The Atlanta Braves have gotten off to a solid 12-10 start to kick off the 2018 season and they will be looking to continue this start after bringing up top prospect Ronald Acuna.
Who is Ronald Acuna?
Acuna is one of the most highly touted prospects in baseball since Mike Trout and Bryce Harper when they topped the list in 2011. Coming into the season, Acuna was the number one or two prospect depending on where you looked, usually number two to two-way player Shohei Ohtani, which is saying a lot when looking at how dominant the Japanese superstar has been.
Acuna has a combination of tools that every team wants on their roster. The 20-year-old Venezuelan is a speedster and power threat who also hits for a high average, throwing above-average fielding on top of that -- which makes him an absolute menace for opposing teams.
In 253 games in the minors since 2015, Acuna hit for a .305 average, 30 home runs, and 121 RBI, with 78 stolen bases. Acuna also showed decent place discipline, with a .374 on-base percentage. Of course, Acuna will likely not replicate these stats in the majors since there is a severe increase in competition, but if Atlanta can even get a glimpse of the player Acuna was in the minor leagues, then they'll be happy.
Acuna may not break out right away, but with experience and maturity, he has the potential to blossom into a superstar at the professional level.
New look for Atlanta
With Acuna now on the roster, the Braves will now have Preston Tucker coming off the bench. Tucker exceeded all expectations in being a place holder for the prospect. Tucker hit for .254 with three home runs and 18 RBI in the first 22 games of the young season. He leads the team in RBI and is tied for fifth in the NL in that category.
Acuna will now join the young corps in Atlanta. Though the team isn't scary now, their ceiling for the next few years is through the roof. Acuna is making his MLB debut on Wednesday, April 25 against the Cincinnati Reds -- a good team to go up against in your first shot in the big leagues.
Unfortunately, Acuna was slumping in the minors this season before coming up, so hopefully we get to see the star in prime form.
This season in the minors through 17 games, he was only batting .232 with one home run, two RBI, and four stolen bases. His on-base percentage was still a bright spot, as he had a .321 OBP despite the struggles at the plate.
Today will be our first glimpse into the future of this superstar's career, so let's watch as he begins to take over the league.