Acuña comfortable on game’s biggest stage
CLEVELAND – Only two years ago, Ronald Acuña Jr. watched the Midsummer Classic in awe as a 19-year-old in the Braves’ minor-league system. Although he was on an amazing tear that would take him from Class A to Class AA and Class AAA Gwinnett in the same season, he could not imagine himself among the game’s greats in the 2017 All-Star Game.
His mindset was more similar to an impressed fan’s than the best prospect in baseball. He proved himself among the best talents in baseball last season by earning the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He took his place among the game’s biggest stars Tuesday night at Progressive Field starting in center field and batting ninth for the NL.
“I’m super impressed,” he said. “Two years ago I could only watch it on TV and say, ‘Look Kris Bryant is going to hit. … Freddie Freeman.’ Now that I’m going to share the same field with them I feel super honored.”
With a charisma to match the Cleveland Indians’ Francisco Lindor, confidence reminiscent of the Astros’ Alex Bregman’s and as much talent as anybody in the game, Acuña took his rightful place this week in Cleveland as the youngest player in the All-Star Game.
His personality was on display before the Home Run Derby when he playfully predicted that he’d win it. He had a strong showing Monday night in the Derby, but he was eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champion Pete Alonso, 20-19, on a night all eight competitors were overshadowed by a record-breaking display by Toronto Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.
In many ways, the 20-year-old Guerrero is having the type of rookie season that Acuña had at the same age last season when he batted .298 with 26 home runs and 64 RBIs over 111 games.
Guerrero did not earn a place on this year’s AL All-Star team, but he appears destined for many All-Star berths in the future.
Acuña, who became the seventh reigning Rookie of the Year to participate in the All-Star Game, already got his first one out of the way.
He was 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts before exiting in the bottom of the fifth. Don’t be fooled by his modest performance in his All-Star Game debut.
The kid has the potential to be one of the game’s biggest stars.
The 21-year-old Acuña, who was the youngest player in the All-Star Game, already has 21 home runs and 53 RBIs with a .292 average and 13 stolen bases this season.
He secured his 50th RBI on June 23 in the 73rd game of the season. Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews are the only players in Braves history to get 50 RBIs in a season quicker before their 22nd birthday.
Considering the other greats and Hall of Famers who have donned the Braves’ uniform over the decades, it’s always impressive when you can do something that puts you in company with the former Home Run King Aaron and another legendary figure like Mathews.
“I’ve always been a dreamer in life, but I never imagined the success would come so quickly,” Acuña said. “But now that it’s here I have to keep working and take full advantage.”
Acuña left Cleveland without winning the Home Run Derby or securing a hit in the All-Star Game. Nonetheless, he played in the game that he always made sure to watch while growing up in Venezuela.
He’s still somewhat of a kid, but he’s no longer in awe of the players in the All-Star Game. He knows he belongs.
Featured Image: Adam Glanzman / Major League Baseball