Over his last five games, Ronald Acuña Jr. has one hit (a HR) and is batting just .058. On Monday morning, John Fricke and Hugh Douglas discussed his issues since signing his $100 million deal. Is Ronald Acuña pressing?
Both guys feel he is, but while Hugh believes it's because of the contract, Fricke feels something else is the issue.
Ronald Acuna Jr. since signing his $100 Million contract:17 at-bats1 hit (a HR).058 avg3 walks and 4 strikeouts
— 92.9 The Game (@929TheGame) April 8, 2019"I don't think it's the contract," said Fricke. "I think it's hitting fourth. I wanna go back to putting him leadoff."
As a former athlete, Hugh Douglas does feel the contract has him a little bit off right now, even if he doesn't know it.
"When you get that kind of money, $100 million, you just signed this big deal, he is probably pressing a little bit," said Hugh. "He's in the locker room and guys ribbing him about his new contract, and he probably doesn't even know he's under pressure to get the job done. As a young player he needs to relax and go back to the basics. He's still 21"
John Fricke thinks putting Acuña in the leadoff role, where we've seen him be comfortable, would be a big help and not just for Acuña.
"I would put him for the Rockies series at the top of the lineup," said Fricke. :Maybe it kickstarts him and if it does maybe it kickstarts Josh Donaldson too. Change the dynamic up, just a little bit, and see if we can't kickstart both of those guys."
