALLPLAYERS

  • Acuna's CLASS="highlight"> father, CLASS="highlight"> Ron CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Sr., CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> grandfather, CLASS="highlight"> Romualdo CLASS="highlight"> Blanco, CLASS="highlight"> both CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Minor CLASS="highlight"> Leagues. CLASS="highlight"> And CLASS="highlight"> several CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> family CLASS="highlight"> members CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> baseball, CLASS="highlight"> too.

    Ron CLASS="highlight"> Sr. CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> three CLASS="highlight"> different CLASS="highlight"> organizations: CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Mets CLASS="highlight"> system CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> 1999-2004, CLASS="highlight"> Blue CLASS="highlight"> Jays CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2005, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Brewers CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2006.

    His CLASS="highlight"> grandfather, CLASS="highlight"> Rosmaldo CLASS="highlight"> (Romo) CLASS="highlight"> Blanco CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> pitcher CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Astros' CLASS="highlight"> farm CLASS="highlight"> system.

  • November CLASS="highlight"> 18, CLASS="highlight"> 2017: CLASS="highlight"> When CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Mesa CLASS="highlight"> Solar CLASS="highlight"> Sox CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Peoria CLASS="highlight"> Javelinas CLASS="highlight"> take CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> field CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Arizona CLASS="highlight"> Fall CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> championship CLASS="highlight"> game, CLASS="highlight"> no CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> draw CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> attention CLASS="highlight"> than CLASS="highlight"> Atlanta CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> 19-year-old CLASS="highlight"> outfield CLASS="highlight"> phenom CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuna. CLASS="highlight"> Acuna's CLASS="highlight"> rise CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> prospect CLASS="highlight"> stardom CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> rapid CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> somewhat CLASS="highlight"> unexpected, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> perhaps CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> spotlight CLASS="highlight"> should CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> shone CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> bit CLASS="highlight"> sooner.

    Not CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> potential CLASS="highlight"> five-tool CLASS="highlight"> superstar, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> comes CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> family—something CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> often CLASS="highlight"> gets CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> noticed CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> bit CLASS="highlight"> earlier, CLASS="highlight"> especially CLASS="highlight"> toward CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> beginning CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> careers. 

    "I CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> many CLASS="highlight"> cousins CLASS="highlight"> playing CLASS="highlight"> organized CLASS="highlight"> baseball," CLASS="highlight"> Ron CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "They CLASS="highlight"> [served] CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> motivation CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> kid CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> saw CLASS="highlight"> them CLASS="highlight"> play."

    While CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> cousins CLASS="highlight"> served CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> motivation, CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> father CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> grandfather CLASS="highlight"> provided CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> good CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> genetics. CLASS="highlight"> Blanco, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> righthander, CLASS="highlight"> posted CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 4.58 CLASS="highlight"> ERA CLASS="highlight"> across CLASS="highlight"> six CLASS="highlight"> Minor CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> seasons. CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Sr. CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> .282 CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> eight CLASS="highlight"> Minor CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> seasons. "I CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> told CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> good CLASS="highlight"> ballplayer," CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> grandfather. CLASS="highlight"> "He CLASS="highlight"> threw CLASS="highlight"> hard, CLASS="highlight"> 99 CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> 100 CLASS="highlight"> miles CLASS="highlight"> per CLASS="highlight"> hour, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 40-man CLASS="highlight"> roster." 

    Perhaps CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> those CLASS="highlight"> people CLASS="highlight"> telling CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ballplayers CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> family CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> Luis CLASS="highlight"> Salazar, CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> managed CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Double-A CLASS="highlight"> Mississippi CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> currently CLASS="highlight"> managing CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Arizona CLASS="highlight"> Fall CLASS="highlight"> League's CLASS="highlight"> Peoria CLASS="highlight"> Javelinas.

    "I CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> grandfather, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> top CLASS="highlight"> prospects CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Houston CLASS="highlight"> Astros," CLASS="highlight"> Salazar CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Blanco, CLASS="highlight"> whom CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Venezuelan CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> member CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> La CLASS="highlight"> Guaira CLASS="highlight"> Sharks CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 1974-1975. But CLASS="highlight"> that's CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> Salazar's CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> connection CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> family—he CLASS="highlight"> also CLASS="highlight"> managed CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Sr. CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> winter CLASS="highlight"> leagues.

    Of CLASS="highlight"> course, CLASS="highlight"> neither CLASS="highlight"> Acuna's CLASS="highlight"> grandfather CLASS="highlight"> nor CLASS="highlight"> father CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> type CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> career CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> many CLASS="highlight"> expect CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> have. CLASS="highlight"> This CLASS="highlight"> season, CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> slashed CLASS="highlight"> .325/.374/.522 CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 21 CLASS="highlight"> homers CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 44 CLASS="highlight"> stolen CLASS="highlight"> bases CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> 139 CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> across CLASS="highlight"> three CLASS="highlight"> levels. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> then CLASS="highlight"> went CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Arizona CLASS="highlight"> Fall CLASS="highlight"> League, CLASS="highlight"> where CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> continued CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> rake, CLASS="highlight"> hitting CLASS="highlight"> .325 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> leading CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> league CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> seven CLASS="highlight"> homers CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 23 CLASS="highlight"> games.

    "I'm CLASS="highlight"> very CLASS="highlight"> proud CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> him, CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> earlier, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> happy," CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Sr. CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "I'm CLASS="highlight"> hoping CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> stays CLASS="highlight"> healthy CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> does CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> everyone CLASS="highlight"> says CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> do."

    As CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> everyone CLASS="highlight"> says CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> do—many CLASS="highlight"> expect CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> baseball's CLASS="highlight"> next CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> phenom CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> although CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> still CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> teenager, CLASS="highlight"> everything CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> done CLASS="highlight"> thus CLASS="highlight"> far CLASS="highlight"> points CLASS="highlight"> straight CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> stardom. "He CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> go CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> Double-A CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> leagues," CLASS="highlight"> Salazar CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "He's CLASS="highlight"> ready CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> go CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> leagues CLASS="highlight"> next CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> kid, CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> going CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> show CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> long, CLASS="highlight"> long CLASS="highlight"> time." CLASS="highlight"> (W CLASS="highlight"> Boor CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> MLB.com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> November CLASS="highlight"> 17, CLASS="highlight"> 2017)

  • In CLASS="highlight"> 2017, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> MVP CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Arizona CLASS="highlight"> Fall CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> after CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> .325/.414/.639 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> led CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> league CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 7 CLASS="highlight"> homers CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 23 CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Peoria CLASS="highlight"> Javelinas. 

  • "Ronald's CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> special CLASS="highlight"> player," CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> manager CLASS="highlight"> Brian CLASS="highlight"> Snitker CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Spring CLASS="highlight"> Training CLASS="highlight"> 2018. CLASS="highlight"> "There's CLASS="highlight"> no CLASS="highlight"> doubt CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> it. CLASS="highlight"> You CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> see CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> watch CLASS="highlight"> him. CLASS="highlight"> He's CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> doing CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> comes CLASS="highlight"> natural. CLASS="highlight"> He's CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> trying CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> great. CLASS="highlight"> He's CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> doing CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> thing." 

    "I CLASS="highlight"> put CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> same CLASS="highlight"> class CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> [Mike] CLASS="highlight"> Trouts CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> [Bryce] CLASS="highlight"> Harpers," CLASS="highlight"> Ralph CLASS="highlight"> Garr, Braves CLASS="highlight"> guest CLASS="highlight"> instructor CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "They're CLASS="highlight"> special CLASS="highlight"> people. CLASS="highlight"> Some CLASS="highlight"> people CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> gifted. CLASS="highlight"> God CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> seemed CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> bless CLASS="highlight"> people CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> special CLASS="highlight"> talents, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> they're CLASS="highlight"> able CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> stand CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> little CLASS="highlight"> above CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> norm. CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> never CLASS="highlight"> know CLASS="highlight"> what's CLASS="highlight"> going CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> happen, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> can't CLASS="highlight"> say CLASS="highlight"> until CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> chance CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> do CLASS="highlight"> it. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> 20 CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> see CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> well CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> does."  CLASS="highlight"> (Bowman CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> mlb.com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> 3/15/2018)

  • MLB CLASS="highlight"> debut CLASS="highlight"> (April CLASS="highlight"> 25, CLASS="highlight"> 2018): CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> long-awaited CLASS="highlight"> debut, CLASS="highlight"> after CLASS="highlight"> he’d CLASS="highlight"> struggled CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> weeks CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> service CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves’ CLASS="highlight"> Triple-A CLASS="highlight"> affiliate. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> sole, CLASS="highlight"> obvious CLASS="highlight"> purpose CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> delay CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> could CLASS="highlight"> add CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> extra CLASS="highlight"> year CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> contract CLASS="highlight"> control CLASS="highlight"> during CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> arbitration CLASS="highlight"> process. CLASS="highlight"> During CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> back-and-forth CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> cellar-dwelling CLASS="highlight"> Reds, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> put CLASS="highlight"> most CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> Big-League-ready CLASS="highlight"> skills CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> display.

    The CLASS="highlight"> line CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> its CLASS="highlight"> own CLASS="highlight"> looked CLASS="highlight"> unremarkable—1-for-5 CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> pair CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> strikeouts—but CLASS="highlight"> it’s CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> came CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> margins CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> flashed CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> potential. CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> two CLASS="highlight"> at-bats, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> swung CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> pitches CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> saw, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> both CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> mammoth CLASS="highlight"> outs CLASS="highlight"> close CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> outfield CLASS="highlight"> wall.

    Once CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> landed CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> poke CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> middle CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> big-league CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> eighth CLASS="highlight"> inning, CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> perfect CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> showcase CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> game-changing CLASS="highlight"> speed. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> clocked CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> 30.3 CLASS="highlight"> feet/second CLASS="highlight"> sprint CLASS="highlight"> speed CLASS="highlight"> per CLASS="highlight"> Statcast, CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Billy CLASS="highlight"> Hamilton CLASS="highlight"> territory.

  • The CLASS="highlight"> search CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> next CLASS="highlight"> great CLASS="highlight"> international CLASS="highlight"> prospect CLASS="highlight"> takes CLASS="highlight"> scouts CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> corners CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Latin CLASS="highlight"> America—from CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> highways CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> bustling CLASS="highlight"> cities CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> Santo CLASS="highlight"> Domingo, CLASS="highlight"> Dominican CLASS="highlight"> Republic, CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> winding CLASS="highlight"> dirt CLASS="highlight"> roads CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> small CLASS="highlight"> fishing CLASS="highlight"> villages CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> La CLASS="highlight"> Sabana, CLASS="highlight"> Venezuela. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> path CLASS="highlight"> takes CLASS="highlight"> them CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> places CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> Mexico, CLASS="highlight"> Central CLASS="highlight"> America, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> backroads CLASS="highlight"> across CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Caribbean. CLASS="highlight"> There, CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> watch CLASS="highlight"> teenage CLASS="highlight"> prospects CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> tryouts, CLASS="highlight"> test CLASS="highlight"> them CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> private CLASS="highlight"> workouts CLASS="highlight"> and, CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> scouts CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> lucky, CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> pit CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> teens CLASS="highlight"> against CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> top CLASS="highlight"> prospects CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> games.

    And CLASS="highlight"> while CLASS="highlight"> each CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> own CLASS="highlight"> method CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> strategy, CLASS="highlight"> scouting CLASS="highlight"> 15-year-olds CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> projecting CLASS="highlight"> them CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> Major CLASS="highlight"> Leaguers CLASS="highlight"> several CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> advance CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> inexact CLASS="highlight"> science. CLASS="highlight"> Atlanta CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Jr., CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> top CLASS="highlight"> prospect CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> baseball, CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> 5-foot-10 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 160 CLASS="highlight"> pounds CLASS="highlight"> soaking CLASS="highlight"> wet CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> international CLASS="highlight"> scouts CLASS="highlight"> came CLASS="highlight"> calling CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Venezuela. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> athletic CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> family CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> pedigree, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> there CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> doubts CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> future. CLASS="highlight"> And CLASS="highlight"> those CLASS="highlight"> reservations CLASS="highlight"> helped CLASS="highlight"> keep CLASS="highlight"> 29 CLASS="highlight"> teams CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> signing CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> became CLASS="highlight"> eligible CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> July CLASS="highlight"> 2, CLASS="highlight"> 2014.

    Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> most CLASS="highlight"> dynamic CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> track CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> best CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> family CLASS="highlight"> full CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> leaguers. CLASS="highlight"> It's CLASS="highlight"> impossible CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> know CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> great CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> be, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> already CLASS="highlight"> certain CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> opposing CLASS="highlight"> international CLASS="highlight"> scouting CLASS="highlight"> directors CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> missed CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> shaking CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> heads CLASS="highlight"> every CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> steps CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> field.

    "I CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> platter CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> ready CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> sign, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> started CLASS="highlight"> getting CLASS="highlight"> picky," CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> National CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> executive CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "He CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> athletic CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> tools, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> thought CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> swing CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> too CLASS="highlight"> long. CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> mistake, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> that's CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> is. CLASS="highlight"> You CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> couple CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> looks CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> kid CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> make CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> decision. CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> learned CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> experience, CLASS="highlight"> though."

    Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Jr.'s CLASS="highlight"> size CLASS="highlight"> discouraged CLASS="highlight"> some CLASS="highlight"> scouts, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> there CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> numerous CLASS="highlight"> reasons CLASS="highlight"> why CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> many CLASS="highlight"> teams CLASS="highlight"> could CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> overlooked CLASS="highlight"> him. CLASS="highlight"> Maybe CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> didn't CLASS="highlight"> throw, CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> run CLASS="highlight"> well CLASS="highlight"> during CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> workout CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> because CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> tired CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> simply CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> bad CLASS="highlight"> day. CLASS="highlight"> Maybe CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> area CLASS="highlight"> scout CLASS="highlight"> didn't CLASS="highlight"> "pound CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> table" CLASS="highlight"> hard CLASS="highlight"> enough CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> sign CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> local CLASS="highlight"> scouts CLASS="highlight"> didn't CLASS="highlight"> see CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> perform CLASS="highlight"> well CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> games.

    There's CLASS="highlight"> also CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> second-guessing CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> comes CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> investing CLASS="highlight"> thousands, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> sometimes CLASS="highlight"> millions, CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> dollars CLASS="highlight"> into CLASS="highlight"> 16-year-old CLASS="highlight"> prospects. CLASS="highlight"> So CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> uncommon CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> decision-makers CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> some CLASS="highlight"> doubt, CLASS="highlight"> especially CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> each CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> limited CLASS="highlight"> amount CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> money CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> spend CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> international CLASS="highlight"> market. CLASS="highlight"> And CLASS="highlight"> particularly CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> lacks CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> obvious CLASS="highlight"> "wow" CLASS="highlight"> factor.

    Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Jr.'s CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> league CLASS="highlight"> cousins CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> Kelvim CLASS="highlight"> Escobar, CLASS="highlight"> Alcides CLASS="highlight"> Escobar, CLASS="highlight"> José CLASS="highlight"> Escobar, CLASS="highlight"> Edwin CLASS="highlight"> Escobar CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Vicente CLASS="highlight"> Campos. CLASS="highlight"> Angel CLASS="highlight"> Escobar, CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> La CLASS="highlight"> Sabana CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Major CLASS="highlight"> Leagues, CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> suited CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Giants CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 1988. CLASS="highlight"> Another CLASS="highlight"> brother, CLASS="highlight"> Oscar, CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Minors CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Blue CLASS="highlight"> Jays CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Pirates. CLASS="highlight"> His CLASS="highlight"> brother CLASS="highlight"> Miguel CLASS="highlight"> Escobar CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Sr.'s CLASS="highlight"> cousin, CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> also CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> godfather.

    Petit CLASS="highlight"> once CLASS="highlight"> scouted CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Sr., CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Mets CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> $15,000 CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> could CLASS="highlight"> close CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> deal. CLASS="highlight"> Years CLASS="highlight"> later, CLASS="highlight"> Petit CLASS="highlight"> asked CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> second CLASS="highlight"> opinion CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> interesting, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> undersized, CLASS="highlight"> infielder. CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> prospect, CLASS="highlight"> Jose CLASS="highlight"> Altuve, CLASS="highlight"> soon CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Astros CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> $15,000. CLASS="highlight"> Petit's CLASS="highlight"> own CLASS="highlight"> misses CLASS="highlight"> reinforced CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> valuable CLASS="highlight"> lesson CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> international CLASS="highlight"> scouting. CLASS="highlight"> (Jesse CLASS="highlight"> Sanchez- CLASS="highlight"> MLB.com-June CLASS="highlight"> 30, CLASS="highlight"> 2018)

  • November CLASS="highlight"> 2018: CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> represented CLASS="highlight"> MLB CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Tour CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Japan.

  • September CLASS="highlight"> 22, CLASS="highlight"> 2018: CLASS="highlight"> Acuna's CLASS="highlight"> first-inning CLASS="highlight"> stolen CLASS="highlight"> base CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> fourth CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> record CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> least CLASS="highlight"> 25 CLASS="highlight"> homers CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 15 CLASS="highlight"> stolen CLASS="highlight"> bases CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> age-20 CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> younger.

    Alex CLASS="highlight"> Rodriguez, CLASS="highlight"> Orlando CLASS="highlight"> Cepeda CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Trout CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> distinguished CLASS="highlight"> club. CLASS="highlight"> Trout CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> most CLASS="highlight"> recent CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> accomplish CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> feat CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> rookie CLASS="highlight"> season. CLASS="highlight"> (Mark CLASS="highlight"> Bowman- CLASS="highlight"> MLB.com) CLASS="highlight">  

  • Acuna's CLASS="highlight"> favorite CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> growing CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> Miguel CLASS="highlight"> Cabrera. CLASS="highlight"> When CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> younger, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> watched CLASS="highlight"> Miguel CLASS="highlight"> Cabrera CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Venezuela CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> compared CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> "seeing CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> president." CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> liked CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> way CLASS="highlight"> Miggy CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> ease.

    The CLASS="highlight"> two CLASS="highlight"> met CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> against CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> another CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Spring CLASS="highlight"> Training CLASS="highlight"> (2018). CLASS="highlight"> Cabrera CLASS="highlight"> gave CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> advice—telling CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> stay CLASS="highlight"> humble, CLASS="highlight"> work CLASS="highlight"> hard CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> listen CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> those CLASS="highlight"> around CLASS="highlight"> him.

    ROOKIE CLASS="highlight"> OF CLASS="highlight"> THE CLASS="highlight"> YEAR

  • In CLASS="highlight"> 2018, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Sporting CLASS="highlight"> News'  CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> Rookie CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Year, CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> selected CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> panel CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> 192 CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> players. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> publication CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> given CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> Rookie CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Year CLASS="highlight"> awards CLASS="highlight"> since CLASS="highlight"> 1946.

  • In CLASS="highlight"> 2018, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> named CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> Digest's CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> Rookie CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Year. 

  • In CLASS="highlight"> 2018, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> won CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Jackie CLASS="highlight"> Robinson CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> Rookie CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Year CLASS="highlight"> Award, CLASS="highlight"> beating CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> Juan CLASS="highlight"> Soto CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nationals CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Walker CLASS="highlight"> Buehler CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Dodgers.

    Acuna, CLASS="highlight"> 20, CLASS="highlight"> slashed CLASS="highlight"> .293/.366/.552 CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 111 CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> (487 CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> appearances), CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 26 CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> runs, CLASS="highlight"> 64 CLASS="highlight"> RBI, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 144 CLASS="highlight"> OPS+, CLASS="highlight"> .388 CLASS="highlight"> wOBA, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 143 CLASS="highlight"> wRC+ CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> East CLASS="highlight"> champion CLASS="highlight"> Braves.The CLASS="highlight"> 20-year-old CLASS="highlight"> Soto CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> .292/.406/.517 CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 22 CLASS="highlight"> homers, CLASS="highlight"> 70 CLASS="highlight"> RBI, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> .392 CLASS="highlight"> wOBA, CLASS="highlight"> 146 CLASS="highlight"> wRC+, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 142 CLASS="highlight"> OPS+ CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 116 CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nats.

  • As CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 2018 CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> drew CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> close, CLASS="highlight"> teams CLASS="highlight"> jockeyed CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> spots CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> postseason, CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> final CLASS="highlight"> cases CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> end-of-year CLASS="highlight"> awards CLASS="highlight"> and—most CLASS="highlight"> importantly—Topps CLASS="highlight"> opened CLASS="highlight"> fan CLASS="highlight"> voting CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> select CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> honor CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> being CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> No. CLASS="highlight"> 1 CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> card CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> 2019 CLASS="highlight"> set.

    Nineteen CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ballot, CLASS="highlight"> including CLASS="highlight"> recent CLASS="highlight"> winners CLASS="highlight"> (Aaron CLASS="highlight"> Judge, CLASS="highlight"> Kris CLASS="highlight"> Bryant CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Mike CLASS="highlight"> Trout), CLASS="highlight"> established CLASS="highlight"> superstars CLASS="highlight"> (Mookie CLASS="highlight"> Betts CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Bryce CLASS="highlight"> Harper) CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> rising CLASS="highlight"> stars CLASS="highlight"> (Juan CLASS="highlight"> Soto, CLASS="highlight"> Shohei CLASS="highlight"> Ohtani CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr.). CLASS="highlight"> After CLASS="highlight"> leading CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> East CLASS="highlight"> title CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> winning CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> Rookie CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Year CLASS="highlight"> Award, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> emerged CLASS="highlight"> victorious. CLASS="highlight"> (Cut4-MLB.com)

  • June CLASS="highlight"> 27, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> phenom CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> followed CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> Rookie CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Year CLASS="highlight"> performance CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2018 CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> career CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> nod. CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> rounds CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> outfield CLASS="highlight"> full CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> young CLASS="highlight"> superstars. CLASS="highlight"> Yelich CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> oldest CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> 27, CLASS="highlight"> Bellinger CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> 23 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> 21. CLASS="highlight"> They're CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> first-time CLASS="highlight"> starters, CLASS="highlight"> too. CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> fact, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> become CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> start CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Game CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> age CLASS="highlight"> 21 CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> younger CLASS="highlight"> since CLASS="highlight"> Mike CLASS="highlight"> Trout CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Bryce CLASS="highlight"> Harper CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2013. CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> also CLASS="highlight"> participated CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Home CLASS="highlight"> Run CLASS="highlight"> Derby.

  • August CLASS="highlight"> 23, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> With CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> 30th CLASS="highlight"> steal CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> second CLASS="highlight"> base. CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> joined CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 30-30 CLASS="highlight"> club. CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> savor CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> fact CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> now CLASS="highlight"> stands CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> second-youngest CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> join CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game’s CLASS="highlight"> exclusive CLASS="highlight"> club. The CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> join CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 30-30 CLASS="highlight"> club CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> 22-year-old CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> Mike CLASS="highlight"> Trout CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2012.

  • September CLASS="highlight"> 14, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> 39th CLASS="highlight"> homer CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> swiped CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> pair CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> bases CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> bring CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> total CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> 36. CLASS="highlight"> He's CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> franchise CLASS="highlight"> history CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 35-35 CLASS="highlight"> season. CLASS="highlight"> And CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> 21 CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> old, CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> youngest CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Major CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> history CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> reach CLASS="highlight"> those CLASS="highlight"> plateaus.

  • Oct CLASS="highlight"> 3, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> To CLASS="highlight"> ignore CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> foolish CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> selfish CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves’ CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> ignore CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> contributed CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> team’s CLASS="highlight"> Game CLASS="highlight"> 1 CLASS="highlight"> playoff CLASS="highlight"> loss CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Cardinals. CLASS="highlight"> Even CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> teammates CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> manager CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> unable CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> dismiss CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> anything CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> than CLASS="highlight"> inexcusable.

    For CLASS="highlight"> background: CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> August, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> benched CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> failure CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> run CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> thought CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> run. CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> playoff CLASS="highlight"> game, CLASS="highlight"> leading CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> bottom CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> seventh, CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> 3-1, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> turned CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> double CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> into CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> single. CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> golfed CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> deep CLASS="highlight"> down CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> field CLASS="highlight"> line, CLASS="highlight"> several CLASS="highlight"> yards CLASS="highlight"> fair, CLASS="highlight"> then CLASS="highlight"> gave CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> stylish CLASS="highlight"> hop, CLASS="highlight"> jogging CLASS="highlight"> toward CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> while CLASS="highlight"> carrying CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> bat CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> anticipation CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> nice, CLASS="highlight"> slow, CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> run CLASS="highlight"> trot.

    The CLASS="highlight"> ball CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> base CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> wall. CLASS="highlight"> Acuna, CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> minimally CLASS="highlight"> should CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> second, CLASS="highlight"> stood CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> first. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> score CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> inning CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> lost, CLASS="highlight"> 7-6.

    On CLASS="highlight"> TBS, CLASS="highlight"> play-by-play CLASS="highlight"> man CLASS="highlight"> Brian CLASS="highlight"> Anderson CLASS="highlight"> said: CLASS="highlight"> “I CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> eyes CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ball. CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> don’t CLASS="highlight"> know CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> busted CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> box. CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> ends CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> base.”

    Soon, CLASS="highlight"> replays CLASS="highlight"> told CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> entire CLASS="highlight"> story. CLASS="highlight"> And CLASS="highlight"> analysts CLASS="highlight"> Ron CLASS="highlight"> Darling CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Jeff CLASS="highlight"> Francoeur CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> left CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> wonder CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> going CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Acuna’s CLASS="highlight"> head CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> such CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> game. CLASS="highlight"> We’d CLASS="highlight"> heard CLASS="highlight"> Darling CLASS="highlight"> wonder CLASS="highlight"> such CLASS="highlight"> dozens CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> times CLASS="highlight"> after CLASS="highlight"> such CLASS="highlight"> displays, CLASS="highlight"> no CLASS="highlight"> good CLASS="highlight"> answers CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> follow CLASS="highlight"> except CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> incomplete CLASS="highlight"> bromide, CLASS="highlight"> “The CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> changed.” 

    In CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ninth, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> too-late, CLASS="highlight"> two-run CLASS="highlight"> homer CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> center. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> stood CLASS="highlight"> posing CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> plate, CLASS="highlight"> watching CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> slowly, CLASS="highlight"> grandly, CLASS="highlight"> jogging CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> bases CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> he’d CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> won CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game. CLASS="highlight"> (P CLASS="highlight"> Mushnick CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> New CLASS="highlight"> York CLASS="highlight"> Post CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> Oct CLASS="highlight"> 5, CLASS="highlight"> 2019) CLASS="highlight"> (Editor's CLASS="highlight"> note: CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Cardinals CLASS="highlight"> won CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> series CLASS="highlight"> three CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> two.)

  • Nov CLASS="highlight"> 17, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> Watch CLASS="highlight"> Acuña's CLASS="highlight"> younger CLASS="highlight"> brother's CLASS="highlight"> familiar CLASS="highlight"> swing. CLASS="highlight"> Ronald’s CLASS="highlight"> youngest CLASS="highlight"> brother, CLASS="highlight"> Bryan, CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> part CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> showcase CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> Salt CLASS="highlight"> River CLASS="highlight"> Fields, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> showed CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> common CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> older CLASS="highlight"> brother CLASS="highlight"> beyond CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> last CLASS="highlight"> name. 

    Bryan CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Sr.’s CLASS="highlight"> third CLASS="highlight"> son, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> 116 CLASS="highlight"> participants CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Major CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> Baseball’s CLASS="highlight"> Trainer CLASS="highlight"> Partnership CLASS="highlight"> International CLASS="highlight"> Showcase. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> youngest CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> son CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> 14, CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> won’t CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> eligible CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> sign CLASS="highlight"> until CLASS="highlight"> 2021. CLASS="highlight"> Their CLASS="highlight"> father, CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Sr., CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Mets CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 1997, CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2015 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> middle CLASS="highlight"> son, CLASS="highlight"> Luisangel, CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Rangers CLASS="highlight"> last CLASS="highlight"> year.

    The CLASS="highlight"> Acuñas’ CLASS="highlight"> extended CLASS="highlight"> family CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> further CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> ties, CLASS="highlight"> too, CLASS="highlight"> including CLASS="highlight"> Jose CLASS="highlight"> Escobar, CLASS="highlight"> Alcides CLASS="highlight"> Escobar, CLASS="highlight"> Kelvim CLASS="highlight"> Escobar, CLASS="highlight"> Edwin CLASS="highlight"> Escobar CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Vicente CLASS="highlight"> Campos, CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> whom CLASS="highlight"> reached CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Majors CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> some CLASS="highlight"> point. CLASS="highlight"> (S CLASS="highlight"> Langs CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> MLB.com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> Nov CLASS="highlight"> 17, CLASS="highlight"> 2019)

  • 2019 CLASS="highlight"> Season: Acuña CLASS="highlight"> ended CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> three CLASS="highlight"> stolen CLASS="highlight"> bases CLASS="highlight"> shy CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 40-40 CLASS="highlight"> season. CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> age CLASS="highlight"> 21, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> became CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> youngest CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> record CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 40-30 CLASS="highlight"> season. CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> fact, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> third CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 40 CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> homers CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> age CLASS="highlight"> 21 CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> younger, CLASS="highlight"> along CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Eddie CLASS="highlight"> Mathews CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Mel CLASS="highlight"> Ott.

  • Though CLASS="highlight"> Truist CLASS="highlight"> Park CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> remained CLASS="highlight"> relatively CLASS="highlight"> quiet CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> controlled CLASS="highlight"> scrimmages CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> summer CLASS="highlight"> workouts, CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> kept CLASS="highlight"> things CLASS="highlight"> lively CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> energy CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> brings CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> park CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> daily CLASS="highlight"> basis.

    As CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> stood CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> field, CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> chatter CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> singing CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> clearly CLASS="highlight"> heard CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> press CLASS="highlight"> box. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> talked CLASS="highlight"> smack CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> good CLASS="highlight"> friend CLASS="highlight"> Johan CLASS="highlight"> Camargo CLASS="highlight"> batted CLASS="highlight"> against CLASS="highlight"> Sean CLASS="highlight"> Newcomb. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> then CLASS="highlight"> howled CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> Camargo CLASS="highlight"> struck CLASS="highlight"> out.

    A CLASS="highlight"> short CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> later, CLASS="highlight"> Marcell CLASS="highlight"> Ozuna CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> target CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Acuña’s CLASS="highlight"> enthusiastic CLASS="highlight"> banter. CLASS="highlight"> After CLASS="highlight"> Ozuna CLASS="highlight"> lined CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> single CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> field CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> Grant CLASS="highlight"> Dayton, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> stood CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> top CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> dugout CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> playfully CLASS="highlight"> asked CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ball CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> sent CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> preserved CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> keepsake. 

    Once CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> received CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ball, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> waved CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> looked CLASS="highlight"> toward CLASS="highlight"> Ozuna, CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> gone CLASS="highlight"> 2-for-24 CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> Spring CLASS="highlight"> Training CLASS="highlight"> 2020 CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> shut CLASS="highlight"> down CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> March.

    “It’s CLASS="highlight"> kind CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> typical CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> group,” CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> manager CLASS="highlight"> Brian CLASS="highlight"> Snitker CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> “They’ve CLASS="highlight"> demonstrated CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> past CLASS="highlight"> few CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> much CLASS="highlight"> fun CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> playing CLASS="highlight"> baseball.”  CLASS="highlight"> (Bowman CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> mlb.com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> 7/9/2020)

  • Oct. CLASS="highlight"> 24, CLASS="highlight"> 2020: While CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> continue CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> celebrate CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> awards CLASS="highlight"> being CLASS="highlight"> handed CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> team, CLASS="highlight"> it’s CLASS="highlight"> also CLASS="highlight"> great CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> see CLASS="highlight"> some CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> these CLASS="highlight"> awards CLASS="highlight"> tied CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> great CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> past. CLASS="highlight"> Such CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> case CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Luis CLASS="highlight"> Aparicio CLASS="highlight"> Award, CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> since CLASS="highlight"> 2004 CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> annually CLASS="highlight"> given CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> best-performing CLASS="highlight"> Venezuelan CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> course CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> season.

    This CLASS="highlight"> year, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> winner CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Jr., CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> now CLASS="highlight"> joins CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> elite CLASS="highlight"> club CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> named CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> multi-year CLASS="highlight"> recipients CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> award.

    Miguel CLASS="highlight"> Cabrera CLASS="highlight"> (5 CLASS="highlight"> times), CLASS="highlight"> Jose CLASS="highlight"> Altuve CLASS="highlight"> (3 CLASS="highlight"> times), CLASS="highlight"> Johan CLASS="highlight"> Santana CLASS="highlight"> (twice), CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> (twice).  CLASS="highlight">   

  • 2020 CLASS="highlight"> Season: CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> turned CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> another CLASS="highlight"> great CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> further CLASS="highlight"> cemented CLASS="highlight"> himself CLASS="highlight"> among CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> best CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> pandemic CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> shortened CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> prevented CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> continuing CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> 40-40 CLASS="highlight"> chase CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> we CLASS="highlight"> saw CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> continue CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> evolve CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> while CLASS="highlight"> stepping CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> playing CLASS="highlight"> centerfield CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> much CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> regular CLASS="highlight"> basis CLASS="highlight"> than CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> originally CLASS="highlight"> planned.

    What CLASS="highlight"> went CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2020?

    It CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> hard CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> find CLASS="highlight"> much CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> nitpick CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Acuña’s CLASS="highlight"> 2020 CLASS="highlight"> season. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> slugged CLASS="highlight"> 14 CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> runs CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> 46 CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 202 CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> appearances. CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> recorded CLASS="highlight"> 40 CLASS="highlight"> hits CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 25 CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> them CLASS="highlight"> going CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> extra CLASS="highlight"> bases. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> posted CLASS="highlight"> career-best CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> wRC+ CLASS="highlight"> (159) CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> OPS CLASS="highlight"> (.987). CLASS="highlight"> His CLASS="highlight"> Statcast CLASS="highlight"> numbers CLASS="highlight"> illustrate CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> there CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> few CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> match CLASS="highlight"> Acuña’s CLASS="highlight"> offensive CLASS="highlight"> prowess.

    Acuña’s CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> evolved CLASS="highlight"> considerably CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> regard CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> discipline CLASS="highlight"> where CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> upped CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> OBP CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> solid CLASS="highlight"> .365 CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2019 CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> spectacular CLASS="highlight"> .406 CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> season. CLASS="highlight"> His CLASS="highlight"> walk CLASS="highlight"> rate CLASS="highlight"> jumped CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> career CLASS="highlight"> best CLASS="highlight"> 18.8%. CLASS="highlight"> To CLASS="highlight"> put CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> context, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> recorded CLASS="highlight"> 38 CLASS="highlight"> walks CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 202 CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> appearances CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> exactly CLASS="highlight"> half CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> many CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 76 CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2019 CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> 700 CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> appearances.

    Coming CLASS="highlight"> into CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> expectation CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> see CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> field, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> struggles CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Ender CLASS="highlight"> Inciarte CLASS="highlight"> necessitated CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> shift CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> center. CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> worth CLASS="highlight"> four CLASS="highlight"> Defensive CLASS="highlight"> Runs CLASS="highlight"> Saved CLASS="highlight"> while CLASS="highlight"> Statcast CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> two CLASS="highlight"> Outs CLASS="highlight"> above CLASS="highlight"> Average.

    What CLASS="highlight"> went CLASS="highlight"> wrong CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2020?

    Lingering CLASS="highlight"> wrist CLASS="highlight"> soreness CLASS="highlight"> landed CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> injured CLASS="highlight"> list CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> mid-August CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> still CLASS="highlight"> feeling CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> effects CLASS="highlight"> during CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> postseason. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> confident CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> end CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> rest CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> take CLASS="highlight"> care CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> problem CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> surgery CLASS="highlight"> wouldn’t CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> needed. CLASS="highlight"> It CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> scary CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> think CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> good CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> might CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> wrist CLASS="highlight"> issue. CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> feels CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> nitpicking CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> point CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> while CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> walk CLASS="highlight"> rate CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> jump, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> strikeout CLASS="highlight"> rate CLASS="highlight"> nudged CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> under CLASS="highlight"> 30%. CLASS="highlight"> (Kris CLASS="highlight"> Willis@Kris_Willis CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> Nov CLASS="highlight"> 18, CLASS="highlight"> 2020)

  • Dec CLASS="highlight"> 7, CLASS="highlight"> 2020: CLASS="highlight"> Ronald is CLASS="highlight"> still CLASS="highlight"> hitting CLASS="highlight"> tape-measure CLASS="highlight"> shots CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> bringing CLASS="highlight"> viewers CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> feet, CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> Major CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> ballpark. CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> video CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> appeared CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> pickup CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> posted CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> account CLASS="highlight"> El CLASS="highlight"> Extrabase, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> unleashes CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> signature CLASS="highlight"> massive CLASS="highlight"> swings CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> sends CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> ball CLASS="highlight"> deep CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> left CLASS="highlight"> field. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> watching CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> front CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> dugout CLASS="highlight"> erupt CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> follow CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> baseline CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> flips CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> bat CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> sky, CLASS="highlight"> looks CLASS="highlight"> directly CLASS="highlight"> into CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> camera CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> pats CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> chest, CLASS="highlight"> gold CLASS="highlight"> chain CLASS="highlight"> bouncing.

     Acuña CLASS="highlight"> may CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> ringer CLASS="highlight"> brought CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> scary CLASS="highlight"> thought CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> any CLASS="highlight"> pitcher. CLASS="highlight"> Clearly, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves' CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> holding CLASS="highlight"> back, CLASS="highlight"> no CLASS="highlight"> matter CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> mound. CLASS="highlight"> Let's CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> thankful CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> that, CLASS="highlight"> because CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> produced CLASS="highlight"> another CLASS="highlight"> memorable CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> bat CLASS="highlight"> flip, CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> many CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> come. CLASS="highlight"> (Braves CLASS="highlight"> Team CLASS="highlight"> News CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> Nov CLASS="highlight"> 7, CLASS="highlight"> 2020)

  • July CLASS="highlight"> 2021: CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> chosen CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> start CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> outfield CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Game.

    SINGER CLASS="highlight"> HAS CLASS="highlight"> CRUSH CLASS="highlight"> ON CLASS="highlight"> RONALD CLASS="highlight"> JR.

  • Music CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> best CLASS="highlight"> vehicle CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> stories CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> unrequited CLASS="highlight"> love.  CLASS="highlight"> Now CLASS="highlight"> there CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> new CLASS="highlight"> song:  CLASS="highlight"> It's CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> Atlanta's CLASS="highlight"> superstar CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr.

    Alt-folk CLASS="highlight"> artist CLASS="highlight"> Faye CLASS="highlight"> Webster, CLASS="highlight"> herself CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> Atlanta, CLASS="highlight"> released CLASS="highlight"> "A CLASS="highlight"> Dream CLASS="highlight"> With CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> Player," CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> debut CLASS="highlight"> single CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> forthcoming CLASS="highlight"> album.  CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> song, CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> features CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> chorus CLASS="highlight"> "How CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> fall CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> love CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> someone CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> don't CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> know?" CLASS="highlight"> chronicles CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> teenage CLASS="highlight"> crush CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> Acuña. 

    "I CLASS="highlight"> saw CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> last CLASS="highlight"> night CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> dream CLASS="highlight"> / CLASS="highlight"> That’s CLASS="highlight"> still CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> closest CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> / CLASS="highlight"> That’s CLASS="highlight"> kind CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> sad, CLASS="highlight"> don’t CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> think?" CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> sings CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> verse CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> later CLASS="highlight"> adding, CLASS="highlight"> "I CLASS="highlight"> could CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> meet CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> / CLASS="highlight"> Or CLASS="highlight"> I’ll CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> keep CLASS="highlight"> wearing CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> name CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> / CLASS="highlight"> My CLASS="highlight"> shirt CLASS="highlight"> / CLASS="highlight"> Whatever CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> need CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> help CLASS="highlight"> me CLASS="highlight"> cope."

    For CLASS="highlight"> anyone CLASS="highlight"> thinking CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> couldn't CLASS="highlight"> possibly CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> Acuña, CLASS="highlight"> well, CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> admits CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> it.  CLASS="highlight"> "[It's CLASS="highlight"> a] CLASS="highlight"> song CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr., CLASS="highlight"> obviously," CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> statement. CLASS="highlight"> "Off CLASS="highlight"> tour CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> spent CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> much CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> watching CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> thought CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> wanted CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> player.  CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> I’m CLASS="highlight"> not, CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> guess CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> next CLASS="highlight"> best CLASS="highlight"> thing CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> having CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> crush CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> one.  CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> guess CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> song CLASS="highlight"> explains CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> having CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> crush CLASS="highlight"> feels CLASS="highlight"> like.  CLASS="highlight"> Having CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> conversations CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> them CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> your CLASS="highlight"> head CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> though CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> don’t CLASS="highlight"> speak CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> language, CLASS="highlight"> wearing CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> jersey CLASS="highlight"> every CLASS="highlight"> day, CLASS="highlight"> things CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> make CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> feel CLASS="highlight"> closer CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> person CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> don’t CLASS="highlight"> know CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> all.  CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> sang CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> game, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> let CLASS="highlight"> us CLASS="highlight"> meet, CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> think CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> got CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> system."

    Webster's CLASS="highlight"> new CLASS="highlight"> album, CLASS="highlight"> "I CLASS="highlight"> Know CLASS="highlight"> I’m CLASS="highlight"> Funny CLASS="highlight"> haha" CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> released CLASS="highlight"> June CLASS="highlight"> 25, CLASS="highlight"> 2021, CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> Secretly CLASS="highlight"> Canadian CLASS="highlight"> records CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> heads CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> U.S. CLASS="highlight"> Tour.  CLASS="highlight"> (Clair CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> mlb.com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> 6/24/2021)

  • Dec CLASS="highlight"> 28, CLASS="highlight"> 2021: CLASS="highlight"> How CLASS="highlight"> indie CLASS="highlight"> rocker CLASS="highlight"> Faye CLASS="highlight"> Webster's CLASS="highlight"> crush CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> helped CLASS="highlight"> inspire CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> 2021's CLASS="highlight"> best CLASS="highlight"> albums. CLASS="highlight"> Indie CLASS="highlight"> rocker CLASS="highlight"> Faye CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> spent CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> thinking CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> singing CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr.

    While CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> road CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> touring CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> 2019 CLASS="highlight"> album CLASS="highlight"> "Atlanta CLASS="highlight"> Millionaires CLASS="highlight"> Club," CLASS="highlight"> Webster, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> native CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Atlanta, CLASS="highlight"> found CLASS="highlight"> herself CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> free CLASS="highlight"> time. CLASS="highlight"> She CLASS="highlight"> spent CLASS="highlight"> much CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> watching CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves. CLASS="highlight"> On CLASS="highlight"> some CLASS="highlight"> nights CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> stream CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> Hulu CLASS="highlight"> Plus, CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> subscribed CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> watch CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> favorite CLASS="highlight"> team. CLASS="highlight"> When CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> felt CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> nostalgic, CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> turned CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> radio CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> listened CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> broadcasts, CLASS="highlight"> something CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> done CLASS="highlight"> frequently CLASS="highlight"> growing CLASS="highlight"> up. CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> quickly CLASS="highlight"> began CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> take CLASS="highlight"> notice CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr., CLASS="highlight"> then CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> rising CLASS="highlight"> superstar, CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> sparked CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> creativity. 

    "It CLASS="highlight"> wasn't CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> wanted CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> write CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> song CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> baseball," CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> told CLASS="highlight"> ESPN CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> July. CLASS="highlight"> "It CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> I'm CLASS="highlight"> writing CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> because CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> I've CLASS="highlight"> done CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> year. CLASS="highlight"> It CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> consumed CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> life, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves."

    A CLASS="highlight"> distant CLASS="highlight"> crush CLASS="highlight"> developed. CLASS="highlight"> She CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> made-up CLASS="highlight"> conversations CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> head CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Acuña, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> began CLASS="highlight"> wearing CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> team's CLASS="highlight"> jersey CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> daily CLASS="highlight"> basis. CLASS="highlight"> She CLASS="highlight"> felt CLASS="highlight"> compelled CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> put CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> thoughts CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> paper, CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> eventually CLASS="highlight"> turned CLASS="highlight"> into CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> song CLASS="highlight"> "A CLASS="highlight"> Dream CLASS="highlight"> With CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> Player," CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> single CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> critically CLASS="highlight"> acclaimed CLASS="highlight"> record CLASS="highlight"> "I CLASS="highlight"> Know CLASS="highlight"> I'm CLASS="highlight"> Funny CLASS="highlight"> haha," CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> music CLASS="highlight"> site CLASS="highlight"> Pitchfork CLASS="highlight"> recently CLASS="highlight"> named CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 11th-best CLASS="highlight"> album CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> 2021.

    "I CLASS="highlight"> could CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> meet CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> / CLASS="highlight"> Or CLASS="highlight"> I'll CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> keep CLASS="highlight"> wearing CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> name CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> shirt CLASS="highlight"> / CLASS="highlight"> Whatever CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> need CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> help CLASS="highlight"> me CLASS="highlight"> cope," CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> sings. CLASS="highlight"> "How CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> fall CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> love CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> someone CLASS="highlight"> / CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> don't CLASS="highlight"> know?"

     After CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> released CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> song CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> single CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2019, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> invited CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> sing CLASS="highlight"> "Take CLASS="highlight"> Me CLASS="highlight"> Out CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Ballgame" CLASS="highlight"> during CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> seventh-inning CLASS="highlight"> stretch. CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> grew CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> going CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> dad CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> family. CLASS="highlight"> She CLASS="highlight"> felt CLASS="highlight"> nervous CLASS="highlight"> while CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> field CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> Truist CLASS="highlight"> Park CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> batting CLASS="highlight"> practice CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> performance, CLASS="highlight"> googling CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> lyrics CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> anthem CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> reading CLASS="highlight"> them, CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> again.

    "It's CLASS="highlight"> like, CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> know CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> lyrics, CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> am CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> doing?" CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> said.

    A CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> employee CLASS="highlight"> told CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> could CLASS="highlight"> meet CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> subject CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> song, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> began CLASS="highlight"> chatting CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> translator. CLASS="highlight"> She CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> mention CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> song CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> wrote CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> him. CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> fact, CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> assumed CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> hadn't CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> heard CLASS="highlight"> it.

     "I CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> nothing CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> person CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> anything," CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> said.

    Before CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> two CLASS="highlight"> parted CLASS="highlight"> ways, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> something CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> say.

    "Thank CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> music," CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> And Webster's CLASS="highlight"> head CLASS="highlight"> started CLASS="highlight"> racing.

    "What CLASS="highlight"> does CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> mean?" CLASS="highlight"> Webster CLASS="highlight"> said, CLASS="highlight"> recalling CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> meeting CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Acuña. CLASS="highlight"> "Who CLASS="highlight"> told CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> something? CLASS="highlight"> It CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> me. CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> don't CLASS="highlight"> know CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> told CLASS="highlight"> you. CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> don't CLASS="highlight"> know. CLASS="highlight"> It CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> nice." CLASS="highlight"> (Joon CLASS="highlight"> Lee CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> ESPN CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> Dec CLASS="highlight"> 28, CLASS="highlight"> 2021)

  • July CLASS="highlight"> 12, CLASS="highlight"> 2021: CLASS="highlight"> To CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> sense CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> aspirations CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> confidence CLASS="highlight"> Ronnie CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> early CLASS="highlight"> age, CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> could CLASS="highlight"> simply CLASS="highlight"> ask CLASS="highlight"> whether CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> ever CLASS="highlight"> envisioned CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> point CLASS="highlight"> where CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> year, CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> garnered CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> year’s CLASS="highlight"> highest CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> vote CLASS="highlight"> totals.

    “I CLASS="highlight"> mean, CLASS="highlight"> I've CLASS="highlight"> always CLASS="highlight"> imagined,” CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> interpreter. CLASS="highlight"> “I CLASS="highlight"> know CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> talents CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> abilities CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> God CLASS="highlight"> blessed CLASS="highlight"> me CLASS="highlight"> with. CLASS="highlight"> So CLASS="highlight"> I’ve CLASS="highlight"> always CLASS="highlight"> hoped CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> imagined CLASS="highlight"> it. CLASS="highlight"> So CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> thank CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> fans CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> people CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> voted CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> me CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> second CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Game.”

    Acuña CLASS="highlight"> garnered CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> most CLASS="highlight"> votes CLASS="highlight"> among CLASS="highlight"> National CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Phase CLASS="highlight"> 1 CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> fan CLASS="highlight"> balloting CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> ranked CLASS="highlight"> second CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> Fernando CLASS="highlight"> Tatis CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Phase CLASS="highlight"> 2. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> 23-year-old CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> then CLASS="highlight"> garnered CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> votes CLASS="highlight"> than CLASS="highlight"> any CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> leaguer CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> votes CLASS="highlight"> cast CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> MLB CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> announced. CLASS="highlight"> (M CLASS="highlight"> Bowman CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> MLB.com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> July CLASS="highlight"> 12, CLASS="highlight"> 2021)

  • According CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> Danny CLASS="highlight"> Vietti, CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> MLB CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 100 CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> homers CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 75 CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> thefts CLASS="highlight"> within CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> 400 CLASS="highlight"> career CLASS="highlight"> games.

  • 2021 CLASS="highlight"> Season: CLASS="highlight"> If CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> go CLASS="highlight"> down CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> torn CLASS="highlight"> ACL, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> arguably CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> pace CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> win CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> MVP CLASS="highlight"> award. CLASS="highlight"> Unfortunately CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves, CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> figure CLASS="highlight"> things CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> without CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> superstar CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> went CLASS="highlight"> down CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Break.

    It CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> hard CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> replace CLASS="highlight"> Acuña, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> great CLASS="highlight"> deadline CLASS="highlight"> trade CLASS="highlight"> saw CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> bring CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> four CLASS="highlight"> outfielders CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> replace CLASS="highlight"> Ronnie CLASS="highlight"> . CLASS="highlight"> . CLASS="highlight"> . CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> worked CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> well.

    Talking CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr., CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> pace CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> MVP CLASS="highlight"> award. CLASS="highlight"> Through CLASS="highlight"> 82 CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 360 CLASS="highlight"> plate CLASS="highlight"> appearances, CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> hitting CLASS="highlight"> .283/.394/.596 CLASS="highlight"> 24 CLASS="highlight"> HR, CLASS="highlight"> 72 CLASS="highlight"> R, CLASS="highlight"> 52 CLASS="highlight"> RBI, CLASS="highlight"> 17 CLASS="highlight"> SB, CLASS="highlight"> .412 CLASS="highlight"> wOBA, CLASS="highlight"> 157 CLASS="highlight"> wRC+, CLASS="highlight"> 155 CLASS="highlight"> OPS+, CLASS="highlight"> 4.2 CLASS="highlight"> fWAR, CLASS="highlight"> & CLASS="highlight"> 3.6 CLASS="highlight"> bWAR.

    Acuña CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> solid CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> basepaths CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 3.8 CLASS="highlight"> BsR CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 2.2 CLASS="highlight"> UBR. CLASS="highlight"> His CLASS="highlight"> defensive CLASS="highlight"> metrics CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 2 CLASS="highlight"> DRS CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 0 CLASS="highlight"> OAA.

    To CLASS="highlight"> show CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> great CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> half-a-season, CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> 4.2 CLASS="highlight"> fWAR CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> good CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> 51st CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> baseball, CLASS="highlight"> 28th CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> National CLASS="highlight"> League. CLASS="highlight"> His CLASS="highlight"> 4. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">2 CLASS="highlight"> fWAR CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> led CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Marlins, CLASS="highlight"> Cubs, CLASS="highlight"> Reds, CLASS="highlight"> Colorado CLASS="highlight"> Rockies, CLASS="highlight"> Diamondbacks, CLASS="highlight"> Twins, CLASS="highlight"> Tigers, CLASS="highlight"> Mariners, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Rangers.

     It CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> unfortunate CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> Acuña’s CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> cut CLASS="highlight"> short CLASS="highlight"> because CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> historic CLASS="highlight"> pace. CLASS="highlight"> Hopefully CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> pick CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> where CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> left CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2022. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">  CLASS="highlight"> (Trent CLASS="highlight"> Dickeson CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> Feb. CLASS="highlight"> 13, CLASS="highlight"> 2022)

  • June CLASS="highlight"> 30, CLASS="highlight"> 2022: CLASS="highlight"> Acuna, CLASS="highlight"> 24, CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> named CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> third CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Game. CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> batting CLASS="highlight"> .281 CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> seven CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> runs, CLASS="highlight"> 18 CLASS="highlight"> RBIs, CLASS="highlight"> 28 CLASS="highlight"> runs CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 13 CLASS="highlight"> stolen CLASS="highlight"> bases CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> 43 CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> year. 

  • July CLASS="highlight"> 1, CLASS="highlight"> 2022: CLASS="highlight"> Phase CLASS="highlight"> 1 CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> two-phase CLASS="highlight"> voting CLASS="highlight"> process CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> year’s CLASS="highlight"> MLB CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> Game CLASS="highlight"> starters CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> complete, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> top CLASS="highlight"> vote-getter CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> each CLASS="highlight"> league CLASS="highlight"> getting CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> automatic CLASS="highlight"> spot CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> club’s CLASS="highlight"> starting CLASS="highlight"> lineup CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Midsummer CLASS="highlight"> Classic, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> line.

    The CLASS="highlight"> top CLASS="highlight"> vote-getter CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> National CLASS="highlight"> League, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> late CLASS="highlight"> surge CLASS="highlight"> pushed CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> past CLASS="highlight"> Mookie CLASS="highlight"> Betts CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> fewer CLASS="highlight"> than CLASS="highlight"> 24,000 CLASS="highlight"> votes. CLASS="highlight"> Acuña, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> superstar CLASS="highlight"> outfielder CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves, CLASS="highlight"> got CLASS="highlight"> 3,503,188 CLASS="highlight"> votes. CLASS="highlight"> (M CLASS="highlight"> Randhawa CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> MLB.com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> July CLASS="highlight"> 1, CLASS="highlight"> 2022)

    Acuña CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> starting CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> second CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> career, CLASS="highlight"> becoming CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> fourth CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> player CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> start CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> multiple CLASS="highlight"> All-Star CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> turning CLASS="highlight"> 25. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> also CLASS="highlight"> participated CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Home CLASS="highlight"> Run CLASS="highlight"> Derby CLASS="highlight"> where CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> longest CLASS="highlight"> blast CLASS="highlight"> traveling CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> Statcast-projected CLASS="highlight"> 472 CLASS="highlight"> feet CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> cleared CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> roof CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> left-center CLASS="highlight"> field CLASS="highlight"> pavilion CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> its CLASS="highlight"> way CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ballpark, CLASS="highlight"> putting CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> exclusive CLASS="highlight"> company.

    In CLASS="highlight"> 60 CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> competition CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> Dodger CLASS="highlight"> Stadium, CLASS="highlight"> only CLASS="highlight"> five CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> launched CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> ball CLASS="highlight"> entirely CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ballpark: CLASS="highlight"> Fernando CLASS="highlight"> Tatis CLASS="highlight"> Jr., CLASS="highlight"> Giancarlo CLASS="highlight"> Stanton, CLASS="highlight"> Mark CLASS="highlight"> McGwire, CLASS="highlight"> Mike CLASS="highlight"> Piazza CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Willie CLASS="highlight"> Stargell CLASS="highlight"> (twice).

    WINTER CLASS="highlight"> LEAGUE CLASS="highlight"> IN CLASS="highlight"> VENEZUELA

  • Nov CLASS="highlight"> 4, CLASS="highlight"> 2022:  CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> biggest CLASS="highlight"> Major CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> star CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> Venezuela CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> produced CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> recent CLASS="highlight"> years. CLASS="highlight"> However, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> country’s CLASS="highlight"> devoted CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> fanbase CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> chance CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> see CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> star CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> fielder CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> action CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> own CLASS="highlight"> soil.  CLASS="highlight"> Until CLASS="highlight"> now. 

    Acuña CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> received CLASS="highlight"> permission CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Atlanta CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> suit CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Tiburones CLASS="highlight"> de CLASS="highlight"> la CLASS="highlight"> Guaira CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Venezuelan CLASS="highlight"> Professional CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> League CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> winter. CLASS="highlight"> While CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Tiburones CLASS="highlight"> represent CLASS="highlight"> Acuña’s CLASS="highlight"> hometown CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> La CLASS="highlight"> Guaira, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> plays CLASS="highlight"> its CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> Estadio CLASS="highlight"> Universitario CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> capital CLASS="highlight"> city CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Caracas.  

    Acuña CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> announcement CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> video CLASS="highlight"> posted CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Tiburones’ CLASS="highlight"> Twitter. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> Atlanta CLASS="highlight"> GM CLASS="highlight"> Alex CLASS="highlight"> Anthopoulos CLASS="highlight"> confirmed CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> green CLASS="highlight"> light CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> five CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> La CLASS="highlight"> Guaira, CLASS="highlight"> strictly CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> designated CLASS="highlight"> hitter. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Tiburones CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> announced CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> date CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> Acuña’s CLASS="highlight"> debut. CLASS="highlight"> (N CLASS="highlight"> Alonso CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> MLB.com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> Nov CLASS="highlight"> 4, CLASS="highlight"> 2022)

  • Jan. CLASS="highlight"> 24, CLASS="highlight"> 2023: CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> Jr. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> announced CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> retirement CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Venezuela CLASS="highlight"> following CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> altercation CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> family CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> stands. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> fans CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> graced CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> all-time CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> run CLASS="highlight"> celebration CLASS="highlight"> from CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Venezuelan CLASS="highlight"> Winter CLASS="highlight"> League, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> apparently, CLASS="highlight"> there CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> some CLASS="highlight"> things CLASS="highlight"> going CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> behind CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> scenes CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> turned CLASS="highlight"> violent. CLASS="highlight"> His CLASS="highlight"> family CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> attacked CLASS="highlight"> during CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 7th CLASS="highlight"> inning CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • Acuna CLASS="highlight"> committed CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> Venezuela CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 2023 CLASS="highlight"> WBC. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • It’s CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> four CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> since CLASS="highlight"> Acuña’s CLASS="highlight"> breakout CLASS="highlight"> 2019 CLASS="highlight"> season, CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> 41 CLASS="highlight"> homers, CLASS="highlight"> drove CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 101 CLASS="highlight"> runs CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> led CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 37 CLASS="highlight"> stolen CLASS="highlight"> bases. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> Acuña, CLASS="highlight"> 25, CLASS="highlight"> hasn’t CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> than CLASS="highlight"> 119 CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> since. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> underwent CLASS="highlight"> ACL CLASS="highlight"> surgery CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> July CLASS="highlight"> 2021 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> started CLASS="highlight"> last CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> injured CLASS="highlight"> list CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> continued CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> rehab CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> knee. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> Once CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> activated, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> held CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> own CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> hit CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> . CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">266 CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> 15 CLASS="highlight"> home CLASS="highlight"> runs CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 29 CLASS="highlight"> stolen CLASS="highlight"> bases CLASS="highlight"> (and CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> caught CLASS="highlight"> stealing CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> league-leading CLASS="highlight"> 11 CLASS="highlight"> times). CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

    Ronald CLASS="highlight"> looked CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> operating CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> 85 CLASS="highlight"> percent CLASS="highlight"> last CLASS="highlight"> season, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> spring, CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> since CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> surgery, CLASS="highlight"> he’s CLASS="highlight"> moving CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> way CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2019. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> think CLASS="highlight"> he’ll CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> back CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> playing CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> accustomed CLASS="highlight"> level. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> In CLASS="highlight"> fact, CLASS="highlight"> he’s CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> early CLASS="highlight"> pick CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> NL CLASS="highlight"> MVP.

    CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">What CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> front CLASS="highlight"> office CLASS="highlight"> says: CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> president CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> operations CLASS="highlight"> Alex CLASS="highlight"> Anthopoulos CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> “optimistic” CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2021, CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> injury. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> “Ronald CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> back CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> ‘100 CLASS="highlight"> percent’ CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> spring CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> should CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> explosive CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> ever,” CLASS="highlight"> Anthopoulos CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> asked CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> Acuña CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> looked CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> spring CLASS="highlight"> training. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> (Jim CLASS="highlight"> Bowden-Mar CLASS="highlight"> 3, CLASS="highlight"> 2023-TheAthletic)

    TRANSACTIONS

  • July CLASS="highlight"> 2, CLASS="highlight"> 2014: CLASS="highlight"> Acuna CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Braves CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> $100,000, CLASS="highlight"> via CLASS="highlight"> scout CLASS="highlight"> Polando CLASS="highlight"> Petit.

  • April CLASS="highlight"> 2, CLASS="highlight"> 2019:  CLASS="highlight"> Ronald CLASS="highlight"> announced CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> eight-year, CLASS="highlight"> $100 CLASS="highlight"> million CLASS="highlight"> contract CLASS="highlight"> extension. CLASS="highlight"> It CLASS="highlight"> includes CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> $17 CLASS="highlight"> million CLASS="highlight"> option CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> $10 CLASS="highlight"> million CLASS="highlight"> buyout CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> both CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 2027 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 2028 CLASS="highlight"> seasons. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> If CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> lives CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> expectations, CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> $124 CLASS="highlight"> million CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> receive CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> next CLASS="highlight"> 10 CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> viewed CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> team-friendly CLASS="highlight"> deal.
Batting

  • Acuna has a balanced, well-rounded skill set, with a chance for five average to plus tools. He’s a quick-twitch athlete with a strong, projectable build. Ronald has many strengths, and few glaring weaknesses. He is going to be an All-Star multiple times. 

    He's the rare prospect who actually carries future 60 (or better) grades on the 20-80 scale for all five tools. Acuna is a 70 runner with 70 defense. He has a 60 arm and a 60 hit tool. Many scouts project him to future 70 power.

    While his body is still developing, he has plus raw power and barrels pitches consistently with his above-average bat speed. Those traits should allow him to hit for average at higher levels. He already uses the whole field.

    In 2017, Ronald was probably the top power-speed prospect in the minors. And it is getting harder and harder for pitchers to strike him out. Acuna already shows an ability to lay off breaking balls and velocity out of the zone. When he gets a pitch to hit, Acuna has extremely fast hands with strong wrists that whip the bat through the zone with excellent bat speed. He already generates exceptional exit velocities, which should pay off with 25-30 home runs once he matures.  (Spring 2018)

  • Ronald is advanced at the plate, with good bat control to consistently make hard contact. He has impressive plate discipline—he works the count with an aggressive, but under control, approach. He has sneaky pop with good leverage in his swing. His outstanding bat speed, hammering fastballs to all fields.

  • He drives the ball to both gaps with authority. More power is on the way. (April 2016)

  • Ronald has quick hands and an aggressive swing, but has advanced plate discipline. He barrels pitches consistently and shows excellent raw power to the gaps, that should generate extra-base power as his body matures.

    Acuna projects as a gap-to-gap hitter and profiles as a table setter.

    "I need to be more consistent with my approach, because the pitching and the competition is better,” Ronald said. “I also have to be more patient at the plate in order to hit my pitches instead of the pitcher’s pitches.” (Spring 2016)

  • In 2017, Acuna's approach improved greatly. And the Braves front office noticed. “It was the approach,” Braves assistant farm director Jonathan Schuerholz said. “You see him laying off breaking balls out of the zone, he’s swinging at fastballs, he’s hitting balls hard when he is getting pitches to hit."

    One reason Acuna has been able to handle everything thrown at him is he knew what to expect. His father Ron was a Mets outfield prospect in the late 1990s and early 2000s and played eight seasons in the minors, topping out at Double-A. Growing up in Venezuela, Acuna got a crash course from his father on what was truly needed to be a successful ballplayer.

    “It meant a lot having a dad who played the game, a lot of experience,” Acuna said. “Every time I’m doing something wrong, I can relay it to my dad, and he can tell me I need to do things this way or that way.” (Kyle Glaser - Baseball America - 10/06/2017)

  • Acuna provides most of his value offensively. He is aggressive at the plate and on the base paths, but the righthanded batter displays solid discipline for such a young player.

    “Ronald has bat speed as well as an advanced ability to recognize pitches,” farm director Dave Trembley said. “He doesn’t expand his strike zone, and he uses the entire field to hit.”

    His power is equally enticing. Acuna generates raw power in his lower half while possessing strong hands and quick wrists. (Bill Ballew - Baseball America - 6/23/2017)

  • May 8, 2018: Acuna's third-inning solo shot was the latest of the three homers tallied within his first 50 career at-bats. At 20 years, 141 days old, Acuna is the youngest player to homer in a 1-0 game since 1935 (Phil Cavarretta). (Mark Bowman - MLB.com - May 2018)

  • August 13, 2018: Acuna became just the fourth player in MLB history to lead off both games of a doubleheader with a home run.

  • August 14, 2018: Having routinely displayed an easygoing, youthful innocence throughout these early months of his blossoming career, Ronald understood he was in the midst of something special when he actually felt nervous before his first plate appearance in a 10-6 win over the Marlins at SunTrust Park.  "[I was nervous] just because I wasn't sure I would be able to hit another home run like that," Acuna said through an interpreter.

    Acuna needed just one pitch to amaze himself and the countless others who have been bewildered by what he has proven capable of doing at just age 20. He turned on Trevor Richards' first-pitch fastball, watched it sail over the left-field wall and instantly became the youngest player in Major League history to homer in five consecutive games.

    "At first, I laughed a lot, and then I got nervous again," Acuna said, when asked for his reaction to the solo shot that also made him the first player since Brady Anderson in 1999 to hit a leadoff homer in three consecutive games. 

    Acuna's nerves didn't prevent him from adding to the splendor of his evening with a three-run, seventh-inning homer off Adam Conley. The no-doubt, opposite-field liner capped his third three-hit performance within a six-game span and provided him his first multi-homer contest.

    "I'm sitting there thinking, 'Wow, this is something else,'" Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "You're experiencing it and enjoying a young kid with a lot of talent having fun playing baseball." 

    "He's the best leadoff hitter I've ever seen," Ender Inciarte said. "He's the best player I've ever seen. He's just unbelievable. Hopefully, he's going to continue to help us in the long run because we just want to go to the playoffs."  (Bowman - mlb.com)

  • September 2, 2018: Ronald has put together a special rookie season, and with another leadoff home run in the Braves' 5-1 win over the Pirates, it became historic.  Acuna took Pirates starter Nick Kingham deep to left field on a 1-0 fastball up and in, which gave him seven leadoff home runs this season. That tied him with Marquis Grissom (1997) for the most by a Braves player in a single season.

    The blast also moved Acuna into a tie for the second-most leadoff homers by a rookie with Nomar Garciaparra (1997) and Hanley Ramirez (2006). Chris Young holds the record with nine leadoff homers in 2007.

    "You read that stuff on the board, and I'm sitting here watching it, and I don't realize it's that good," manager Brian Snitker said. "You want to make sure you're up there because you might miss something when he's at the plate." (Weinrib - mlb.com)

  • September 5, 2018: Acuna set a franchise record by drilling his eighth leadoff homer of the year.

  • September 9, 2018: Ronald Acuna Jr. added to his second-half power surge and became just the seventh player to tally 25 homers in a season before turning 21 years old.

  • October 8, 2018: The 20-year-old's second-inning grand slam gave the Braves an early five-run lead that propelled them to a 6-5 victory against the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS, staving off elimination at SunTrust Park.

    And in so doing, he became the youngest player to hit a grand slam in the postseason, ahead of Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle.

  • In 2018, Acuna became the youngest player (age 20) known to have homered in five straight games and seven of eight, finishing the season with 26.

  • 2018 season: Key stat: 46.6 percent hard-hit rate. Acuna, who turned 21 last week, knows how to make an entrance. In 111 games, he helped lift Atlanta to a surprising division title, and beat out Soto for NL Rookie of the Year, by batting .293/.366/.552 with 26 homers and 16 steals. Both Acuna's hard-hit rate and average sprint speed (29.6 ft/sec) ranked near the top of MLB. After the All-Star break, only Christian Yelich, Manny Machado and Matt Chapman made hard contact (95-plus mph exit velocity) more times than Acuna's 92. (Andrew Simon -MLB.com- December 27, 2018)

  • January 19, 2019: How the Braves construct their lineup will depend on who is acquired or selected to fill their outfield void. But Ronald admits his preference is to remain at the top of Atlanta's lineup.

    "Obviously, I do enjoy batting leadoff, but it's not my decision," Acuna said through an interpreter. "It's up to the coaches and manager to decide whatever is best for the team."

    Acuna's rise toward capturing the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2018 began on July 20, when he moved to the leadoff spot and proceeded to hit .322 with 19 homers and a 1.028 OPS over the 68 games that followed. The 20-year-old phenom's second-half success served as one of the primary reasons Atlanta won the NL East.

  • April 15, 2019: Acuña won the NL Player of the Week Award. Acuna had a .545 batting average, going 12-for-22 on the week as well for the Braves. He hit three homers and knocked in nine runs as the Braves went 4-2 over the course of the week.

  • May 11, 2019: The 21-year-old outfielder swatted a 464-foot, tie-breaking home run in the eighth inning to lift the Braves to a 2-1 win over the D-backs at Chase Field. It was the longest homer hit by an Atlanta player since Statcast began tracking in 2015, and with a 112.7 mph exit velocity, Acuna instantly knew it was gone.

  • August 13, 2019:  Ronald strengthened his resume in a 5-3 win over the Mets at SunTrust Park. Acuna homered for the seventh time in his past seven games and further backed Max Fried's strong start by denying a run with a 99.1-mph throw to the plate.  (His 34 homers are the second most hit by a Braves player 21 or younger, trailing only Eddie Mathews, who hit 47 in 1953.)

    “He can do it all on a baseball field,” Braves catcher Brian McCann said. “He makes it all look easy.”  (Bowman - mlb.com)

  • In 2019, Acuña won his first Silver Slugger Award. He became the youngest player to hit 40 or more homers and steal 30 or more bases. He posted an .883 OPS as one of the key sluggers who led Atlanta to a second straight NL East championship.

  • 2019 Season: Acuña is one of seven players to tally two 25-homer seasons at 21 or younger, and his 67 homers stand as the fourth-highest total produced by any player before his 22-year-old season. The only other players to reach that total at that age were Mel Ott (86 in 1,724 at-bats), Tony Conigliaro (84 in 1,483 at-bats), Eddie Mathews (72 in 1,107 at-bats) and Frank Robinson (67 in 1,183 at-bats).

  • Feb 12, 2020: Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies was not surprised when Ronald Acuña Jr. arrived at Spring Training and said he is aiming for what would be the first 50-50 season in Major League history.

    “He’s my good friend,” Albies said. “We always talk about how he’s going to be better every day. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be even better than last year.”

    Acuña fell three stolen bases shy of recording what would have been just the fifth 40-40 season in MLB history. Still, as he belted 41 homers and tallied 37 steals, he joined Mike Trout (2012) as the only players 21 or younger to record a 30-30 season.

    As Acuña spent most of this offseason in his native Venezuela, he looked forward to the chance to strengthen the elite status he has gained through his first two Major League campaigns. The 22-year-old outfielder to date has produced a .897 OPS. The only players to construct a higher number at 21 or younger are Ted Williams (1.041), Jimmie Foxx (1.015), Mel Ott (.986), Trout (.948), Frank Robinson (.920), Eddie Mathews (.907) and Alex Rodriguez (.900).

    “I don’t want to stay complacent,” Acuña said through an interpreter. “I’ve always strived for more. That’s the way I’ve always been. I don’t want to conform to what has gotten me to where I am so far. I just strive to get better and better as my career goes on.” (M Bowman - MLB.com - Feb 12, 2020)

  • May 2020: The Braves have played 810 games since Statcast began tracking home run distances in 2015, and Acuña has been in about 33 percent of them. But a quick perusal of Baseball Savant will show you that the young slugger owns 6 of Atlanta’s 10 longest home runs since then. And among Acuña’s team-high 41 homers last year, the average distance was 418 feet. The only Major Leaguer to hit at least 20 home runs and produce a higher number was Mike Trout at 419 feet.

    It’s also worth noting that Acuña was one of just eight Major Leaguers last year to produce a 15 percent barrel rate while putting a ball in play at least 300 times. The Braves’ 22-year-old outfielder possesses a swing that not only generates power, but also allows him to do damage to all fields. He ranked second among righthanders last year with five opposite-field home runs. Those five blasts averaged 426 feet, which was one foot shorter than the average distance of the 14 homers he pulled to left.  – Mark Bowman

  • Sept 4, 2020: Ronald once again announced his return in an authoritative manner and matched a Braves franchise record in the process. Acuña tallied his fifth career multi-homer game and tied a franchise record for leadoff home runs as the Braves claimed a 7-1 win over the Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader at Truist Park.

    “He kind of picked up where he left off, and that’s good for us,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

    Sitting back at the top of Atlanta’s lineup after missing this week’s three-game series in Boston with a tight right hamstring, Acuña opened the bottom of the first with his 17th career leadoff homer. This shot off Austin Voth matched the franchise record Felipe Alou set while serving as the Braves' leadoff hitter from 1964-69.

    Alou batted leadoff 633 times for the Braves. Acuña matched this mark in just his 209th game as a leadoff hitter.

    Told about this record, Snitker provided a self-deprecating response regarding his decision to move Acuña to the cleanup spot for the first six weeks of the 2019 season.

    “He’s done a great job up there,” Snitker said. “Some [dummy] kept him out of the leadoff role last year.” (M Bowman - MLB.com - Sept 4, 2020)

    LEAD-OFF HOMERS

  • Sept. 5, 2020: Acuña set a Braves franchise record when he belted his 18th career lead-off homer during a 10-4 loss to the Nationals at Truist Park.

  • April 6, 2021: With a lead-off homer, the leadoff legend of Ronald Acuña Jr. grew. He has the most lead-off home runs before the age of 24, with 20.  Hanley Ramirez had 15 and Barry Bonds hit 13.

  • Sept. 26, 2020: Per Statcast, Acuña's leadoff homer off Red Sox starter Chris Mazza traveled 495 feet, the longest Braves homer ever tracked by Statcast. And the longest of any player in 2020.

  • Nov 5, 2020: Acuña picked up his second straight Silver Slugger after posting a .406 on-base percentage and .581 slugging percentage—both the best of his young career. Along with his .987 OPS, the 22-year-old roped 14 homers and swiped 8 bases in just 46 games.

  • Dec 9, 2020: Acuña was a Second Team selection to the 2020 All-MLB Team.

    Though he missed two weeks with a left wrist ailment that developed in August and continued being problematic into October, Acuña still ranked second among all Major League outfielders with 46 runs scored. The young outfielder hit .250 with 14 homers and a .987 OPS.

  • April 9, 2021: Acuña hit a monstrous home run, made a tremendous catch, added a pair of doubles and notched his fifth career four-hit game to back an impressive start by Charlie Morton, who allowed just one run over six innings. The night belonged to Acuña, who led the Braves to their third straight win.

    “That just shows you the complete player he is and the skillset this kid has and what he brings,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Then he beats out a close play. He showed it all tonight. He didn’t have any throwing assists or anything. But he did everything else.” (M Bowman - MLB.com - April 9, 2021)

  • April 19, 2021:  Acuña were recognized for his success, as he named the NL Player of the Week.  Acuña has now won NL Player of the Week three times in his young career. The 23-year-old outfielder batted .385/.515/.846 across seven games, racking up seven walks, a double, a triple, three home runs, eight RBIs, 13 runs scored and a stolen base.

  • April 2021: Acuña was named the season's first Player of the Month.

    Acuña hit .341/.443/.705 with eight home runs, three stolen bases, 18 RBIs and 25 runs scored in 24 games over the first month of the season. He scored 20 runs in the Braves' first 15 games, the most in franchise history. And the most by anyone through 15 games since Alex Rodriguez had 20 runs scored for the Yankees in 2007, when he went on to win the AL Most Valuable Player Award.

    The 23-year-old is a Player of the Month for the first time in his career, and he's the second straight Braves player to take home the award. Fellow Atlanta star Freddie Freeman was the final NL Player of the Month Award winner of the 2020 season, winning in September. (D Adler - MLB.com - May 3, 2021)

  • June 11, 2021:  Acuña notched a pair of doubles, including one for his 400th career hit,

  • June 20, 2021: Ronald Jr. hit his 100th homer in the Braves' win in the second game of a doubleheader.  According to MLB Stats, he becomes the fifth player to total 100 homers and 70 stolen bases before turning 24 years old.

  • Nov 28, 2022: Ronald put on a show alongside a handful of fellow Major Leaguers in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League Home Run Derby at Estadio Universitario de Caracas.

    Acuña, who participated in the T-Mobile MLB Home Run Derby in 2019 and 2022, hit the winning homer with more than a minute remaining on the clock. As soon as the decisive shot cleared the wall, he took off running onto the field and was mobbed by spectators and competitors in a celebration that spread into the outfield.

    Acuña edged out Giants prospect Diego Rincones in the final round. The 10-player tournament also included big leaguers Willson Contreras, Eduardo Escobar, William Contreras, Eugenio Suárez, Jose Altuve, Gleyber Torres and Juan Yepez. Former Minor Leaguer and current Mexican League slugger Balbino Fuenmayor rounded out the field. (P Casella - MLB.com - Nov 28, 2022)

Fielding

  • Ronald has the speed to cover a lot of center field, rating a plus defender (60 to 65 grade).

  • Acuna has a 70 arm.

    "Don't run on Ronald!" can be heard before a team takes on the Braves. "Don't run on Acuna!" and that's because he has been clocked as high as 96.7 mph—from an outfielder, not a pitcher!

  • Ronald gets solid reads off the bat and takes good routes to balls in the gaps. He anticipates where the ball will be hit to go with his superb first-step quickness

    He has well above-average arm strength with accuracy and carry on his throws. But, Acuna must improve his decision-making on his throws. (Spring 2018)

  • Acuna plays all three outfield positions.

  • May 2020: Johan Camargo's arm has drawn attention since his days as a Spring Training non-roster invitee taking infield alongside Andrelton Simmons. But while Camargo has the best arm among Atlanta's infielders, Acuña boasts not only the team's best arm, but also arguably the best among all MLB outfielders.

    He recorded four assists over 199 2/3 innings in right field last year    . That's one every 49.9 innings. The Phillies' Bryce Harper recorded an assist once every 101.4 innings while leading all MLB right fielders with 13 assists in 2019.  –Mark Bowman
Running

  • Acuna is very fast, earning 70 grades on his speed tool.

    With his top-of-the-scale speed, Acuna is an excellent baserunner and prolific base-stealer, albeit an inefficient one. Acuna, needs to become a more efficient base-stealer, and is working on stealing so he can have a major impact on the bases. (Spring 2018)

  • He showed plus speed in center field and on the bases, and should be a stolen-base threat at higher levels. He has become an intelligent base runner and stealer. He has excellent first-step quickness and outstanding instincts in all phases of the game. (Spring 2017)
  • In 2019 with the Braves, Acuna stole 37 bases.
  • In 2021 and 2022 combined, he was successful in 46 of 63 attempts. That's a 73 percent success rate.
Career Injury Report

  • May 12-August 22, 2016: Acuna was on the DL with a broken thumb. He ended up having surgery for it and was healthy for only 40 games that year.

  • May 28-June 28, 2018: Acuna was on the DL with left knee contusion and mild ACL sprain.

  • September 26, 2019: Acuña was diagnosed with a minor left groin strain.

    “The doctors looked at him and felt it was best to just shut him down until the playoffs,” Snitker said. “It’s biting him a little bit. Just to be on the safe side, he’s not going to play any more games in the regular season.”

  • Aug 11-25, 2020: Acuña went on IL with left wrist inflammation.

  • Aug 30, 2020: Less than a week after activating Ronald Acuña Jr. from the injured list, the Braves will once again have to take a cautious approach with him. Acuña was removed after he felt right hamstring tightness during the 10-run second inning that carried the Braves to a 12-10 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

    Initially, it looked like Acuña may have felt the discomfort while scoring from second base on Freddie Freeman’s single during the second. But he actually began feeling the tightness while playing defense in the first inning.

    “If you push that, something bad is going to happen,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We’ll just see how he progresses.”

  • Sept 11, 2020: Snitker was obviously happy to reveal Ronald Acuña Jr. might be available to play. The 22-year-old outfielder had to be helped off the field after bruising his left ankle in the fourth inning of this four-hour, 48-minute battle, which stands as MLB’s longest game of the season.

    “They said he wasn’t that bad right now,” Snitker said.

    This encouraging update was not expected when Acuña had to drape his arms around Snitker and assistant trainer Mike Frostad just to get off the field after fouling an Erick Fedde pitch off his left ankle. But by the time the Braves outfielder got to the clubhouse, he was able to walk without assistance to get X-rays, which showed no fracture.

  • April 16, 2021: The Braves announced that an MRI showed Acuña’s abdominal strain is mild. He is listed as day-to-day.

    Acuña exited the 13-4 win over the Cubs after sliding headfirst across the plate on Travis d’Arnaud's sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. During that same trip around the bases, Acuña had pointed to his stomach a couple times after diving back to first base on pickoff attempts. 

    After sliding into home, Acuña remained on the ground momentarily and then grabbed his abdominal region as he walked back to the dugout.  The MRI on showed just a mild strain.

  • July 11-Nov 22, 2021: Acuna went on the IL with a right ACL tear. 

    July 20, 2021: Acuña Jr. underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

    Nov 22, 2021: Acuña took some swings in the batting cage. He missed half of the 2021 season after sustaining a torn ACL in July. He's expected to return in 2022.

    March 13, 2022: Expected return is April. Acuña has seemingly made a full recovery from the torn right ACL he suffered on July 10. The young superstar took batting practice on a regular basis over the past few months.  

    “The reports are really, really good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “But we won’t have a timeline until we get him here, and they evaluate him. 

    March 25, 2022: Acuña is targeted to return during the first week of May. To give him time to ease back into full-time duties, he will initially be used as both an outfielder and designated hitter.

    April 4-28, 2022: Acuña will spend the season’s first three weeks continuing to recover and rehab from the torn right ACL tear he suffered on July 10. The outfielder was expected to be activated during the first week of May. 

  • May 11, 2022: Acuña missed the game against the Red Sox after tweaking his right groin the previous night. He started favoring his leg after recording a fourth-inning single on May 10.

    “He’s been busy on the bases,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s just a maintenance thing more than anything, trying to make sure it doesn’t become something.” 

    May 13, 2022: Acuña missed a second straight game when the Braves allowed him to rest his right groin during the series opener against the Padres in Atlanta. The outfielder took batting practice in the indoor batting cage and said he hopes to play soon.

  • May 25, 2022:  Ronald was scratched from lineup with right quad tightness. Acuña woke up feeling right quad discomfort, and was still sore when he ran the bases before the game against the Phillies. The Braves scratched him instead of risking him worsening the ailment in wet conditions. He was day-to-day.

  • Aug 28, 2022: Acuña felt some sharp pains in his surgically repaired right knee this past week and he has dealt with occasional soreness since returning from a torn right ACL near the end of April. Acuña said his knee has bothered him more running than hitting. The Braves have told the outfielder the lingering pain is expected while coming back from this injury. 

  • Sept 23, 2022: Acuña was out of the lineup for a second straight day as he continues to deal with lower back tightness.  Acuña’s back began bothering him while he prepared for the series opener against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Ronald said that rotating his hips creates the most significant discomfort.