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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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."
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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.”
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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.
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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
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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.
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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)
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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.
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"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)
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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">
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.)
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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">
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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
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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)
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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">
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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">
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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
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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.