In a move not unexpected despite his superior spring training, the Braves reassigned top prospect Ronald Acuna to minor league camp on Monday. The outfielder will start the season at Triple-A Gwinnett in what could be a short stint before a highly anticipated call-up to the majors.
The Braves assigned Acuna along with catcher Rob Brantley, infielder Christian Colon, outfielder Dustin Peterson and pitchers Josh Graham and Miguel Socolovich.
Acuna entered Monday ranked second in the majors in average (.432), on-base percentage (.519), slugging percentage (.727) and OPS (1.392) during spring training. He led the Grapefruit League in each of those categories.
The 20-year-old phenom was tied for second in the majors in hits (19) and tied for first in the Grapefruit League in homers with four, one behind the major league leaders before Monday.
Acuna, the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball, has been arguably the best all-around player in the Grapefruit League this spring.