Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Ronald Acuna hits long homer off Yankees ace

1. His full name is Ronald Jose Acuna, and he was born Dec. 18, 1997 in La Guaira, Venezuela. 2. The Braves signed Acuna in July 2014, and the scout who signed him, Rolando Petit, tried to sign Acuna’s dad in the 1990s. 3. Acuna’s dad, Ron Acuna, played in the Mets, Blue Jays and Brewers organizations from 1999-2006, reaching as high as Double-A. 4. Ronald Acuna played in Australia in November and December 2016. In 20 games, he had an OPS of 1.001. 5. In 2017, Acuna became the youngest MVP in the Ariz
By
March 2, 2018

Ronald Acuna is in the home-run column.

Acuna sent a 1-1 Masahiro Tanaka pitch to deep center to put the Braves up 3-0 on the Yankees in the first inning of Friday’s game.

After a 1-for-9 start to the season, the Braves’ top prospect has caught fire in the past few days. He’s coming off back-to-back two-hit days.

Acuna is competing for a spot in the opening-day outfield. He started in left field Friday.

About the Author

Gabriel Burns is a general assignment reporter and features writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After four years on the Braves beat, he's expanded his horizons and covers all sports. You'll find him writing about MLB, NFL, NBA, college football and other Atlanta-centric happenings.

Follow Gabriel Burns on facebookFollow Gabriel Burns on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim throws to first for the groundout hit by Chicago Cubs third base Matt Shaw during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Truist Park, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Ha-Seong Kim becomes key player in crucial Braves offseason

After injuries derailed his season with the Rays, Kim is thriving with the Braves—just as Atlanta eyes shortstop options for 2026.

2h ago

Braves complete four-game sweep in dominating fashion

Thanks to a 3-RBI game from Marcell Ozuna, and yet another home run from Matt Olson, the Braves defeated the Nationals 9-4 on Wednesday, finishing off a four-game sweep.

Jurickson Profar atoning for past, becomes key in Braves’ outlook

Profar’s debut season with the Braves has been the proverbial mixed bag, from a suspension to sensational closing weeks.

The Latest

Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim throws to first for the groundout hit by Chicago Cubs third base Matt Shaw during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Truist Park, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Ha-Seong Kim becomes key player in crucial Braves offseason

2h ago

Braves complete four-game sweep in dominating fashion

Jurickson Profar atoning for past, becomes key in Braves’ outlook

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Police abandoned area where 8-year-old was shot, detective testifies

The testimony came as trial began for Julian Conley, the man accused of fatally shooting the child near the burned-down Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed weeks earlier.

Emory giving free tuition to students from families making under $200,000

Starting next academic year, Emory University will be tuition-free for undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000, a move that could help hundreds of students.

Weekend Predictions: Another winning weekend for Falcons, Georgia Tech?

Weekend Predictions is off to a hot start. But will wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Tech and Georgia State keep this streak alive?