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VIDEO: Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna hit by pitch, exits game, but seems to be okay

By Jeff Schafer

MIAMI, FL - JULY 09: Ronald Acuna #24 of the Atlanta Braves and the World Team looks on against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 09: Ronald Acuna #24 of the Atlanta Braves and the World Team looks on against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Braves outfielder and top prospect gets HBP, exits game

The Atlanta Braves have the top prospect in all of baseball!  How exciting is this?  Outfielder Ronald Acuna has played in eight games for the Braves in the 2018 Spring Training and he hasn’t disappointed at all.

The 20-year-old has actually been ripping through the spring with a slash line of .435/.519/.565 with a home run, four RBIs, two runs scored, two walks, five strikeouts and two stolen bases.

You can show me past stats, what teams did prior with top prospects, or all the beliefs you have on why Acuna will start the season in Triple-A…I don’t care.  I still think the Atlanta Braves front office and organization is debating on if they should start the season with Acuna in the majors or send him to the minors.

The deal is, if you’re not caught up to speed, if the Braves have Acuna start the 2018 season in the minors and stay there until April 13th, the Braves get a seventh year of control before Acuna can hit the free agent market.

Listen, I’m not saying I think the Braves should have Acuna on the Opening Day roster.  I just think they’re still contemplating it.

Monday’s HBP

In 2017, a hit-by-pitch took Freddie Freeman out for over a month — and pretty much the entire rest of the season since it lingered so long.  The damn HBP!

Before you starting sweating, Ronald Acuna was hit by a pitch on Monday afternoon, BUT it doesn’t seem too serious.  He’ll most likely wake up on Tuesday with a bruise though and be a little sore.

Pirates right-handed pitcher, Trevor Williams was on the mound in the 5th inning.  He was in a bind right from the get go.  He walked Ozzie Albies on four pitches and then gave up a single to Johan Camargo.  He struck out Tyler Flowers on three pitches (but Flowers doesn’t have his swing down yet).  Then it was Acuan’s turn at the plate.

Williams was originally drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2013 in the 2nd round (44th overall), but then was traded to Pittsburgh for RHP Richard Mitchell.  Williams started 25 games for the Pirates in 2017 and went 7-9 with a 4.07 ERA.  I believe he’s competing for a starting rotation job.

So on the first pitch Acuna saw from Williams, he saw it coming straight for him.  In fact, straight to his lower back region.  Maybe his hip, maybe his rib cage, maybe just a soft portion of his lower back.  In any case, like I said above, he’s going to be a little sore from this.

Acuna left the game right when he got to first base after the HBP.  Cristian Pache entered the game for Acuna and the Braves in the outfield.

Next: Freddie Freeman makes amazing over shoulder catch

He’s considered day-to-day.  We’ll see how tomorrow goes, but it’s very, very possible he doesn’t travel with the Braves to Dunedin, Florida to take on the Blue Jays.  And then the Braves are off on Wednesday.

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