Atlanta Braves in the AFL – weekend update

We knew that the Braves were sending a loaded group of prospects out to the desert this Fall, but playing and excelling are two different things.  But they are.

We are now 15 games into the Arizona Fall League season now, and the Peoria Javalinas (9-6) are using a stacked roster to power their way through their competition.  But among them, their Atlanta Braves‘ representatives are more than holding their own.

RONALD ACUNA

While he was hitting last week, Acuna didn’t get started with much more than a lot of singles.

In his case, I guess that must be hat a ‘slow start’ looks like.  This week he’s been terrorizing opposing pitchers.  His slash line is suddenly .366/.440/.683/1.123 with 3 homers – and very nearly a couple more.

On top of that, he’s taking his walks – 6 of them so far along with 10 K’s… only 3 of those this week.

In fact, if you just take his last six games (back through October 19), Acuna is 9 for his last 20 (.450) with 4 doubles and 2 homers.

So we really need to see more Acuna… here ya go.

AUSTIN RILEY

So no, Acuna isn’t leading his team in OPS… he’s fourth.  In a second place tie (1.124) is Austin Riley. Yes – this is the guy who hit for a cycle on Thursday – the first one in AFL competition since 2008.

Okay, so he’s hitting .346 now for Peoria, slugging .731 with 2 homers in just 26 AB, but people have doubted that he could stick at third base.

Well, squint your eyes and check out this… he had a couple of defensive gems that day:

ALEX JACKSON

The guy who is leading this team in OPS is this one… up to 1.180 while hitting .341 with 5 homers now in 41 AB… again, while taking the vast majority of reps behind the plate.

He isn’t getting talked about a lot, but Jackson is thundering (.780 slugging) his way through the desert with 8 XBH in 14 overall hits.

MAX FRIED

When we last checked in on Max, he hadn’t given up a run yet.  Well, that’s now changed – he’s yielded one – but his domination hasn’t.

13 innings over 3 starts, 6 hits, 18 K and just 4 walks.  ERA is 0.69 and WHIP is 0.77.

but wait…there’s an update from today:

Just one more quick mention right now – Touki Toussaint had a bad outing (5 earned runs while getting only 1 batter out) early this week, but he’s still been good otherwise.

In fact, he rebounded from that hiccup to post a single-inning, 2 strikeout 1-2-3 frame yesterday.

Next: Baseball is the Best

Expect at least a couple of these guys to be named as AFL All-Stars next week!