Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Acuna arrives early for spring training

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 Arizona
By
Feb 16, 2019

Ronald Acuna arrived early to spring training Saturday, launching his highly anticipated sophomore campaign.

The 21-year-old Braves outfielder hit over .400 last spring. He didn’t join the big league club until late-April, in part because the club stood to retain an additional season of contractual control.

Braves position players aren’t required to report until Wednesday, a day before the first full-squad workout and three days before the Grapefruit League opener against the Mets.

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

The Atlanta Braves pitcher declined the club option on reliever Pierce Johnson along with reliever Tyler Kinley. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Braves decline club options on Pierce Johnson, Tyler Kinley

The Braves declined the club options on relievers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley, meaning that three of their top relievers will be free agents.

OPINION

As business booms for cost-cutting Braves, McGuirk aims for ‘top-5’ payroll

Off the field, the Atlanta Braves were a hit, with third-quarter revenue up 7% from 2024. That's little solace for fans who see ticket prices rising while the payroll isn't.

Braves announce 2026 spring training schedule

Lineup includes exhibition game against Team Colombia on March 4 while it trains for 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The Latest

New Braves manager Walt Weiss, all smiles before his introductory news conference.

Credit: Daniel Varnado for the AJC

Braves Report: Ready to break the bank?

Braves decline club options on Pierce Johnson, Tyler Kinley

OPINION

As business booms for cost-cutting Braves, McGuirk aims for ‘top-5’ payroll

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Prolonged shutdown could force 20% flight cuts, U.S. officials warn

The Federal Aviation Administration started reducing flights Friday at 40 major airports, which includes Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

With SNAP benefits in limbo, Atlanta residents step up to help

With SNAP benefits in limbo after a late-Friday Supreme Court decision, many metro Atlanta residents are putting their own money toward supporting those affected.

Study: Rents for low-wage Atlantans rose 9 times faster than for high earners

Rents for suburban workforce housing in the metro Atlanta region increased by almost 20%, while rents for luxury units increased by 2%, a study said.