Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Younger Brother Earns Leap Into Professional Baseball Hopes With Contract

While the New York Yankees harbor a hole at shortstop in their roster, the league seems to be flourishing with them. Reportedly, the Minnesota Twins are the latest to the party, having signed young international prospect Bryan Acuña to their roster in the 2022 international signing window.

The international signing window is the only thing to keep baseball ticking, especially amidst the lockout. Providing fresh signings and exciting new prospects to participate in the MLB in the coming years, the window has seen some moves. Another younger brother of a current MLB star seems to be on the market and the Twins have acted fast.

Who is Bryan Acuña?

The Venezuelan teenager is the younger cousin of MLB star Ronald Acuña Jr., who plays for the Atlanta Braves. The 2018 NL Rookie of the Year has put in impressive performances since his debut. Having made 2 All-Star appearances, Acuña has several family members playing in MLB.

Another of their cousins currently plies his trade at the A level for the Texas Rangers. However, if reports are to be trusted, Bryan Acuña has signed the most lucrative Acuña rookie international deal so far. Reportedly, Bryan put pen to paper on a $650,000 contract with the Twins as soon as the international signing window opened.

Bryan Acuña may not be a physical specimen yet, checking in at 5-11, 155 pounds. But let’s not forget that the 16-year-old still has plenty of growing up to do. Add to that, the signing seems to generate some serious contact in the bullpen.

Signing for the Minnesota Twins

While Braves’ fans may not be happy with the development, the credit goes to the Twins. With Ronald out, courtesy of an ACL tear that he suffered during the 2021 season, Braves fans would have been hoping that the signing would have seen another Acuña on their roster, even if only to go into their farm system.

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The Twins, however, have been credited with tremendous talent pipelines being the product of vast scouting networks. And while budget constraints remain operative, limiting their spend to $5.71 million on eligible players between now and December, the Twins have done this before.

The Twins have shown tremendous faith in their international signings. And they have been likewise repaid. But the effects of the talent development sometimes may be too long terms for franchisees looking for immediate results. Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Miguel Sano, Jorge Alcala, and Luis Arraez were all signed as teenagers between 2009 and 2014 and developed in the Twins’ system.

Acuna will be looking to add his name to the list, but in the meantime, the Twins may be looking at another significant foray into the international signing window here.