Top prospect, Acuna, set to be on the field for the Braves!
The Atlanta Braves didn’t send Ronald Acuna to the first game of the 2018 Spring Training against the New York Mets, but we will soon see him on the field. Braves manager Brian Snitker told media on Friday that “he’s going to play center field tomorrow.”
Oh okay…initially after not traveling to St. Port Lucie, I didn’t think we’d see Acuna until Monday when the Braves were back at the Wide World of Sports complex. But, a second wave of Braves players are on a bus heading to West Palm Beach.
These players heading to West Palm Beach will play against the Astros and Nationals on Saturday and Sunday at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
“I’m going to get him in at both corners (this spring) and he’s going to play center field tomorrow,” Snitker told media before Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Mets.
So it begins!
Acuna played 13 games in the Grapefruit League in 2017, but that was before he exploded in the minor leagues. After being named the number one prospect in the game by many MLB outlets, this Spring Training for Acuna is a lot more anticipated.
More from Braves News
- Atlanta Braves 2012 Prospect Review: Joey Terdoslavich
- Braves News: Braves sign Fuentes, Andruw’s HOF candidacy, more
- The Weakest Braves Homers Since 2015
- Atlanta Braves Sign Joshua Fuentes to Minor League Deal
- Braves News: New Year’s Eve comes with several questions about the 2023 Braves
The 20-year-old started 2017 with the A+ Florida Fire Frogs batting .287/.336/.478 with three home runs, five triples, three doubles and 14 stolen bases in 28 games.
He jumped to Double-A Mississippi and hit .326/.374/.520 with nine homers, one triple, 14 doubles and 19 stolen bases in 57 games.
After dominating that league, he jumped to Triple-A Gwinnett (yes, in the same year if you weren’t following). He slashed .344/.393/.548 with nine homers, two triples, 14 doubles, and 11 stolen bases in 54 games.
Acuna was named Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2017 and seems ready to make his MLB debut. Though, it may not be right away in 2018.
There’s a chance Acuna makes the Opening Day Atlanta Braves roster and then there’s a chance he doesn’t make it. A few pros and cons to both scenarios.
If Acuna doesn’t start the 2018 with the Braves, he’ll play in the minor leagues for a few weeks. This will assure an extra — seventh — season of contractual service control by the Braves before he’s eligible to hit the free agency market.
The Venezuelan outfielder can impress everyone — again — in Spring Training and force the Braves to have him on the Opening Day roster. This could definitely happen and it all starts tomorrow!
Next: Braves ST schedule: where to watch & listen
The Braves have had many top prospects that people get excited about, but this kid is different! Saturday’s game starts at 1:05pm ET against the defending World Series champs and can be watched on MLB.tv/ATSW and heard on WIFN 1340AM/103.7FM.