Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 6/22 - All Star Edition

by yondaime4 on Jun 23, 2010 12:04 AM EDT in Braves Minor League Recaps

Buffalo 6, Gwinnett 3

F. Freeman 1-4 .263 Avg
M. Jones 4-4 HR(12), .259 Avg
J. Reyes - BAD
C. Gearrin 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 3K 3.49 ERA

Mitch Jones was all about some offense tonight after he took a couple of days off following an extended o-fer slump. Too bad Jo-Jo Reyes attempted his best Tommy Hanson impersonation. Or is that the other way around? Either way Reyes gave up all 6 runs in his 5 innings and the Braves lost. The End.

Mobile 7, Mississippi 6

W. Cabrera 2-3 RBI, .313 Avg
M. Daniel 3-4 2B, 2 RBI, K, .271 Avg
J. Gonzalez 2-3 2B, 2 RBI, BB, .216 Avg

Juan Gonzalez needed to get on base tonight because when you make 3 errors you better make up for it with your bat. Scott Diamond made his own error, scored a run on a wild pitch and pitched generally ineffective. On a lighter note Willie Cabrera got back on the hit parade with a couple more singles. He is still my boy.

California League All Stars 4, Carolina League All Stars 3

J. Teheran 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 2K
JJ Hoover 0.2IP 0H 0R 1BB 2K

No, Randall Delgado did not appear in this game because he pitched 7 innings last night. I find it a little sad that the best pitcher in the league didn't get to play in the game. The two Braves who did appear were pretty damn good, though. I am especially happy with Hoover's performance who was hit pretty hard last time out but then recorded both of his outs via the strikeout.

SAL North 5, SAL South 5 - 10 Innings - Suspended

C. Masters 1IP 3H 2R 0BB 2K
C. Rasmus 1IP 1H 0R 0BB 0K

Apparently Bud Selig was on hand for the Sally league All Star game, but I digress. Chris Masters started the game but gave up a 2-run homer to Kyle Skipworth to put the South into an early hole. Cory Rasmus came on in the 6th and held the other side at bay.

Danville 5, Princeton 1

A. Simmons 1-4
J. Whitmer 1-3 2B, RBI, BB
D. Falcon 2-4 2B, RBI, K
A. Odreman 1-2 HR(1), 2 RBI, 2BB
C. Perez 5IP 4H 1R 4BB 3K

The rookie ball teams are really intriguing to me this season for some reason. Andrelton Simmons was considered one of the best defensive players in the draft but his bat is a bit of a question mark. A lot of people thought the Braves would take him as a pitcher but here he is playing shortstop. He is a little old for the Appy League but he could move quick (a 'la Myke Jones). Carlos Perez is another talented pitcher who I believe we will all be talking more about at season's end. He is an 18 year old lefty with electric stuff who had a rough showing last year as a 17 year old in the GCL. I can't wait to see more from him. Also, don't get too excited about Alberto Odreman. He is going to hit some homers, but that is about it.

GCL Braves 3, GCL Tigers 4

M. Lipka 0-3 BB, K
W. Rivera 3-4 2 2B, RBI, SB(1), CS(1)
D. Rohm 2-3 2 RBI, BB

Wilson Rivera has spent his last 3 seasons in the DSL and put up an .809 OPS last year as a 19 year old. I don't really have much info on him other than he has flashed solid plate discipline (though with some Ks). He might be worth keeping an eye on.

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Comments

So Whitmer got sent down to Danville? I thought he was doing pretty well with Rome.

by chopc on Jun 23, 2010 12:38 AM EDT reply actions

He wasn't doing bad, but I wouldn't call it "pretty well" either...

with Cunningham and Gosselin coming on there, someone had to go to make room. Whitmer’s .287 average, 6 doubles, and only 7 Ks in 87 at bats looks nice, but his mere 1 walk, 1 HR, and .732 ops aren’t quite as encouraging. Plus, he’s back behind the plate in Danville, and he wasn’t gonna catch in Rome with Bethancourt and Schleuber there.

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 23, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Really, Schehuber should have been the guy to get sent down. He’s not very good. At all.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jun 23, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe they felt Whitmer would get more regular work and at bats in Danville...

with Bethancourt behind the plate and RSF on the mend to take back 1B. There’s DH, but that seems to be split between Harrilchak and Hefflinger for the most part.

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 23, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m really hoping that when I go to see MB tomorrow in Potomac that Harrilchak is there. He really isn’t going to get better playing in the SAL. He’s a little older and needs to compete at the higher level.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jun 23, 2010 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Where is Daniel Matra at these days? I had high hopes for him at one point..

Alone in the world of the little CatDog...

by bwellnjonesco on Jun 23, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

He got released a few weeks ago. It’s a shame, I like Dan a lot, and he was obviously a good player at one point, playing on the same Junior USA team as Freddie Freeman, but a series of injuries and illness really derailed his career.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jun 23, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

And he's taking away ABs from Bethancourt

by Jay212033 on Jun 23, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably not taking them away, since Bethancourt really doesn’t need to be in every single game at his age anyway, but he’s certainly taking them from someone.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jun 23, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

True

Dude has been awful since signing.

by Jay212033 on Jun 23, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope Mitch gets a callup when the roster expands.

With crappy overpaid vets of course!

by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on Jun 23, 2010 12:47 AM EDT reply actions

did you just imply that delgado is better than teheran? I know that people on this blog love delgado, but honestly? Teheran is a year younger and is outperforming delgado at the same level. Teheran has a better walk rate, better k rate, and a better ERA. Delagdo is a good prospect, maybe even very good, but teheran is an elite prospect.

by telemakhos on Jun 23, 2010 12:48 AM EDT reply actions

I’m fairly certain he meant best in the league because of what’s he done in the league. He’s been there all year and is, with little competition, the best pitcher, statistically, in the league. Which is, you know, what an All Star game is about.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jun 23, 2010 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Teheran

According to the announcers(who were obviously Braves guys) Teheran was sitting 96-97 consistently and touched 98 once with a wicked slurve and a great change up. When I saw him in Rome he touched 98 as well I just thought it was a pumped up gun because he was sitting mainly 93-95 but this kid is absolutely awesome and he only 19 WOW!!!

by Jay212033 on Jun 23, 2010 12:53 AM EDT reply actions

When he works in that 93-95 range he’s dirty. He can pump it up, but the ball loses movement. Fortunately, he’s smart enough to realize this and only lights it up when he really needs to get a ball by a slow hitter. I love this kid.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jun 23, 2010 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Andrelton Simmons

From what you wrote about him yondaime, it’s not clear whether you know exactly what with Simmons. Disregard this if you do know the story.

Braves announced him as a pitcher when they drafted him, wanting to convert him because of his raw tools, but he asked for the chance to prove he can play in the field. The Braves relented, and when they signed him, it was as a short stop. Considering that many don’t think his bat is going to develop enough, it’s likely that he ends up back at pitcher at some point.

by Bronn on Jun 23, 2010 2:25 AM EDT reply actions

Ah I knew he had been announced as a pitcher but I was unaware that he asked oft the mound. Thanks for the heads up

by yondaime4 on Jun 23, 2010 9:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Rookie Leaguers

I too consider these players to be fascinating, particularly the young 3d world players who have “graduated” up to the USA after several seasons of “academy” league ball on the islands. I keep thinking that like with J. Teheran, R. Delgado, et. al, on the pitching side, the Braves are going to catch lightening in a bottle on the position player side and we are going to be looking at a Roberto Clemente 2.0 level player.

This Wilson Riveria kid is an example:

Full Name: Wilson Rivera
Born: 10/30/1989
Birthplace: Santiago, Dominican Republic
Height: 6’ 1"
Weight: 195
Bats: R
Throws: R

Year Team League AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
2007 DSL BRA DSL .221 41 131 27 29 5 1 0 6 36 19 30 7 3 .318 .275 .593
2007 Minors .221 41 131 27 29 5 1 0 6 36 19 30 7 3 .318 .275 .593
2008 DSL BRA DSL .245 31 102 18 25 5 0 1 15 33 11 33 2 0 .330 .324 .654
2008 Minors .245 31 102 18 25 5 0 1 15 33 11 33 2 0 .330 .324 .654
2009 DSL BRA DSL .273 38 132 27 36 7 3 2 8 55 17 33 5 1 .392 .417 .809
2009 Minors .273 38 132 27 36 7 3 2 8 55 17 33 5 1 .392 .417 .809
2010 BRA GCL .500 2 8 1 4 2 0 0 2 6 1 1 1 1 .556 .750 1.306
2010 Minors .500 2 8 1 4 2 0 0 2 6 1 1 1 1 .556 .750 1.306

Signed by the Atlanta Braves as a free agent on July 24, 2006.

So, after being signed as a (presumably) skinny 16 year old kid, he’s played 110 games over 3 seasons in the DSL, flashed some serious pop in the bat, and having just turned 20 finds himself in the land of opportunity. Who knows?

by fandave on Jun 23, 2010 7:07 AM EDT reply actions

Scott Proctor is back with Gwinnett...

1 inning with all 0s expect 1 walk.

And DSL last night was a 3-1 win.
Abraham Espinosa went 6 innings, 3 hits, 3 Ks, the rest are 0s. (Turned 17 earlier this month, and has 22.1 innings in 4 starts, allowing 15 hits, 2 runs, and 18k to 0 bb)
The hitters had little special, with the one you know, Salcedo, going 0-4, but they hit just well enough to win.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2010_06_22_dtirok_dbrrok_1

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 23, 2010 7:36 AM EDT reply actions

Salcedo

Even though he was 0-4 I really love the fact that he’s going the opposite way. 3 of his outs were to the right side and the last one was to CF. I love seeing this type hitting from young guys.

by Jay212033 on Jun 23, 2010 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions

David Rohm is the most intriguing draft pick to me.

From the scouting reports I read, it sounds like if they can find a place for him in the field, there’s very little doubt he’ll develop into an MLB caliber hitter.

by J-Turn14 on Jun 23, 2010 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

Hoover

I know that Hoover has been a workhorse the last couple years in both the Rome and Myrtle Beach starting rotations, but when brought out for an inning in the ASG last night, you could see why he’s been mentioned as a late inning reliever-type guy down the line. When he starts, he sits 88-91. Last night in the All-Star Game, he was hitting 93-94 consistently with a good change. It was good to see his versatility and that he can dial it up when needed.

by fattums182 on Jun 23, 2010 4:15 PM EDT reply actions