Ronald Acuna is a star

[SJ24]

So far in Australia:

At bats: 59
Average: .356
OBP: .400
HR: 2
RBI: 13
BB: 5
K: 12
SB: 11
CS: 2

Could eventually be a .300 hitter with 20 HR power and the ability to steal 20 bags while playing center field for Atlanta.

Signed for $100,000 in 2014 out of La Guaira, Venezuela.

What a steal.

[Jay212033]

Seeing him in person gives you an even greater appreciation of his skill set. Dude is a baller!

[sturg33]

All hail Frank Wren!!

[thethe]

All hail Frank Wren!!

John Hart was calling the shots by that time. Even with that all international scouting was performed by JJohnny Almaraz who left to become a bigger guy with the Phillies.

Wren was a disaster and the organization is finally healthy again because his ass got kicked to the curb.

[nsacpi]

John Hart was calling the shots by that time. Even with that all international scouting was performed by JJohnny Almaraz who left to become a bigger guy with the Phillies.

Wren was a disaster and the organization is finally healthy again because his ass got kicked to the curb.

brings back fond memories of your claim that hart forced wren to draft braxton davidson....great memories...some things dont change

[thethe]

brings back fond memories of your claim that hart forced wren to draft braxton davidson....great memories...some things dont change

I don't believe I ever said that.

I do remember that being hinted on by some other posters though.

Even if Hart did do that I don't think that would be a positive in his corner as Davidson hasn't been anything to get excited about.

[sturg33]

John Hart was calling the shots by that time. Even with that all international scouting was performed by JJohnny Almaraz who left to become a bigger guy with the Phillies.

Wren was a disaster and the organization is finally healthy again because his ass got kicked to the curb.

It's truly OK to acknowledge that Wren did some good, and that it also was the right decision to move on. His record as GM was fantastic here

[thethe]

It's truly OK to acknowledge that Wren did some good, and that it also was the right decision to move on. His record as GM was fantastic here

I miss these debates with you btw my friend.

Wren did well in the early years when he benefited from an absurd amount of young talent that he could create a team from. Once he took over the reigns of the minor leagues it was depleted and left us in a horrid position. Thankfully, the new regime was able to turn 1 year assets (of awesome players) into tremendous long term pieces.

[emk418]

It's truly OK to acknowledge that Wren did some good, and that it also was the right decision to move on. His record as GM was fantastic here

Totally agree. There was a lot wrong with Wren and the success wasn't sustainable....but you can't ignore that overall we did well with him

[smootness]

It's truly OK to acknowledge that Wren did some good, and that it also was the right decision to move on. His record as GM was fantastic here

Wren did a lot of good and made some good trades. He also made some terrible FA signings, and by the end the MLB team was seriously flawed and had fallen off, and the farm system was completely depleted.

So yes, I agree that Wren did a lot of good but had to go when he did. I think that should pretty much be the consensus at this point.

[Jay212033]

I think the post was about how good Acuna is... not about who should take credit for it...

This!

[Carp]

It's truly OK to acknowledge that Wren did some good, and that it also was the right decision to move on. His record as GM was fantastic here

Not that I think Wren was terrible or anything, but I would hardly use fantastic to describe his tenure. We made the playoffs 3 times and he decimated a once strong farm system.

[chipchildress]

so is this league like an advanced A ball skill level but with AAA level of age?

[Russ2dollas]

I'd like to see Acuna do it on the AA stage before I call him a star.

But he'd be close to untouchable from trades if I was the GM.

[clvclv]

I'd like to see Acuna do it on the AA stage before I call him a star.

But he'd be close to untouchable from trades if I was the GM.

Depending on what/who the trade was for and how much you believe in Ender/Mallex, that would be tough to argue. That said, neither Ender or Mallex should ever be terribly expensive to keep if you choose to (because of their skill sets), so if including Acuna gets you a legitimate, controllable "Ace" at below market value it'd be tough to call him "untouchable" for me, but how many of that type of Pitchers are out there? Archer and Quintana would qualify for me - I wouldn't include him in a deal for Gray (or really anyone with less than 4-5 years of control).

"Untouchable" probably includes Freeman, Teheran, Swanson, and Maitan to me - but Acuna's certainly in that next group with Albies IMO.

[Russ2dollas]

Depending on what/who the trade was for and how much you believe in Ender/Mallex, that would be tough to argue. That said, neither Ender or Mallex should ever be terribly expensive to keep if you choose to (because of their skill sets), so if including Acuna gets you a legitimate, controllable "Ace" at below market value it'd be tough to call him "untouchable" for me, but how many of that type of Pitchers are out there? Archer and Quintana would qualify for me - I wouldn't include him in a deal for Gray (or really anyone with less than 4-5 years of control).

"Untouchable" probably includes Freeman, Teheran, Swanson, and Maitan to me - but Acuna's certainly in that next group with Albies IMO.

agree...that's why I said close.

If I could get Quitana and Acuna was the main piece I'd do it. But I don't think there are many of those players available. And I'm not likely to do a deal where he's the second piece and none where he's the third.

[mqt]

so is this league like an advanced A ball skill level but with AAA level of age?

I've seen it described more in line with Short Season or Low-A, so I would temper expectations a little, but it's still nice to see him excel.

[Deester11]

I've seen it described more in line with Short Season or Low-A, so I would temper expectations a little, but it's still nice to see him excel.

I don't know. Doing it in Rome would still be magnificent. I saw him before he got hurt. He had more of a presence than Riley did. He's going to be good. (And at the time Riley was scuffling).

[thethe]

I'm sure the competition is very meh in Australia but Acuna is absolutely crushing the ball.

By the end of this season Braves could have two position players in the top 10.

[jimsnores]

2016-17 [+] 20 72 15 27 40 5 1 2 13 10 0 13 13 3 .375 .446 .556 1.001 1.64

Acuna has at least temporarily hit the magic 1.000 OPS in Australia!