Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
The Miami Marlins are always at the center of any drama surrounding Braves star Ronald Acuña. What else is new?
It’s tough to call being placed at designated hitter rather than outfield drama, but we know which position Acuña would rather be playing. He’s stated, flat-out, that he wants to play the field.
Meanwhile, manager Brian Snitker has placed some limitations on him that come straight from upstairs, as the Braves front office doesn’t want to see their long-term investment suffer another setback.
“I think the best thing I can do is to keep playing the way I play the game,” said Acuña. “If I try to do anything different, it would just diminish the game and it would diminish the way I play.”
The Marlins artificial turf is to blame for Acuña playing DH rather than in the outfield. Artificial turf can tear up a knee and just the lower body in general, as any soccer player in the United States can surely tell you. Grass is far superior, and when Atlanta returns to the road or the friendly confines of Truist Park, you can expect Acuña back in the field where (he feels) he belongs.
#Braves will have Acuña DH only in Miami in his first series here since tearing his ACL in July. But Snitker said it’s only because of the artificial turf, and that they did same at Texas. By one-year point from surgery he’ll likely play outfield regardless of playing surface.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) May 20, 2022
In the end, it remains important for the Braves to take things slow with their franchise player. Especially with Freddie Freeman gone, Atlanta lacks players that can help them weather another storm without the star power of a Ronald Acuña.
As great as Ozzie Albies, Marcell Ozuna, Dansby Swanson and Austin Riley are — as well as their supporting cast and pitching staff led by Max Fried — there’s no denying how much better the Braves can be with Acuña in the lineup.
It’s the best move for Brian Snitker to keep him there, and relatively unharmed.
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