Chipper Jones is back at Braves spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in uniform, and he was as candid as ever when he talked with reporters about the state of the rebuilding team and its emphasis on restocking the organization with young talent.
Here are Chipper's views on three aspects of the minor-league system. Read AJC Braves writer David O'Brien full interview here:
Q: Have you had a chance to talk to Dansby Swanson, seems like you might have a couple of things to share with him? (shortstop prospect Swanson and Jones were both No. 1 overall picks in the June draft.)
A: I just had a conversation with him 10, 15 minutes ago. Everybody in this organization loves him, obviously. We traded for him, we gave up Shelby Miller for him. He's a kid that's going to hopefully play in Atlanta a long time. He's impressed why he's been in camp. I have not put my eyes on him yet, as far as being out there on the field, but that's what I'm kind of looking forward to today and the next two weeks. Because I don't know, if somebody asks me if I feel comfortable evaluating talent, I know what guys look like, the finishing product at the major league level. So, to evaluate talent at the minor league level is something that I have no clue whether I'm good at or not. I hope that I am, but we're soon about to find out.
Q: Does the quality and quantity of minor league talent her now resemble or remind you of the type of farm system the Braves had when they were bringing up the likes of you, David Justice, Ryan Klesko and so many others of that era?
A: "Well, I hope so. I hope it's that good. You're talking about some really good players that Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz drafted there in the late '80s, early '90s, that kind of gave us the foundation that set us up for division titles and World Series and National League pennants and all that kind of stuff. That's what it's going to take. I hope we get back to that level. They're stocking the farm system with arms, with good young everyday talent. I've seen three or four kids on those backfields that I've been astonished by how good they are, that they're not at least being looked at here. Because I'd like to see them against major league pitching. But there's a stockpile, and I think that competition that we had when I was coming through the minor leagues is now starting to show itself over there. You're going to earn your spot in big league camp before you get it.
Q: Have you had a chance to see (power-hitting third base prospect) Austin Riley?
A: "I've heard about him, but I have not seen him play. But I've seen a kid named (Ronald) Acuna who plays center field, and I'm hearing comparisons to a young Andruw Jones. I'm hearing Austin Riley, who's probably going to be the next third baseman here. I saw a kid named (Johan) Camargo, who I was astonished at playing shortstop today. Cannon of an arm, and you can tell he's got good actions to play the middle infield at this level. You wonder, what's holding him back? And obviously he's got some work to do with the bat before he gets that opportunity. There are numerous examples where kids are on the cusp of doing some really special things, and it's going to take them solidifying it down there before they get a chance here.
