Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 7/8

Charlotte 6, Gwinnett 3

• F. Freeman 1-3 RBI, BB, .284 Avg
• J. Thurston 3-4 2B, RBI, K, .253 Avg
• J. Schafer 0-1 RBI, BB, .206 Avg
• M. Dunn 1IP 1H 0R 1BB 1K 1.08 ERA

Todd Redmond doesn't bring his A game to the table tonight and the Braves can't overcome the deficit he gave them. Freddie Freeman got on base twice tonight and drove in one run and Mike Dunn rebounded after he gave up 3 runs his last time out. For those of you who have been wondering about Jordan Schafer he has been hitting .162 over his last 10 games with 10K and just 1 walk. He isn't even doing the things that he used to do well which is a bit frightening to me.

Birmingham 1, Mississippi 7

• A. Richardson 1-3 2B, RBI, BB, K, .315 Avg
• W. Cabrera 2-4 2 RBI, .326 Avg
• S. Diamond 7IP 6H 1R 1BB 6K 3.52 ERA

Get it done Willie! Scott Diamond continues his fantastic work over the last month. His K rate has dropped a bit from the beginning of the season. He still gets tons of grounders which help ease the tension of all the hits he gives up. You could make an argument he has been getting a bit lucky this season but I still like what he brings to the table.

Myrtle Beach 3, Winston-Salem 4

• L. Sumoza 1-4 HR(1), .245 Avg
• O. Marval 1-3 HR(1), 2 RBI, .214 Avg
• Z. Spruill 3.2IP 3H 2R 0BB 4K 9.00 ERA

Zeke Spruill continues his comeback trail tonight with some small successes. Sure he gave up a couple of runs but he didn't walk anyone and he did strike out a batter an inning. I still believe in Spruill's ability but we have to wait and see if he can get his attitude straightened out. Luis Sumoza's hot streak has gotten him a promotion to third in the batting order the last two games. He still isn't walking a ton and his strike outs are high but he is making solid contact with some power lately. If he can put his tools together we would have a nice surprise when making up our post season prospect lists.

Charleston 4, Rome 10

• R. Flores 3-5 3B, 2 RBI, CS(1), .231 Avg
• J. Kreke 2-5 2 2B, RBI, .252 Avg
• E. Salcedo 3-4 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, .269 Avg
• S. Kent 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 4K 1.23 ERA

Edward Salcedo has taken a couple of lumps since being promoted to Rome but he busted out the stick tonight with a fantastic game. He does have 8 hits in Rome so far with 4 of those going for extra bases. Steve Kent has now pitched 7.1 innings with 15 Ks since debuting this year though he did miss a couple weeks due to an injury. I've always liked Kent even though we haven't seen a whole lot from him and he is finally getting the experience he never had before and that left handed stuff is starting to show up in games.

Burlington 4, Danville 2

• J. Leonard 1-3 BB, .360 Avg
• E. Gattis 2-4 .352 Avg
• A. Simmons 2-4 2 RBI, K, .212 Avg
• C. Perez 1.2IP 0H 0R 1BB 1K 0.48 ERA
• T. Stovall 3.1IP 2H 2R 2BB 3K 2.16 ERA

I'm not really sure why Carlos Perez left tonight's game but I really hope it was because he got bored with the lack of competition for him in the Appalachian League. Oh yeah, this game had a rain delay in the second inning. Andrelton Simmons is doing his best to get his bat going with 4 hits in the last two games (after just 7 in the first 12 games). Braves pitchers did strike out 11 batters in this game but they also walked 8 while only giving up 5 hits.

GCL Braves 3, GCL Pirates 4

• W. Beckwith 2-3 2B, RBI, BB, .286 Avg
• I. Marin 2-2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, .263 Avg

William Beckwith was the Braves 21st rd draft pick out of George Wallace Community College in Alabama. Right now he has an .888 OPS with the GCL Braves and has a 6/6 K/BB rate while leading the team in XBH and he is just 19 years old. Obviously it is a little early to be getting excited but the Braves love to mine these Southern community colleges in the late rounds, especially the ones in Alabama where the level of competition is actually pretty good. Put him on your watch lists.

GCL Pirates 1, GCL Braves 3

• W. Beckwith 1-3 HR(2), .256 Avg
• E. Sanchez 1-2 HR(1), BB, .318 Avg

I am telling you guys there are a slew of interesting bats in our lower minors right now. I don't know how legit many of them are but I can't help but be a little excited after the dearth we have had in recent years. Edison Sanchez is quickly becoming one of my favorites but obviously the usual caveats about young hitters in the GCL apply.

DSL Braves 4, DSL Blue Jays 5 - 14 Innings

• G. Reyes 2-3 SB(12), .293 Avg
• H. Garcia 2-5 HR(1), 2 RBI, SB(10), .265 Avg

Man I bet this was a long game in that Dominican heat. Probably felt more like 14 days.