High ranking meaningful to prospect Acuna
ATLANTA -- Ronald Acuna will come to Spring Training with the hope of earning a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. But the young outfielder seems to fully understand why the Braves might be wise to delay his much anticipated arrival to the big leagues by at least a couple
ATLANTA -- Ronald Acuna will come to Spring Training with the hope of earning a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. But the young outfielder seems to fully understand why the Braves might be wise to delay his much anticipated arrival to the big leagues by at least a couple weeks.
"I've talked to some people, and I think the debate is whether they should keep me [with Triple-A Gwinnett] for a couple weeks or a month or however that works, contractually, to benefit the team," Acuna said through an interpreter. "I've tried not to focus on any of that. My goal is just to compete for the roster spot and hopefully make the team."
Ranked No. 2 on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list, which was released Saturday night, Acuna spent this weekend interacting with fans and teammates as Chop Fest unfolded at SunTrust Park. The 20-year-old is a little more than two weeks away from participating in big league Spring Training for the first time. If Acuna were placed on Atlanta's Opening Day roster this year and never returned to the Minor League level, he would be eligible for free agency at the conclusion of the 2023 season. If the Braves delayed his arrival by a couple weeks or a month, they could control him through the end of '24.
When the Braves placed
The Astros delayed
"Hopefully, he can be that guy and he's the next
Acuna began last season with Class A Advanced Florida, then fast-tracked his way to Gwinnett for the season's final two months. He was recognized as MLB Pipeline's Hitter of the Year. His next challenge will be to live up to the lofty expectations that surround those who come to the Majors considered one of the game's top prospects.
MLB Pipeline tabbed Angels pitcher and outfielder Shohei Ohtani as its No. 1 prospect. Acuna had been named the game's top outfield prospect earlier in the week.
"To be ranked first or second, they both mean a lot to me," Acuna said. "I always thought I'd be a good prospect and be ranked highly, but I never thought it would be that high."
Mark Bowman has covered the Braves for MLB.com since 2001.