For the first time in his brief career, Ronald Acuna is in an extended slump.
Braves manager Brian Snitker likened the struggles of the young outfielder to “swinging a sword” after Acuna went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Monday’s 6-3 win over the Blue Jays.
In the past 16 games, dating to the start of a series against the Dodgers on Aug. 16, Acuna is hitting .150 (9-for-60) with 23 strikeouts. He had at least one strikeout in 13 of the 16 games, including three three-strikeout performances.
“It’s a funk,” Snitker said. “It’s one of those things. Every baseball player goes through it. You feel like you are swinging a sword. The only way to get back in it is to get back in it. Get back in the batter’s box and say, ‘The heck with it.’ Not care. See the ball, hit the ball. Make things simple.
“I’ve told him, too, you are going to go through this and the next time it happens you are going to be able to lessen the time it takes to get right because you will have experienced it. This is the first time you have experienced it. It’s something that guys go through it and he’ll get through it, too.”
Acuna his hitless in the past four games, going a combined 0-for-12.
Despite the recent struggles, Acuna is hitting .282 this season with 92 RBIs, 36 home runs and 33 stolen bases.
