2018: The Year Of The Venezuelan Trout

[BeanieAntics]

Justin Upton is a great player, don't get me wrong. But Acuna is a lot faster, plays much better defense, and in the long run will probably be a better hitter than Upton. The best WAR Upton has ever put up is 6.3 on Fangraphs and 5.5 on B-R. If I were a betting man, I would 100% bet on Acuna having multiple seasons that eclipsed that number. I think a better historical comp might be a guy like early career Andre Dawson.

I've seen enough of Acuna in the minors and early in the pros to think that he is quickly going to become one of the 5 best players in baseball.

[BeanieAntics]

Did Justin Upton have attitude problems? Seems like one of those things where his black skin implies the existence of non-existent baggage.

Yeah thank goodness Acuna isn't black so we can avoid those attitude issues...

[chop2chip]

Yeah thank goodness Acuna isn't black so we can avoid those attitude issues...

*Googles Acuna wears his hat to the side stories

[Carp]

I vaguely remember the Arizona GM throwing some shade his way around the time of the trade. And I think I think I remember reading in the months leading up to us trading him where J-Up's personality didn't fit well with that Braves style or something of that nature. But I've never actually seen or read anything to suggest any major character flaws for J-Up, at least not any more than the average major league player.

[thewupk]

I vaguely remember the Arizona GM throwing some shade his way around the time of the trade. And I think I think I remember reading in the months leading up to us trading him where J-Up's personality didn't fit well with that Braves style or something of that nature. But I've never actually seen or read anything to suggest any major character flaws for J-Up, at least not any more than the average major league player.

The same Arizona management group that wanted "gritty" players.

[zitothebrave]

Also a good bit more speed.

Justin Upton when he first came up he was swiping 20 bags per year. As he got older he bulked up and got slower. Don't assume Justin is slow. He was a legit 5 tool prospect.

[GeorgiaGirl]

Justin Upton is a great player, don't get me wrong. But Acuna is a lot faster, plays much better defense, and in the long run will probably be a better hitter than Upton. The best WAR Upton has ever put up is 6.3 on Fangraphs and 5.5 on B-R. If I were a betting man, I would 100% bet on Acuna having multiple seasons that eclipsed that number. I think a better historical comp might be a guy like early career Andre Dawson.

I've seen enough of Acuna in the minors and early in the pros to think that he is quickly going to become one of the 5 best players in baseball.

Actually...Acuna might not be as good defensively as you think. He has the tools to play a great OF but he's very raw in it, and it doesn't matter if it's not CF.

The tools are obvious...if there's anything even with swing tweaking to get to his power he might hit too many groundballs. I do believe that he has .300/.900+ 30/30 upside but that's probably not this year.

I think it's next year.

[Ozzie Swanson]

Justin Upton when he first came up he was swiping 20 bags per year. As he got older he bulked up and got slower. Don't assume Justin is slow. He was a legit 5 tool prospect.

He was never as fast as Acuña is now. That's not a knock on Upton.

[thewupk]

He was never as fast as Acuña is now. That's not a knock on Upton.

Perfect Game had JUP with a ridiculous 6.23 in the 60 yard dash back in 2004. That's 80 grade speed.

https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/....aspx?ID=18847

[zbhargrove]

Yeah I think people forget what a freak prospect Jupton was...

[weso1]

Justin Upton is a low energy Jeb! kind of guy. Acuna doesn't seem to be that way.

[zitothebrave]

Yeah I think people forget what a freak prospect Jupton was...

Yeah. Sadly I'm not putting Acuna down. I think comparing him to Heyward or Justin is a complement. People forget that as prospects those 2 were studs. People forget that Justin was the 1st overall pick at 17 and made it to the majors by 19. Which isn't common to have someone that young make it to the majors on under 2 years of minor league time.

To compare him to Justin Upton as a prospect is a really high complement as his defense skill never quite graded out .If Acuna becomes Justin Upton with better defense I'll be stoked.

[Super]

seems j-up suffers from andruw syndrome...hype was so high that even tho they've had great seasons, fans think they're somewhat of a disappointment.

upton has had a really good career. he's just not an all-timer, which is fine. i do think acuna will be better tho.

[Super]

k-rate at 18.4%. not sure what's more encouraging: that or his exit velos. i expected the exit velocity, so it's probably the k-rate for me. and obviously it's early, but he's not up there hacking, or swinging and missing.

[SJ24]

After 11 games, here's who wins between Ronald and Trout as rookies by category.


HR per PA: Trout
Average: TIE
BABIP: Trout, so this really means Ronald is more unlucky
BB%: Trout
K%: Ronald
ISO: Ronald
SB per PA: Trout
wOBA: Trout
wRC+: Trout
Medium or Hard Contact%: Ronald
O-Swing %: Trout
Z-Swing %: Ronald
O-Contact %: Trout
Z-Contact %: Ronald
SwStr %: Trout

Average Exit Velo: Ronald is faster, but that is data from this year for Trout
Spring speed: Ronald is faster, but that is data from this year for Trout


What we can glean from this: Ronald is a bit more aggressive and may be a bit more unlucky.

We really need the Braves to let him loose on the basepaths. The homers will come judging by the exit velos and Medium/Hard contact %.

[Ozzie Swanson]

Perfect Game had JUP with a ridiculous 6.23 in the 60 yard dash back in 2004. That's 80 grade speed.

https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/....aspx?ID=18847

Damn, I was not aware he had ever been that fast.

[thewupk]

Damn, I was not aware he had ever been that fast.

I was very surprised by this as well. Who knows how Acuna will age but I see his speed leaving him within the next few years as it does most players like him. He will still have above average speed but he likely loses some as he fills out and gets older.

[cajunrevenge]

when I say attitude problems I meant being resistant to coaching. I think it comes from a more humble background. Justin was a presumptive first overall pick when he was 13.

[CyYoung31]

I was very surprised by this as well. Who knows how Acuna will age but I see his speed leaving him within the next few years as it does most players like him. He will still have above average speed but he likely loses some as he fills out and gets older.

In other words, Acuna will no longer be fun to dance with?

[cajunrevenge]

If Acuna hits like an MVP candidate then we shouldn't be risking his health on a lot of steals. First time he jams or breaks a finger the topic will come up.