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

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease works against an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 13, 2024, in San Diego. (Gregory Bull/AP)

Credit: AP

These players would cost Braves draft pick to sign

MLB free agency is underway. The Braves have been clear they want to address shortstop and the rotation.

Ronald Acuña Jr. wins NL Comeback Player of the Year

How Drake Baldwin’s Rookie of the Year win affects the Braves’ future

The Braves gained a first-round pick and extra draft cash thanks to Drake Baldwin’s standout rookie season.

The Latest

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease works against an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 13, 2024, in San Diego. (Gregory Bull/AP)

Credit: AP

These players would cost Braves draft pick to sign

Ronald Acuña Jr. wins NL Comeback Player of the Year

How Drake Baldwin’s Rookie of the Year win affects the Braves’ future

Featured

Rose Scott signals as Closer Look goes on air in the WABE studio. An Atlanta resident left WABE a $3 million donation, a boost after WABE lost $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (Ben Gray / AJC file)

Credit: Ben Gray

Donor leaves WABE $3 million, largest individual gift in station’s history

An Atlanta resident has bequeathed WABE a $3 million donation, the largest one-time individual donation in the nonprofit media operation’s 76-year history.

Usher sues business partners over failed Buckhead restaurant plan

Atlanta singer Usher wants his money back after loaning $1.7 million to music producer Bryan-Michael Cox and others to buy a Buckhead restaurant property for $6.3 million.

Braves’ original ‘Freeze’ is retired. But you probably still can’t catch him.

As the Atlanta Braves prepare to find their next sprinting mascot, Nigel Talton is enjoying his new career coaching high school athletes at McEachern High.