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Which Atlanta Braves young players should you keep an eye out for in 2018?

ByDalton Skaggs|
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves knocks in a run with a first inning single against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves knocks in a run with a first inning single against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
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MIAMI, FL – JULY 09: Ronald Acuna #24 of the Atlanta Braves and the World Team swings at a pitch against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JULY 09: Ronald Acuna #24 of the Atlanta Braves and the World Team swings at a pitch against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

With the New Year approaching, we need to get ready to see some new faces on the field for the Atlanta Braves in 2018.

At the beginning of the 2017 season, the Atlanta Braves were lacking depth and big league skill in left-handed starting pitching. The only southpaws on the opening day roster in 2017 was starter Jamie Garcia, and relievers Ian Krol and Eric O’Flaherty.

Now, the Braves have made significant leaps in not just the southpaw department, but overall skill department with position players.

Ronald Acuna

The Arizona Fall League MVP and minor league Player of the Year is expected to come into the big leagues and make an immediate impact for the Atlanta Braves. The timing of his callup is going to be questionable for the Braves: if Acuna stays in the minor leagues for a while after the 2018 season starts, the Braves will gain an extra year of team control over him.

The departure of Matt Kemp was very telling that the Braves have plans to put Acuna on the big league roster at some (early) point in time, and it’s going to be fun watching Acuna do his thing starting with spring training.

I don’t expect Acuna to come into his rookie year and put up numbers like Albert Pujols and Mike Trout did in their respective rookie seasons, but let’s just say it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he did.

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