The Atlanta Braves have assigned top prospect Ronald Acuna to minor league camp.

The move likely allows the Braves to gain an extra year of contractual control over the young outfielder.

If the Braves keep Acuna, 20, in the minors until April 13 they'll limit his service time enough to prevent him from becoming a free agent until 2024.

"We feel like it would probably be best overall, from a philosophical standpoint, to give him more development time," Alex Anthopoulos said. "There's no manual on how to handle a player's development. They're not all the same."