Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 6/28

Gwinnett 4, Columbus 3

Matt Diaz, in what apparently was his final rehab game, took the hat trick. Freddie Freeman is 3 for his last 7, with a pair of doubles and a homer, as well as 2 walks in that span. Todd Redmond got back on track with a great start and Scott Proctor just might be all the way back from his injury. Craig Kimbrel had a typical game for him, with 2 walks, a K, and a save. Additionally, last year's first round pick, Mike Minor, has been promoted to Gwinnett.

Mississippi 5, Birmingham 3

Erik Cordier has been a little all over the place this season, but he put up a solid start tonight. You'd like to see fewer walks, especially from a pitcher who profiles best long-term as a reliever. You also have to wonder when Willie Cabrera is going to get moved up to AAA. A .321 average and a .822 OPS in his return to AA, where he put up pretty decent numbers last year, seems like enough to have proven he's mastered the level.

Myrtle Beach 8, Lynchburg 9

Julio Teheran proves he is mortal after all tonigh, and this game was a perfect example of why those wishing to rush him up to AA need to relax a little. He faced the Hillcats on May 26th and shut them out over 6 innings; this time, with 5 of the same hitters in the lineup (who combined for 5 of the 12 hits off of him) he was knocked around. Young players can learn as much from failure as they can from success and I have no doubt Julio took a lot out of this game. The top of the Pelicans lineup did their best to support their ace, combining to go 8-14 with 3 doubles and a homer.

Rome 4, Lexington 3

Cory Rasmus walked way too many tonight, but he limited the hits and pitched well enough to win the game. In his last 2 games Tom Berryhill has 2 saves and has allowed just 1 run in 5.2 innings. Robby Hefflinger, who appears to be playing as much first base as he has right field, continues to prove my faith in his ability worthwhile, as he clubbed out a pair of homers tonight.

Danville 4, Elizabethton 1

Andrelton Simmons hit into a three run error that sealed the D-Braves win in this one. Kyle Farrell got the game started off right and Matt Suschak and Dalton Acord finished it off even better combining to strike out 10 in 5 innings while picking up the win and the save respectively.

GCL Braves 0, GCL Phillies 9

Kyle Cofield, a member of Atlanta's 40 man roster, made his first rehab apperance on his path to returning to Mississippi's rotation and got hit around a little. But, it was just rehab, so the results aren't as important as whether or not his arm and mechanics are sound.

DSL Braves 7, DSL Blue Jays 5, Game 1

18 year old Abraham Espinosa may be the next in the great line of Braves Latin American prospects. In 27.1 innings, covering 5 starts, he's 3-0 with a 0.99 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP. He's not striking out many, averaging just 6.3 per 9 innings, but he also hasn't walked anyone in all those games. Anyone. No one. That's no walks in 27.1 innings. In his first 27.1 innings as a professional. Wow.

DSL Braves 3, DSL Blue Jays 0, Game 2

It's only the DSL, but Edward Salcedo has been the total package, showing average, speed, pop, and patience, hitting .297 with a .885 OPS. The 7 errors are troubling, but, while they may be the best available in the Dominican, I'm guessing the fields down there aren't anywhere near as well kept as the ones here in the States. 20 year old Elvin Garcia has had a nice season so far, with a 1.44 ERA and a 0.88 ERA in 25 innings spread over 8 appearances (4 starts).