Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna might need a bigger mantel
When you have a season like this, people want to talk about you. And give you stuff. But it’s well earned.
The minor league season – the regular season – ended on Monday, and yet the awards and honors are already piling up for Ronald Acuna, whose next stop in the organization will probably be with the Atlanta Braves in April.
Here’s a couple of the nods he’s seen already:
MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Braves prospect Ronald Acuna improves at every level
RAY GILER / USA TODAY SPORTS
Acuna, through the interpreter, explained his style at the plate: “After he signed, he adopted that approach, very quiet, not like other guys who are moving a lot. That’s what he chose to be as a hitter. He always believes his hands are faster than the ball; that’s why he stays still and quiet. He always believed he can get to the pitch.”
Staff voting from USA Today? Acuna – 5 votes, Zack Littell (Twins RHP) – 2 votes. Nobody else had more than one.
Some former winners of this award:
- 1989 Sandy Alomar Jr
- 1990 Frank Thomas
- 1993 Manny Ramirez
- 1994 Derek Jeter
- 1995/96 Andruw Jones (yes – twice)
- 1999 Rick Ankiel
- 2001 Josh Beckett
- 2003 Joe Mauer
- 2006 Alex Gordon
- 2009 Jason Heyward
- 2011 Mike Trout
- 2014 Kris Bryant
- 2015 Yoan Moncada
2017 Minor League Player Of The Year: Ronald Acuna
KYLE GLASER / BASEBALLAMERICA.COM
It took Damon Berryhill just two at-bats to realize Ronald Acuna was special. It was July 13. Berryhill, the manager of the Braves’ Triple-A Gwinnett affiliate, had just received the touted Acuna after his promotion from Double-A Mississippi. … “His first game, we’re facing Charlotte and he swung at (consecutive) sliders to strike out his first at-bat,” Berryhill said. “He was probably excited; it was the one time I did see him chase out of the zone. “But his next at-bat, he walked up and first slider (in the zone) he saw, he hit it over the right-field wall for a home run. Right then, I knew, this is what they’ve been telling me.”
More is there to read there for subscribers.
A concern? Before he reports to Arizona for play in the Arizona Fall League, Acuna is going home for a while (this according to the USA Today article).
Home is the world’s current hotbed of political turmoil – Venezuela. While his family lives in the countryside and not in a highly-populated area, just his name alone might be enough to draw unwanted attention in an area where there are daily struggles for many.
Alternate (wrong) voices
It’s not a unanimous vote among the various publications and outlets: ESPN’s Keith Law gives the nod to 18 year old Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
That’s cute.
Sure, he’s a year younger than Acuna… but for the year, Acuna as least matched Guererro’s High-A numbers… while Acuna was at AAA:
- Guerrero: .333/.450/.494/.944 (Florida State League only)
- Guerrero: .323/.425/.485/.910 (entire season; R/A/A+ levels)
- Acuna: .344/.393/.548/.940 (AAA only)
Funny, Vlad didn’t even get a vote from the USA Today staff.
Of course, Keith Law started a bit of a hang-wringing exercise yesterday among Braves’ fans when he suggested that the Braves see what they could get for Ender Inciarte – to make room for Acuna:
Garrett: In your prospect write up yesterday you mentioned Acuna as Atlanta’s CF of the (near) future, so I just wanted to see if you would move Inciarte to RF or move Acuna to RF instead? Do you think Acuna has a defensive upside greater than Inciarte? Keith Law: I’d trade Inciarte. He becomes surplus when Acuna arrives.
Uh… no… he doesn’t, Keith. The Braves – once clearing at least one of the corner outfield spots – would then have the best defensive outfield on the planet (well… for 2 of the 3 positions, anyway) and a pair of hitters that oughta create runs faster than… well, it would be really quick.
Besides: the Braves just inked the Ender Man to a 5-year deal. He’s going nowhere.
Next: Gohara didn't go long... but that's okay
But you feel free to make Vlad the Second your MLPOY next season… this one belongs to Acuna.