Atlanta Braves Minor League Hotsheet: 8/16-8/22

I have to be honest. This was one of those weeks where I was doing the recaps each night but I wasn't totally paying attention to what I was doing most nights. The season is almost over and I am already looking at stuff to do for the offseason. If anyone has some ideas they would like to see tackled in the offseason leave a comment in one of the recaps or send CB or me an email.

Who's Hot?

1. Matt Young - 9-25 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 5BB, 7 SB - Everyone's favorite spark plug had one of the best all around weeks from any Braves farmhand this week. He did everything a leadoff hitter is supposed to do: put the ball in play, get on base and progress around the diamond by whatever means necessary. Young also received the International League's Player of the Week honors, which is nice, but not quite the same as TalkingChop Hotsheet #1. He will receive the paper-mâché trophy that I made for him later in the week.
   
2. Barrett Kleinknecht - 11-23 3 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2BB, 1K - Kleinknecht is a little old for the Appy leauge (as Danville players are wont to be) but he still raked this week to the tune of a .478 Avg. He hasn't flashed much over the fence power yet, but he has a bunch of doubles and good contact skills. I wouldn't be surprised to see him finish as high as AA next season.
3. Ryan Weber - 7IP 3H 2BB 5K - I wouldn't be surprised if you guys think I am little crazy to keep tossing Ryan Weber out there, but I love his sinker. He gets grounders like the Mets collect overpaid Latin American players. Don't be surprised if he gets more attention as the defenses behind him get better.
   
4. Brandon Beachy - 6IP 4H 1R 0BB 6K - Brandon Beachy didn't quite blow away hitters like he has in some past games but he was still very good. He has walked just 3 batters in his first 28 innings in Gwinnett to go along with 29K in 28 innings. That is a 253³:1 K:BB rate. Give or take. Beachy has catapulted himself into the Braves prospect picture and could be a useful arm in the majors as soon as next season.
   

Honorable Mention: Gwinnett - Freddie Freeman, Michael Dunn, Stephen Marek, Scott Diamond, Joe Thurston; Mississippi - Eric Duncan, Mauro Gomez; Myrtle Beach - Cody Johnson, Michael Jones, Cory Rasmus; Rome - Matt Weaver, Steve Kent, Christian Bethancourt, Willie Kempf; Danville - Elmer Reyes, Andrelton Simmons.

Who's Not?

1. Donell Linares - 2-16 1 RBI, 2BB - Linares started the season well enough and was even flashing a little more power than last season, but he has worn down as the year has worn on. He is hitting just .164 in August and has a .570 OPS since the All Star break. I had him tabbed as a sleeper pick at one point but no more.
   
2. Zeke Spruill - 12.1IP 15H 11R 7BB 6K - Spruill was looking really good there for a hot minute, but neither one of his starts this week was a step forward. Zeke doesn't have elite stuff so he must rely on his sinker and good command to get hitters out. When that doesn't happen you get starts like these.
   
3. J.J. Hoover - 4.2IP 7H 4R 5BB 7K - Now that I am looking at this start I am a little more impressed that he allowed just 4 runs considering the amount of men he allowed to reach base in this game. The transition to AA isn't easy and JJ doesn't have the same stuff that Julio has that allows him to reach back and blow good hitters away. He may take a little longer to get acclimated.
4. Brett Oberholtzer 4.1IP 11H 7R 0BB 4K - Since joining the Pelicans, Brett has been a much better reliever than starter. His ERA in relief appearances is 2.08 vs 5.40 starting. A lot of the damage as a starter has come in 2 games where he pitched a combined 8 innings, allowing 15 runs.
   

Dishonorable Mention: Gwinnett - Jose Ortegano, Craig Kimbrel; Mississippi - Julio Teheran, Tim Gustafson, Jacob Thompson, Richard Sullivan; Myrtle Beach - Matt Crim; Rome - Phil Gosselin, Kyle Rose, RSF, Chris Masters.