Honor Roll: Riley, Acuña spearheading Braves’ dominance in Arizona Fall League

Stats: .344/.425/.672, 5 HR in 17 games

Atlanta’s unquestioned No. 1 prospect no longer requires introduction. His performance in the Arizona Fall League officially tops off a year-long hitting clinic spanning from Australia to spring training in Orlando, up through three levels in the Braves’ minor-league system and, now, the star-studded fall-league circuit. Over that span, dating back to his winter-ball stint in the Australian League, the 6-foot outfielder claims 81 extra-base hits in his past 717 official plate appearances.

Acuña’s 1.097 OPS is tied for second only behind Riley, tallying five doubles, five home runs and 12 RBI in 61 at-bats while also swiping two bags.

Arguably the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball, Acuña joined Riley and Touki Toussaint on the AFL All-Star roster and quickly showed off yet another elite tool: Per Statcast, Acuña reached a top speed of 29.4 feet per second on a stolen-base attempt. Only nine MLB players posted faster times last season. Yet another way Acuña will immediately upgrade Atlanta’s outfield when he’s promoted next year.

Mark J. Rebilas