Atlanta Braves

Braves Triple-A manager compares Ronald Acuna to Alex Rodriguez

Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. gives outfielder Cristian Pache (right) and Brett Cumberland (left) high fives at home plate after Pache hit a 2-run homer off pitcher Sean Newcomb.  Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. gives outfielder Cristian Pache (right) and Brett Cumberland (left) high fives at home plate after Pache hit a 2-run homer off pitcher Sean Newcomb. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
April 5, 2018

Add another name to the ever-growing list of Ronald Acuna comparisons. The Braves’ - and baseball’s - consensus top prospect has been compared to Roberto Clemente and Andruw Jones, among others, without playing a major-league game.

Speaking with the media Wednesday, Gwinnett Stripers manager Damon Berryhill was asked if Acuna reminded him of any player he saw during his own playing career. Berryhill played from 1987-1997.

“The only one I can really think about is kind of an Alex Rodriguez,” Berryhill said. “That same age, I saw Alex when he came up with Seattle at 19 and the composure he had, the swing, the maturity at that young age. That’s kind of what reminds me of Ronald.”

High praise for Acuna, who could join the Braves as early as April 14, when the team would be ensured an additional year of contractual control if it waited to promote him.

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.

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