new Klaw article. Loves Acuna hates Riley

[Russ2dollas]

http://espn.go.com/blog/keith-law/in...ingfulmeracuna

Riley has slider bat speed and 20 foot speed. Don't expect him on our top prospect list from Klaw.

[smootness]

That's not a big surprise. Law loves flashy tools, and that's not Riley's game. It is Acuna's.

[nsacpi]

Acuna is a big time prospect.

[Russ2dollas]

not surprising....but slider bat speed and 20 foot speed is BAD.

Acuna looks like he could be a guy that makes a jump into some top 100 lists next year with graduations and a good performance. Especially if he puts to bed any idea of him having to move from CF.

[UNCBlue012]

Acuna is a big time prospect.

Is he? I never see him listed above a top-10 in our system. lol

[50PoundHead]

Frank Thomas had slider bat speed as well. As did Cecil Fielder. I'm not as high on Riley as some (although I think he's one of the top two or three hitting prospects in our system right now). But it appears the guy has big-time strength, so if he can lay off crap and make pitchers throw him his pitch, he could still be successful. I'm really curious to see how he does in full season ball.

[nsacpi]

Is he? I never see him listed above a top-10 in our system. lol

You're obviously not looking at the right lists. Here is mine from August.

1. Albies
2. Allard
3. Mallex Smith
4. Soroka
5. Riley
6. Yepez
7. Davidson
8. Acuna
9. Toussaint
10. Gant

http://www.chopcountry.com/forums/sh...ighlight=Acuna

[50PoundHead]

You're obviously not looking at the right lists. Here is mine from August.

1. Albies
2. Allard
3. Mallex Smith
4. Soroka
5. Riley
6. Yepez
7. Davidson
8. Acuna
9. Toussaint
10. Gant

http://www.chopcountry.com/forums/sh...ighlight=Acuna

Yours is the list that matters! Seriously, you're closer than most when it comes to grading prospects.

All I've read about Acuna is that his tools are top drawer and the little blurb this spring that the Braves were pleased with his improving work ethic. Rome is going to be an interesting team to watch. They will be young, so I'm expecting some early struggles, but there should be a lot of good things happening on that team as it develops.

[striker42]

Frank Thomas had slider bat speed as well. As did Cecil Fielder. I'm not as high on Riley as some (although I think he's one of the top two or three hitting prospects in our system right now). But it appears the guy has big-time strength, so if he can lay off crap and make pitchers throw him his pitch, he could still be successful. I'm really curious to see how he does in full season ball.

I'm thinking Troy Glaus.

[50PoundHead]

I'm thinking Troy Glaus.

He'd be another slider-speed bat guy who did alright for himself. If he indeed does have a slider-speed bat, Riley will have to make adjustments, but it's not like adjustments can't be made.

[clvclv]

I'm thinking Troy Glaus.

If Riley can turn into Glaus, I'd take that - several really good seasons and a solid piece of a strong team.

Tough for us to remember sometimes, but these guys don't all need to turn into All-Stars. If our pitching continues to improve and several of the arms we have just approach their realistic ceilings and you surround them with a solid lineup from top-to-bottom, you've got a chance to contend for a good while (see the Giants).

[Carp]

I'm thinking Troy Glaus.

Matt Williams also.

[nsacpi]

Let's not forget Scott Rolen.

[sturg33]

Mike Schmidt also

[nsacpi]

And David Wright.

[sturg33]

I suppose I could live with a Chipper Jones type career

[CyYoung31]

Justin Upton is the king of slider bat speed.

[JohnAdcox]

Did someone say sliders?

[Braves1976]

You're obviously not looking at the right lists. Here is mine from August.

1. Albies
2. Allard
3. Mallex Smith
4. Soroka
5. Riley
6. Yepez
7. Davidson
8. Acuna
9. Toussaint
10. Gant

http://www.chopcountry.com/forums/sh...ighlight=Acuna

That is a solid list and mine would be almost the same as yours. But not surprising since we usually agree on grading prospects.

[clvclv]

Was nice to hear Chipper mention Acuna earlier.