Atlanta Braves: Should Fans Expect Ronald Acuna Jr. To Take Another Step Forward in 2019?

The Atlanta Braves have found the future of their franchise in young star Ronald Acuna Jr.   Acuna burst onto the scene last season helping to push the Braves back into relevance, what should fans expect from the young phenom in 2019?

Ronald Acuna Jr. is quickly becoming one of the most popular players on the Atlanta Braves roster. He ignited the Braves offense last season, piling up 56-extra base hits and driving in 57 runs in 111 games last season.

While the words “sophomore slump” will not be words Braves fans want to hear there will be some reason for concern in 2019. Acuna is a great hitter who is going to adjust (in time) to any attack pitchers choose.

But he is also a young hitter who is very aggressive and will be prone to striking out in his first few seasons.

This season pitchers have tape of the young hitter to study and know that he is an aggressive hitter who isn’t afraid to swing the bat. This will work against Acuna early on in the season as pitchers begin to pitch him more carefully.

Being patient and giving Acuna time to adjust will be key for the Braves. He is a young phenom who will face struggles, short lived struggles he will bounce back from quickly.

2019 will likely be a tale of two halves for a young player who is going to help lead the Braves back to the postseason. After some early struggles Acuna will show the National League what he is capable of putting his name into MVP discussions.

Projected Line- .302 Average-34 Homers-85 RBI-102 Runs Scored-25 SB-187 K’s 

These numbers are easily achievable for Acuna who has the talent to put up even better numbers if he overcomes pitcher’s adjustments earlier then expected.

This season will be Acuna’s first full season, a season that is going to be full of ups and downs for a hitter who is becoming one of the best in the game.