Padres News: Manny Machado has Hall-of-Fame Comparison for NL Rival

Quite the comparison for the Braves outfielder.

If there is one thing that Manny Machado is going to do, other than dominate the third base position, is give respect where respect is due even if its to players on the opposing team.

The San Diego Padres are coming off of a four-game road series against the Atlanta Braves where they took home three of those as wins. However, the MLB opted to have Machado mic'd up during that time and in the midst of sharing different facts about himself and communicating with teammates, he dropped quite the hot take.

Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. is widely regarded as one of the best outfielders in the league currently. He dominates his side of the field with ease and also serves as a multi-level threat whenever he steps up to the plate. San Diego got to witness him up nice and close recently and Machado believes he comes very close to an MLB legend with his skillset.

Manny Machado says Ronald Acuña Jr. is the closest comparison to Ken Griffey Jr. in today’s game pic.twitter.com/YbAWgBH3g7

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 11, 2023

"I mean, what he's doing out there, you've seen the catch he made the other day?" said Machado. "That throw he almost got out Cronenworth in the second inning. Speaking about Griffey earlier, this is the closest comparison we got to a player like that... Acuna."

Ken Griffey Jr. was easily one of the most skilled and all-around players that ever laced up a pair of baseball cleats. He compiled a total of 13 All-Star game selections, ten Gold Gloves, and seven Silver Sluggers. He did all of this while displaying production on both offense and defense that few have matched. 

Ronald Acuna Jr. still has some ways to go if he wants to reach those heights but he already has three All-Star games to his name along two Silver Sluggers. Unfortunately, he did tear his ACL in 2021 and he could not finish out a season with the Braves that ended with a championship.

Nonetheless, Machado recognizes how special he is as do many other people. Padres fans will get even more accustomed to him in the next few years.