By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Chipper Jones, the Braves most recent addition to the Baseball Hall of Fame called Ronald Acuna the next Mike Trout. No pressure huh?

Braves outfield prospect Ronald Acuna soared to the No. 1 spot in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects list for 2018.

This is pretty high praise for a 20-year old kid. Acuna is coming off a magnificent season in which he hit a combined .325 with 31 doubles, 8 triples, 21 homers, 82 RBIs, 44 stolen bases and a .896 OPS in 139 games.

The Braves have drafted well recently and have 8 prospects listed in the top 100 of Baseball America’s list of top prospects. The Braves fan base would agree that the future is bright if all of these players develop and make the show.

But going into the 2018 season the Atlanta Braves will not be predicted to make a playoff run. So, people are asking will Ronald Acuna be on the opening day roster. Personally, I haven’t been this excited about a kid in the Braves system since Andruw Jones back in the 1990’s and that turned out pretty well for the Braves.

Acuna who is from Venezuela was signed by the Braves in 2014 for $100K. Acuna just turned 20 last December, and has fast tracked through the Braves system and now appears on the cusp of being a major league starter on opening day in 2018.

Matt Kemp is gone and that opens up a spot for Acuna in left field. Outside of Freddie Freeman the lineup has no consistent power, so Acuna brings much needed pop to that starting 9.

Here is the scouting report on Ronald Acuna:

Acuna is a legitimate five-tool player who has the potential to be a superstar at the big league level. Acuna is a big physical kid with an athletic and strong build. He will continue to grow into his body.

Hit: Acuna has above average bat speed and can hit to all fields with ease. He can drive the ball easily to any field. As he develops into a major league power hitter he will consistently bat in the .280 to .300 range and drive in a lot of runs.

Power: Acuna has raw power that needs to be developed, but has shown he can be a consistent HR threat in minor leagues.

Glove: Acuna is a good athlete and has the ability to play all three outfield spots and will probably settle into RF as his career progresses.

Arm: Acuna had the best outfield arm in the minors last season. The arm strength is exceptional. Once he settles in the Braves lineup he will have one of the top outfield arms in baseball.

Speed: Long strider with impressive top end speed. Acuna’s speed will translate in the Braves outfield because he will go get balls Kemp could not last year. Good base runner who can steal bases if needed.

Look for Acuna to have a long Braves career. As he just turned 20, look for Acuna barring a trade to be the piece the Braves build around for the next 10-12 years.

Acuna along with the young arms in the farm system could bring a World Title back to Atlanta in the next 10 years.

Ronald Acuna will be the next Braves superstar. All he needs now is to be the Braves opening day starter in left field. I think he will be. He showed up 4 days early to Spring Training so management is taking notice.