Baseball’s Number 1 Prospect

His name is Ronald Acuña Jr. He is a 20-year-old outfielder, in the Atlanta Braves system. He flew through 3 different minor league levels last year. In AAA Gwinnett, he hit .344 with 9 home runs and 33 RBIS in just 54 games. He then followed up his stellar regular season with a MVP campaign in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .325 with 7 home runs and 16 RBIs.

The young sensation is the true definition of a 5-tool player. He can hit for power, hit for contact, has a cannon for an arm, catches everything in the outfield, and he can run like a gazelle. The question is, will he make the Braves’ Opening Day Roster? Baseball is anxiously waiting his big-league arrival. Not to mention, the Atlanta fans eager for success. There is just one problem, if the Braves keep him down in AAA until mid-to-end April then the Braves will have an extra year of control on Acuña. This situation is similar to Kris Bryant and the Cubs a few years back. Bryant went on a tear in spring training and eventually started the season in AAA, so the Cubs could secure that extra year of contract control. In turn, the same will likely happen to Acuña and he will spend the first few weeks of the season in AAA, although he is certainly giving the Braves every reason not to send him down. He is currently leading the entire Grapefruit League with a .419 batting average and he also leads the Braves in stolen bases, on base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, and hits (mlb.com). He has been on an absolute tear and by the looks of it, he is only going to get better. The Braves certainly have a decision to make and when he does, baseball world, it is time to look out for Ronald Acuña Jr.

Written by Justin Raley