Rook will benefit other Braves

When Albert Pujols burst onto the scene in 2001, the game of fantasy baseball was forever changed. The upside of an unproven commodity suddenly trumped the proven talent of veteran players and the fantasy youth movement bullied its way onto the scene.

The number of rookies drafted in fantasy has increased steadily each and every year. Pujols was the catalyst, but since then all anyone wants to know is who will be the next Mike Trout. But for every Trout or Bryce Harper, there are hundreds just like Jason Heyward.

Every so often, though, among the sea of misses, we do eventually find a hit. This year, his name is Ronald Acuna. If you haven’t heard of him, don’t bother looking at your league’s waiver wire — he already is on someone else’s team.

Acuna’s raw power is off the charts. He can steal bases with the best of them, and he possesses the plate discipline of a savvy veteran, not that of a 20-year old kid just getting his first taste of the big leagues.

The Braves just brought him up, and in his first two games, he was 4-for-9 with a double, a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored. He will be a staple at the heart of the Atlanta lineup for the duration of this season and for years to come.

Obtaining Acuna at this point of the season is a lost cause. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of the fun.

Acuna eventually will be moved up in the order, and the Braves’ lineup is going to be explosive. Ender Inciarte will have mad runs scored with Acuna batting behind him. Ozzie Albies, already off to a monster start, only will get better once Acuna is moved up. And if you need RBIs, just wait until you see Freddie Freeman with Acuna batting third.

If you can’t acquire the primary talent, the fringe still will help you get it done in fantasy. Act now, before Acuna really starts to light it up.