How the Diamondbacks nearly signed Braves phenom Ronald Acuna

(Photo: Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports)Ronald Acuna Jr. might be the best young player in baseball, an outfielder with an explosive bat whose production as a 20-year-old rookie has helped fuel the Atlanta Braves’ bid for a division title.

And the Diamondbacks almost had him.

To hear Junior Noboa tell it, he thought he had a deal with Acuna four years ago. Noboa, the Diamondbacks’ vice president of Latin American operations, recalls Acuna working out for the club in the Dominican Republic and agreeing to a deal that included an $80,000 bonus. A few days later, Acuna signed with the Braves for $100,000.

Within a couple of years, Acuna was regarded as one of baseball’s better prospects. Prior to…