While most people are counting their fantasy football winnings this week, true fantasy baseball enthusiasts are already scouring the sports pages for any nugget of information that could provide an edge heading into next year’s draft. While the baseball world focused on the Winter Meetings, waiting for trades and free-agent signings, a potentially massive fantasy storyline quietly emerged that could impact the first round.
Ronald Acuña Jr. remains one of the most talented players in baseball and not long ago was a consensus top overall pick. However, a significant injury derailed his season and raised questions about what version of Acuña fantasy managers can expect when he returns fully healthy. Will he still run enough to approach the 73 stolen bases he recorded before the injury, or will Atlanta encourage him to be more conservative on the basepaths? His power profile also presents uncertainty. Acuña has crushed 41 home runs twice in his career, but over his last 150 games he has hit just 25. He also owns six seasons with fewer than 27 homers.
His batting average has fluctuated as well, ranging from lows of .250 and .266 to five seasons above .280, including his remarkable .337 campaign three years ago. Some insight may have surfaced last week when Braves manager Walt Weiss said he is open to moving the 2023 National League MVP back to the leadoff spot.
“It’s enticing to have him at the top of the order,” Weiss said. “I really like when a lineup turns over and there’s teeth right away.” Acuña was moved out of the leadoff role last summer partly because he wasn’t running as aggressively. With more recovery time, his legs could again become fantasy gold.
Another encouraging sign is that Acuña has already recorded six stolen bases in his first eight games in the Venezuelan Winter League. If he returns to the leadoff spot, Jurickson Profar’s run-scoring value could take a hit. While others focus on bowl games and fantasy football payouts, smart managers won’t let news like this slip by before baseball draft season arrives.