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Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Ronald Acuna wins NL Rookie of the Year

Braves’ star outfielder Ronald Acuna has been named the 2018 National League rookie of the year, the league announced Monday.

He topped fellow outfielder Juan Soto of the Nationals 114-89. Acuna garnered 27 first-place votes while Soto had two. Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler was the third finalist.

The Braves can now claim eight rookie of the year winners. Acuna is the first since reliever Craig Kimbrel in 2011. Rafael Furcal (2000) and David Justice (1990) were other semi-recent Braves to achieve such.

QLE Posted: November 13, 2018 at 05:46 AM | 8 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: ronald acuna, rookie of the year

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1. Man o' Schwar Posted: November 13, 2018 at 09:30 AM (#5786433)

Tough to argue with this one, even though Soto was great.

2. Zonk Sits on the Stool next to Slats Steely Posted: November 13, 2018 at 09:33 AM (#5786437)

I suppose... if Soto had come up earlier, who knows. Probably would have come down to which D numbers you believe.

3. PreservedFish Posted: November 13, 2018 at 10:19 AM (#5786467)

Soto vs Acuna, who do you take?

4. Zonk Sits on the Stool next to Slats Steely Posted: November 13, 2018 at 10:24 AM (#5786472)

Probably Acuna... his defense - at least per the numbers - looks better. Soto might well be a better offensive player, but if given the choice - I'll slice a bit off offense to get the more well-rounded player.

Close though...

5. DCA Posted: November 13, 2018 at 12:15 PM (#5786578)

2/3 of the way through the season I would have easily preferred Soto. There is no flaw in Soto's bat while Acuna's K rate was concerning.

Acuna really closed the gap in the last third. Not just the mid-August HR streak, but he actually improved on his seasonal numbers after that streak ended.

Acuna probably has the greater upside with defense and power, but push me to choose and I think I still take Soto. I think his bat is special, while Acuna's is merely really good.

6. The Yankee Clapper Posted: November 13, 2018 at 12:54 PM (#5786615)

Soto only had 35 PA above Class A when he was unexpectedly called up due to a rash of outfield injuries. There's a pretty good chance that his defense gets better as he has more experience gauging the ball off the bat in Major League stadiums, IMHO. Too early to tell how good he'll be, but on the Age-19 MLB Leaderboard he's the All-Time Leader for OB%, OPS, OPS+, BB, IBB, Adjusted Batting Runs, Adjusted Batting Wins & Offensive Winning %. That's a pretty good start.

7. Bote Man Posted: November 13, 2018 at 06:29 PM (#5786917)

Most smart people think this is a fair vote, so I have no big problem with it. I'm not much for these awards in the first place.

It warms my heart that Soto and Acuña seem to be genuine friends, seen smiling arm-in-arm during the A.S.G. like...those famous ball players from opposing teams from yesteryear. You know.

8. The Duke Posted: November 13, 2018 at 07:17 PM (#5786964)

Acuna played surprisingly bad defense in left, I’m guessing he just needs to adjust to the majors but his bat is very special. I didn’t see enough of Soto but I would only trade Acuna for Trout straight up and even then I would hesitate, mostly due to age differential.

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Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Ronald Acuna wins NL Rookie of the Year

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