Atlanta Braves Five Reasons They Can Compete in 2018
By Kit Anderson
5. Ronald Acuna Jr. Delivers on Promise
There isn’t a Braves fan with a pulse who isn’t excited about the arrival of Acuna Jr, at least not one that I have met.
He checks all the boxes and is a true five-tool player though it remains to be seen if that will translate to hitting Major League pitching every day.
For the Braves to become surprise contenders in the National League Acuna is going to have to deliver on some high expectations providing solid defense and adding a power bat to the lineup that the team is so sorely lacking.
Paired with Nick Markakis and Ender Inciarte, Acuna could complete one of, if not the best trios in the National League if he can produce at the level fans are expecting.
That is a lot of ifs for a team who will need a lot to fall their way to become contenders a year earlier than expected.
While some struggles should be expected from a rookie Acuna is no normal rookie considering he is baseball’s top prospect according to many pundits. Acuna could be the last missing piece for the Braves a piece that could push them into relevance all season long.