Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 7/31

Someone was asking about playoff chances for the various minor league clubs. I'll get into that tonight in the recaps.

Rochester 4, Gwinnett 2

• C. Burke 2-4 2B, HR(3), BB
• B. Conrad 1-2 2BB

Tim Hudson was scheduled to start this game buy left before throwing a pitch due to apparent groin soreness. As long as his arm didn't fall off I'm cool with it. Out of all our full season teams, Gwinnett has the best chance to make the playoffs. They are currently just 2 games behind Durham for the division lead and lead the league in the wild card. They have been right in the thick of things for most of the season and have a stable pitching staff right now with Bobby Brownlie, John Halama and JoJo Reyes (that sounds weird to say). I honestly think the only way Jason Heyward sees AAA is if the Braves don't call him up to Atlanta and allow him to play with Gwinnett so he can get some playoff experience.

West Tenn 4, Mississippi 5 - 10 Innings

• B. Hicks 3-5 2 RBI, BB
• J. Heyward 2-4 2B, RBI, BB
• F. Freeman 2-5 2B, 2 RBI, K
• C. Kimbrel 2IP 2H 0R 1BB 2K

The two headed monster that is Fredson Heyman got it done tonight with 3 RBI and 2 doubles. He just keeps getting it done. Craig Kimbrel made things a little interesting in the 10th when he got an out on a deflection to the 2B and then loaded the bases only the wiggle out of the jam with a pop out to short. Whew. Mississippi really has no chance to make the playoffs. The Southern League decides playoff teams through division winners from each half of the season. The Braves didn't win in the first half and are currently 7 games out. They are streaking recently but Jacksonville has been even better. My guess is Mississippi finishes in second place about 5 games out.

• C. Miles 3-4 2B, 2 RBI
• C. Shehan 2-3 2B, HR(1)

The first game of a double header goes the way of the Pelicans - but without Cody Johnson in the lineup. Chris Shehan stepped up with a big game while filling in as the LF. Some of you may remember that Chris Shehan was my breakout pick for this season. I was very wrong. Myrtle Beach was horrible in the first half of the season this year but finds itself only 2.5 games out of the race in the second half. They are still 16-18 but are in the weaker of the two Carolina League divisions. Whoever gets hot last probably wins this one.

Kinston 0, Myrtle Beach 3 - Game 2 - Final in 9 Innings

• C. Shehan 3-3 2 2B, BB
  
• B. Beachy 4IP 1H 0R 2BB 5K
• B. Pruneda 2.2IP 1H 2BB, 5K

Chris Shehan continues his mashing for the day as a thrown together group of relievers went out and pitched a two hitter. Too bad the Pelican offense hasn't been able to get anything going either. I will update later. Robert Marcial hit a walk-off, 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th to give the Pelicans the win!

Asheville 6, Rome 2

• A. Milligan 1-4 HR(7), 2K
• C. Culver 1-4 2B, RBI, K
• D. Francis 5.2IP 9H 5R 3BB 3K

Adam Milligan continues his baseball Jihad. So far he is winning. David Francis hasn't been as good as I had hoped he would be this season. I think I got a little too caught up in his 16 strike out game last season. I think he still has potential but I am going to temper my expectations a little bit. Rome is last in its division and has not chance to make the playoffs without a minor miracle.

Danville @ Bristol - RAIN

Danville is probably the team most likely to make the playoffs. They are leading their division by 3 games and have solid talent on both sides of the ball. I think only promotions could really hurt their chances.

GCL Blue Jays 5, GCL Braves 3 - 8 innings

• K. Rose 2-3 2B, BB
• J. Linger 2-3 RBI, K
• R. Pacheco 4IP 4H 0R 0BB 5K
  

The GCL Braves are also last in their division and 6 full games out of first (1-9 in their last 10!). I don't see them making the playoffs. I was going to write something about Ronan Pacheco but I realize now I don't really know anything about him other than he had some serious control issues in the DSL last year.