Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna and Cristian Pache give updates on their 2017 season
By Jeff Schafer
Braves top prospect Acuna and rising star Pache give updates on season
In 2017, Ronald Acuna jumped from Single High-A, to Double-A Mississippi, and then all the way to Triple-A Gwinnett. The Atlanta Braves front office, along with all of us, witnessed something spectacular from this young man and it was priceless.
Going into the season, Acuna was ranked by Baseball America as the #67 prospect in the game. Baseball Prospectus had him at #31 going into 2017. I can almost guarantee that both of these sites will have Acuna in their top 10 — probably top 5 — going into 2018.
Cristian Pache is a rising star within the Braves organization and if you don’t know the name yet, remember it. The 18-year-old played the entire 2017 with the Single-A Rome Braves and had a pretty successful season.
Pache had a slash line of .281/.335/.343 with eight triples, 13 doubles, 42 RBIs, 60 runs scored and 32 stolen bases.
In 2015, Pache was ranked as the #14 overall international prospect. The Braves signed him for $1.4 million.
On MLB.com, Acuna is ranked #1 in the Braves organization and Pache is ranked #11.
Many people try to compare both Acuna and Pache. Acuna has the power, but Pache wins in the speed category — though Acuna has plenty of speed.
These two are the future of the Atlanta Braves outfield. It’s going to be extremely fun watching these two, plus Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and all those pitchers for the next decade.
On Thursday, both Acuna and Pache gave updates on their 2017 season. Below is the video, but will pre-warn you that you probably won’t be able to understand it. The translation is below.
If you don’t speak Spanish, here is a translation
Ronald Acuña: I feel very proud taking into consideration the job that I have done and my teammates. It is an honor for me to represent the Atlanta Braves.
Interviewer: What has been the best experience for you at the moment since you have been here?
RA: The best experience that I had was the day when I received the Atlanta Braves award and the minor league player of the year award, it was an honor for me.
Interviewer: 2017 season a great year for you, can you talk to us about that?
RA: Thank God it was a great season, had ups and downs, but I was able to stay healthy. Which is the most important because without health I can’t play and I thank God a lot for this season.
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Cristian Pache: Very happy, there were ups and downs, but I made the adjustments to move on giving always 100% and taking the advice that our manager gives us to give. The 100% on and off the field.
Interviewer: What does it feel like to be here on this “#DíaDeLosBravos” (Braves day)?
CP: Very happy because it is seen that the work is being taken into account and thanking God first and the Braves to give me the chance to be here with my teammates.
Interviewer: At the moment, in the experience of being here, what do you think about the stadium?
CP: Very beautiful. It’s the first time I’m here and they have treated me very well
Interviewer: What is your long-term goal?
CP: Keep me in the big leagues and give 100% to be able to win a championship with my team.
Thank you to @BravesFanMX for the translation