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Ronald Acuña Jr.

Born: 12/18/1997 (Age: 18)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 205
Primary Position: CF
Physical/Health
Quick-twitch movement, explosive hands; present strength in lower half, potential to outgrow present speed; developing upper half, room to add muscle to upper-body; not an imposing figure but well-rounded, strong, athletic
Evaluator David Lee
Report Date 09/06/2016
Dates Seen 4/18-19; 9/3-5/16
Affiliate Rome Braves (Low A, Braves)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Video
2019 High 70 Yes
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 45 High hands stay quiet through load, attacks ball with stride and hands at fire; Plus bat speed, explosive hands through contact; loft to utilize power, plane can get inconsistent and loop to cause pop-ups; advanced tracking and pitch recognition, framework for 50 hit, but inconsistent plane slightly hinders contact
Power 60 Plus-plus raw power; outsized raw despite average size; hands, explosiveness through lower body generate power; swing plane to tap into raw; 30-plus-homer ceiling, contact concerns likely limit game utility to mid-20's
Baserunning/Speed 55 Times range 4.2-4.3, 4.15 on a leaner out of box; should settle to above-average speed as body develops; double-digit steals, big first-to-third speed; will easily rack up doubles and triples from speed; still developing baserunning skills, but shows some feel
Glove 45 Uncertain center-field future; above-average range for center, speed helps make up for inconsistent first step, below-average reads; fringe route skills, fringe overall skill set for center, athleticism would play up well in corner
Arm 55 Above-average arm for center; would play to average in a corner; good accuracy and limited arc, proper arm path for outfield
Overall

Acuna flashes all five tools with quick-twitch ability and true plus power, and he has the potential to play an up-the-middle position. Offensively, he projects as a .250 hitter with 25 home runs, 15 stolen bases, and the ability to walk enough for an average on-base percentage. The biggest question is whether he sticks in center. The range is there, but the reads are inconsistent at present and must develop further. Even with the defensive questions, Acuna has the chance to be an excellent everyday player in the majors, and if he puts it all together and surpasses a grade or two, there is All-Star potential here.

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