We’ve seen 10 different Braves in past Home Run Derbies. A few were more impactful than others, but all were exciting for Braves fans everywhere. Reports today suggest we may see number 11 soon – and it may be the most exciting one yet.
The TwitterVerse is exploding with the apparent news that Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to participate in this year’s Home Run Derby. Venezuelan reporter Daniel Alvarez Montes broke the news earlier today.
Source: Ronald Acuña Jr will participate in the HR Derby.
— Daniel Álvarez-Montes (@DanielAlvarezEE) June 30, 2019
Montes is a Major League Baseball reporter based out of Miami. Montes also was apparently told some information that is currently sending the interesting “Braves Twitter” into a frenzy. Not much else has come out following this tweet, short of notice by Dave O’Brien and a beloved MLB fan account, Cespedes Family BBQ.
confirmed for the HR derby:
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) June 30, 2019
1. Pete Alonso
2. Carlos Santana
3. Christian Yelich
4. Josh Bell
5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
6. Ronald Acuña Jr.
7. ???
8. ??? https://t.co/0eb4UbWjyu
Venezuelan reporter has been told that Acuña will be in All-Star Game Home Run Derby. Field not announced yet but others already confirmed include Christian Yelich, Josh Bell, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Carlos Santana and Pete Alonso. https://t.co/KpSlC7ZCbt
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 30, 2019
To this point, nothing has been announced or set in stone by any official outlet – whether MLB or the Atlanta Braves (UPDATE: Grant McAuley is now reporting this as fact).
But with no denials of the initial report, it’s looking like Cleveland may see the raw power of El Abusador in a few short days. Acuna’s inclusion would make him the 11th Braves player to participate in the Home Run Derby.
UPDATE 2:
"Ronald Acuña: "I'm going to participate in the HR Derby... and I'm going to win the HR Derby." #Braves" https://t.co/XjnbXqrHjb
— AlanCarpenter⚾ (@carpengui) June 30, 2019
It should also be noted that Acuna has some experience in such events. He lost the 2017 Southern League Home Run Derby in the final round via a tiebreaker. He’s only scarier and stronger now, showing fans everywhere that he’s more than a force to be reckoned with. Could this be the year the Braves take home their first Derby win?
The other 10 Braves at least put a dent into a few baseballs in their time. A few performances come to mind as we look pack onto past Derbies. With July 8th’s approach now on the horizon, let’s take a look at the most memorable Braves Derby performances.