Fansided

Each MLB team’s biggest X-factor

By Joshua Sadlock

TEMPE, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Shohei Ohtani
TEMPE, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Shohei Ohtani /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 30
Next
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 02: Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna (82) at bat during the MLB Spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees on March 02, 2018 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 02: Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna (82) at bat during the MLB Spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees on March 02, 2018 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuna

The Atlanta Braves are still a year or two away from being ready to challenge for a playoff spot in the National League, but all signs are pointing towards a bright future. Even with the league sanctions from the disastrous end of John Coppolella’s tenure, the Braves have a loaded farm system.

Leading the charge for the next great wave of Braves stars will be 20-year-old outfield sensation Ronald Acuna. He is the most exciting prospect in baseball outside of Shohei Ohtani, and could end up spending most of the season with the Braves at the MLB level. The only reason for him to begin the year in the minor leagues is service-time manipulation.

The 2017 season was Acuna’s first full year in the minors after being brought along slowly in the short-season leagues for two years, and he did not disappoint. He reached Triple-A by the end of the year, and put together a .325/.374/.522 line with 31 doubles, eight triples, 21 home runs and 44 stolen bases across three levels. Acuna actually improved at each level, and there is not much left for him to prove in the minor leagues.

Acuna is the most exciting prospect for the Braves since Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones were rising through the system. He has been wildly impressive so far in Spring Training against the big leaguers. If Acuna does not head north as the starting left fielder for the Braves, he won’t last much longer than a month before exploding onto the scene for good.

Home/MLB