Page 67 - 2021 ATL Media Guide

RONALD ACUÑA JR.
• Following his rookie season in 2018, was named • Following the season, became the
to the MLB team that played in the 2018 Japan youngest player to be named the Arizona FRONT OFFICE
All-Star Series in November…Played in five games Fall League MVP…Appeared in 23 games
and went 5-for-24 (.208) with a home run. with the Peoria Javelinas and batted
• Has been on the injured list twice in his major- .325/.414/.639 (27-for-83) with a league-
league career…In addition to missing time in best seven home runs, 12 extra-base hits,
2020, also was sidelined for a month in 2018 53 total bases and 22 runs scored…Also
with a mild ACL sprain in his left knee, a left knee selected to the AFL’s Rising Stars and All-
contusion and a lower back contusion…Suffered Prospect teams. MANAGER & STAFF
the injury running to first base on 5/27 at Boston. • In 2016, his second professional season, helped
• On 4/2/19, signed an eight-year, $100 million Single-A Rome win the South Atlantic League
contract extension that will keep him under Championship after recording three extra-base
control through the 2026 season…The deal hits and driving in three in seven postseason
contains club options for 2027 and 2028. games.
• At 21, was the youngest player in major- • Missed over three months of the regular
league history to sign a $100 million season with a thumb injury.
• He had accrued 165 days of major-league PERSONAL RONALD ACUÑA JR.
contract.
service at the time of the extension…The • His brother, Luisangel, is an infielder in the Texas
deal is the largest in history for a player Rangers organization…Luisangel, born in March
under club control with as little major- 2002, completed his first professional season
league service as Acuña Jr. in 2019, earning Baseball America DSL All-Star
• The contract is the second largest in honors.
franchise history, trailing the eight-year, • His father, Ron, was an outfielder in the minor SEASON IN REVIEW
$135 million deal signed by 1B Freddie leagues for three different organizations (New
Freeman in 2014. York-NL from 1999-2004, Toronto in 2005 and
Milwaukee in 2006).
minor league notes • His grandfather, Rosmaldo “Romo” Blanco, was a

• Entered the 2018 season as the No. 2 overall pitcher in Houston’s system.
prospect at MLB.com…Played in 17 games with transactions
Triple-A Gwinnett before having his contract
selected and making his major-league debut on • Signed by the Atlanta Braves as a non-drafted PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
4/25. free agent on July 2, 2014…Signed by Rolando
• Named Baseball America and USA Today’s Minor Petit.
League Player of the Year in 2017…Also tabbed • On Atlanta’s disabled list (left knee sprain and
by MLB.com as the Hitting Prospect of the Year lower back contusion) from May 28 to June 28,
and by the Braves as the organizational Player 2018; included a rehabilitation assignment with
of the Year…At age 19, played across three levels Gwinnett (AAA).
of Atlanta’s farm system, hitting a combined • Signed by the Atlanta Braves to an eight-year BRAVES HISTORY
.325/.374/.522 with a minor-league-best 181 hits contract extension through the 2026 season,
in 139 games. with club options for 2027 and 2028, on April 2,
• Began the season with High-A Florida, 2019.
before earning promotions to Double-A • On Atlanta’s injured list (left wrist inflammation)
Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett…Was a from August 12 to August 25, 2020.
Mid-Season All-Star with the M-Braves,
and was MiLB’s International League
Player of the Month for August with the OPPONENTS
Stripers…From his arrival in Gwinnett
on 7/13 through the end of the season,
ranked among International League
leaders in runs (38, 1st), hits (76, 1st),
stolen bases (11, 4th) and RBI (33, T4th).
• Played for the World Team in the SiriusXM
All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park in MISCELLANEOUS
Miami…Started in center field.
2021 ATLANTA BRAVES MEDIA GUIDE 67