Braves Star Ronald Acuña Will Reportedly Participate in the Home Run Derby

Even though the field for the 2019 Home Run Derby wasn't going to be short on star power, one of the brightest young stars in the game will try to make history in Cleveland.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña, who is currently hitting .290 with 19 home runs on the season, will participate in the Home Run Derby alongside a stacked field, according to a report.

Of players with at least 100 batted balls this season, Acuña's average home run distance ranks 10th in baseball at 420 feet. He may not have the 240 pounds of muscle most prototypical Home Run Derby kings have, but his bat speed gives him as good of a chance as any.

Acuña will join a field that will already feature Milwaukee's Christian Yelich, Pittsburgh's Josh Bell, Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cleveland's Carlos Santana, and Mets slugger Pete Alonso. Of that group, only Vlad Jr's average home run distance is greater than that of Acuña's.

Progressive Field's high wall in left field will be no challenge that Acuña can't overcome. Even without names like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the 2019 Home Run Derby is shaping up to be one of the best in years.