Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 6/30

Gwinnett 7, Toledo 4

Matt Young and Freddie Freeman continue to produce, as Freeman extends hit hitting streak to 20 games. Big Freddie has raised his average 31 points during that streak. Jose Ortegano struck out a lot of batters, but he also allowed too many runners, with 8 in 5 innings. Mike Dunn continues to amaze and Cory Gearrin, who's been great in June, did a great job setting him up.

Mississippi 5, Birmingham 1

Cody Johnson has been limited by a severe hamstring injury and tonight was his first start since June 16th. He was lifted from the game after his first 2 at bats, hopefully just as a precaution. 36 at bats is a small sample size, but Jesus Sucre has been great since joining the M-Braves a week and a half ago. Brandon Beachy has been great all season, and even better since becoming a starter. In his 3 starts, covering 18 innings, he has a 1.00 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP and is striking out 10 batters per 9 innings. The Braves have had a knack for discovering gems over the years, and Beachy, a non-drafted free agent, might be next in that line.

Myrtle Beach 2, Kinston 1

After his Mycal Jones' 10 game hitting streak ended, ironically the night I saw him play against Potomac, he told me it was time to start a new one. True to his word, he's now working on a 6 game hitting streak, going 9-25 in that span. Paul Clemens made his first start of the season, replacing the injured Arodys Vizcaino in the rotation, and pitched like a top prospect, shutting down the K-Tribe for 5 innings. He's all arms and legs when he comes toward the plate and since the Braves have allowed him to go back to his natural delivery, a long leg kick and a 3/4 arm slot, he's been much more effective this season.

Rome 3, Greensboro 4

The man who only needs to be known by his initials is working on a 9 game hit streak, spread over 2 months. Now that's impressive. This was one of Brett DeVall's better appearances of the season and he just keeps on providing hope that he'll be fully recovered next season and ready to take his career to the next level. And again, no Edward Salcedo yet, but apparently tomorrow should be the day.

Danville 0, Elizabethton 1

Lucas La Point, a 23rd round pick from 2009, took the loss despite an outstanding performance. At 19 he's just the right age to be playing in Danville and he's been great in his 2 starts, with a 1.50 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. This year's 34th round pick, Matt Fouch, a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, was fantastic in relief of La Point, tossing 2 perfect innings and striking out 5.

GCL Braves 6, GCL Yankees 2

Don't look now, but this year's first round draft pick, Matt Lipka, is 4-11 with 2, doubles, 2 RBI, and 2 walks in his last 3 games. Fernando de los Santos has been a little better, as in his last 2 games he's gone 4-5 with 2 doubles, 3 RBI, and 2 BB. Kyle Cofield made his second rehab appearance and it went better than his first, as he struck out 3 in just 2 innings. This year's 27th round pick, Willie Kempf, was the real pitching star for the day, tossing 5 shutout innings to earn the win. He's thrown 11 scoreless so far for the Orlando Braves, but as a 22 year old college senior, from Baylor, he should be dominating the league.

DSL Braves 2, DSL Rangers 1

Hector Garcia has been great this year for the Dominican Braves, hitting .308 with a .772 OPS and 9 steals in 78 at bats. The 18 year old Columbian is a 6'2", 170 pound switch hitting centerfielder. Rafael Briceno, a 19 year old Venezuelan, is having a great campain as well, with a 2.89 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP in 28 innings.