The Atlanta Braves are calling up their top prospect Ronald Acuna, Jr. After waiting for a month for his arrival, will Braves fans be able to keep their expectations realistic?
The Atlanta Braves sent star outfield prospect Ronald Acuna, Jr. to AAA Gwinnett to close spring training, and the disdain among the Atlanta Braves fan base was palpable. Braves fans had been waiting to see their hero, had read all about how he was dominating the competition in spring training after having one of the most dominant minor league seasons in recent memory. Yet, he was not going to be on the big league club to open the season.
Ronald Acuna struggled initially in AAA, but he really did well in the last week to earn his promotion to the Atlanta Braves. While Braves fans have pinned the hopes of the franchise on Acuna already before he’s not even faced a major league pitch, perhaps there should be some realistic look at what to expect from Acuna.
Acuna’s excitement
There are few players in all of minor league baseball with the ability to generate excitement to the same level of Ronald Acuna, Jr. The Atlanta Braves got a taste of it during spring training the last two seasons as this is not Acuna’s first season being the talk of Braves camp. He was the storyline plenty often in 2017 as a number of the Atlanta Braves spent time with their respective countries for the World Baseball Classic.
Acuna has the ability to provide excitement to a game through his blazing speed on the basepaths or his impressive raw power at the plate. He is still working to harness that power consistently in his swing, but the pitch recognition has returned that allowed him to be the most dominant player in the Arizona Fall League and in spring training.
As can be seen in the two videos in this article, Acuna can flash that speed and power and did so in just the last two days before being called up. That has led to some fairly lofty expectations for what he will do the rest of this season from Atlanta Braves fans.
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The reality for Ronald Acuna
Let’s take some look at the history of the game. In all the history of the game, 66 rookies have hit 10 home runs and stolen 20 bases in their rookie season. Only 40 rookies have ever hit 20 home runs and stolen 10 bases during their rookie season. If we change to 15 apiece of home runs and stolen bases, we find 53 rookies in the history of the game who have accomplished the feat.
Many have visions of a Mike Trout-esque season from 2012 (.326 average, 30 home runs, 49 stolen bases). Others see more of a season akin to what Nomar Garciaparra did in 1997 (.306, 30 HR, 22 SB). Instead, perhaps some reality should be set in.
With all of his talent, Ronald Acuna, Jr. will still be learning his way in the major leagues, have his second time through the league, and face the grueling schedule of what remains of a 162-game season the rest of this year. Putting some level of numbers expectation temperance is certainly fitting in light of all of that.
In looking at recent history, I think I have found a season that can be a more tempered approach to expectations, yet still allow for Acuna’s incredible ability to flash for the Atlanta Braves this season. In 2009, Andrew McCutchen made his debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 108 games, he hit .296/.365/.471 with 26 doubles, 9 triples, 12 home runs, and 22 stolen bases. I think Braves fans and Ronald Acuna himself would be very pleased with that result for his 2018!
Next: Acuna's adjustments merit call up
So, the wait should not be long, Atlanta Braves fans. Ronald Acuna should be in Atlanta sooner rather than later!