The Braves will have their young stud around for the long term.
Atlanta on Tuesday signed second-year outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. to an eight-year contract that will reportedly guarantee him $100 million.
The deal includes two club options (for the 2027 and 2028 seasons) and would max out at $124 million if both are picked up by the Braves, ESPN and Fancred Sports reported.
Acuna:
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 2, 2019
100M, 8 years. Plus 2 team options.
124M possible.
1M for 19 and 20
5M ‘21
15M ‘22
17 M ‘23-‘26
17M option ‘27 and ‘28
10M buyout of 1st option #braves
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"I'm really so happy to be here in Atlanta for a long time." Acuna told reporters at a press conference to announce the signing, per MLB.com. "I love my teammates, my fans, the people. I want to say thank you to the Braves organization for trusting me with this contract. I'm so happy, you know?"
Acuna, 21, won National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 after batting .293 with 26 home runs and 64 RBIs.
He was the No. 1 prospect in baseball before the 2018 season and is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the game.
This is one of the biggest extensions for a pre-arbitration player in MLB history. Mike Trout holds the record with six-year, $144.5 million deal while Alex Bregman is a close second at five years and $100 million.