Tortugas' José Acuña brings home Florida State League Pitcher of the Week honors
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Minor League Baseball announced on Monday, September 5, that Daytona Tortugas RHP José Acuña has been named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for Week 21 (August 29-September 4). The 19-year-old is the fourth Daytona player to be honored with a weekly award in
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Minor League Baseball announced on Monday, September 5, that Daytona Tortugas RHP José Acuña has been named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for Week 21 (August 29-September 4). The 19-year-old is the fourth Daytona player to be honored with a weekly award in 2022. RHP Sam Benschoter was named the circuit’s Pitcher of the Week for Week 5 (May 2-8), 1B Ruben Ibarra and 1B Yassel Pino each accrued Player of the Week recognition for Week 10 (June 6-12), and 19 (August 15-21).
The four weekly award winners are the most for the franchise in a single season since Daytona players were recognized eight times during the 2016 campaign. OF Aristides Aquino (May 1), IF Taylor Sparks (May 29), OF Reydel Medina (July 31), IF Shed Long Jr. (August 7), IF Blake Trahan (August 28), and IF Gavin LaValley (September 4) brought home Player of the Week honors. RHP Tyler Mahle (June 19) and LHP Ismael Guillon (August 14) fetched Pitcher of the Week accolades.
During his start against the second-half Eastern Division-leading Palm Beach Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday night, the right-hander posted five shutout innings of one-hit ball. Acuña plunked one batter and struck out four, facing just two batters over the minimum. In total, the teenager threw 67 pitches and 47 strikes (70.1%) in a no-decision.
Acuña paced qualifying pitchers in the FSL in WHIP (0.20), batting average against (.063), hits-per-nine-innings (1.80), and opposing OPS (.181) over the course of the week.
Since making his Tortugas debut on August 2 in St. Lucie, Acuña has compiled an 0-1 record with a 2.25 ERA (7 ER in 28.0 IP) in 6 appearances (4 starts), yielding just 13 hits and 8 walks, striking out 27 batters. In that span, the teenager tops the circuit in BAA (.141), WHIP (0.75), H/9 (4.18), and oOPS (.421), while sitting third in ERA (2.25) and pitchers-per-inning (14.18), fourth in innings pitched (28.0), and tied for sixth in strikeouts (27).
Acuña is in his second professional season after being signed by the New York Mets as an international free agent out of Bejuma, Carabobo, Venezuela on July 2, 2019. He was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds along with fellow Tortugas OF Héctor Rodríguez in exchange for OF Tyler Naquin and LHP Phillip Diehl on July 28, 2022.
The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, September 6, to open up their final homestand of the 2022 regular season against the Tampa Tarpons, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Yankees. The series opens with another Shell Yeah Cookout. The $15 add-on includes the full “Bases Loaded” menu during a 90-minute buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, baked beans, cookies, Pepsi products, and more. It is also a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don unique pink-clad uniforms that will be auctioned off at the end of the season with all proceeds to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Silver Sluggers Night presented by Conviva is a part of the festivities. The exclusive 60-and-older club features deals at the team store, concession stands for members, and more. The series opener also marks a Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.
The night will begin with the suspended affair from July 17. Tampa will have a runner at first and one out in the bottom of the fourth inning in a scoreless game. Roughly 40 minutes after the conclusion of the earlier ballgame, a seven-inning nightcap will follow. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 5:20 p.m. leading up to the 5:35 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas’ Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.