For a moment, it looked like Ronald Acuna had his Jason Heyward moment.

Acuna swung at the first pitch he saw, and it carried to deep center but not quite enough to leave the park. It was an 80.8 mph slider from Reds starter Brandon Finnegan.

The 20-year-old Acuna joined the Braves this afternoon. He’s Baseball America’s No. 1 overall prospect.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. jogs onto the field to warm up before their game against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

FILE - President Donald Trump arrives and walks by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to address a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Credit: AP