Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 7/20

Gwinnett 1, Scranton/WB 6

• F. Freeman 1-4 2B, K, .290 Avg
• J. Montero 2-3 2 HR(10), 3 RBI, BB, .271 Avg

I couldn't find any other Braves worth putting on this list so Jesus Montero gets the call, especially after the discussion from yesterday's recap. The question was who is going to be more valuable long term: Jesus Montero or Freddie Freeman? I actually think their season's demonstrate what I believe pretty well. Remember these two are the two youngest players in the International League right now. If you look at their seasons Freddie has been more consistent throughout the season and has slowly gotten better as the season has worn on and then really shot up last month and this month. Even with these two good months I don't think he was ever in any really bad slump (maybe one right before he got hot in July), he was just steady all season. Montero on the other hand was just terrible the first two months and then got a little better and then July got here and he did this: 18-47, 3 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 12 BB, 7K, .383/.500/.702. I think long term this is a good indicator of how things are going to pan out offensively: their career numbers may look fairly similar at the end but Freddie will get there by being steady year in and year out but at his peak Montero will probably be better but his career may not last as long. Just my two cents.

Mississippi 5, Mobile 6

• W. Cabrera 1-3 2B, RBI, 2 BB, .329 Avg
• M. Gomez 4-5 2B, RBI, .263 Avg
• B. Beachy 5IP 5H 3R 2BB 7K 1.47 ERA

Brandon Beachy had his first trouble as a starter and I wouldn't even consider it a bad start other than he didn't go more than 5 innings. I think, more importantly, is that he is throwing about 100 pitches a start each time out right now which means he just needs to manage his pitches better. He is striking out so many guys that it is running his pitch count up a bit. Willie Cabrera also continues to roll along killing baseballs and adding to his legend.

Wilmington 4, Myrtle Beach 5

• M. Jones 1-4 2B, K, .290 Avg
• J. Kreke 1-2 HR(1), BB, K, .316 Avg
• S. Sime 1-3 HR(3), 2 RBI, .250 Avg
• JJ Hoover 6IP 5H 3R 1BB 5K 3.65 ERA

J.J. Hoover put together his 4th straight quality start in July though he did push his monthly ERA up over 1.00 for the first time this month. This game had a strange ending. With the game tied going into the 9th inning Michael Jones hit a leadoff double. Coles Miles came in as his pinch runner and then was sacrificed over to 3rd. The next batter grounded out and left Miles at 3rd but he scored during the next batter when the pitcher balked in the winning run. That has got to hurt.

Lexington 3, Rome 1

• J. Leonard 2-4 K, .381 Avg
• J. Hanson 2-4 HR(3), K, .249 Avg
• C. Rasmus 6IP 5H 3R 3BB 6K 3.14 ERA

Cory Rasmus has been quietly having a fantastic comeback season. Reports have him throwing in the mid-90s again and he has been compiling the strikeouts (72 in 83 innings). I wouldn't be surprised to see him wear down a little in the second half of the season, simply because he hasn't played in two years, but this season is already a success for him.

Pulaski 8, Danville 1

• B. Kleinknecht 1-3 2B,  .232 Avg
• W. Kempf 8IP 3H 1R 0BB 8K 1.29 ERA

Willie Kempf has been amazing in both stops this season allowing just 13 hits in 32 innings while striking out 36. He probably needs to find his way into the Rome rotation for a real challenge. He pitched well enough for the win, even with just 5 hits of support on offense, but Matt Lewis came in and gave up 7 runs (granted just 2 earned, but he still can get guys out after an error) and the Braves lost the game despite an amazing performance from the 27th Rd pick.

GCL Braves 9, GCL Pirates 8

• M. Lipka 2-5 RBI, 2 SB(8), .333 Avg
• B. Drury 2-4 2B, 3B, BB, .242 Avg
• C. Johnson 2-3 RBI
• D. Falcon 3-5 2 RBI, .615 Avg

I missed it last night, but Cody Johnson started his rehab assignment with the GCL team and went 0-2, K. I expect him to hit 6 or 7 homers a night while he is here. Danny Falcon now has 8 hits in 13 AB for the GCL Braves after being pretty terrible in the Appy League. Brandon Drury is 7-17 in his last 4 games with 3 of his 4 XBH coming in those games. Matt Lipka is still in "beast mode".

DSL Braves 1, DSL Blue Jays 2

• E. Daniel 3-4 2B, RBI, K .313 Avg
• J. Saldeno 6IP 3H 0R 2BB 5K 2.05 ERA

Jesus Saldeno continues to put up impressive numbers for the DSL Braves. He has 44K in 44 innings of work while allowing just 28 hits and 10 walks. I believe we have another stable of impressive international arms coming up through our system.