William Beckwith's Three Homers Power Danville's Offense, Pastornicky Injures Leg in Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap

by yondaime4 on Aug 14, 2011 10:51 PM EDT in Braves Minor League Recaps

The rain affected a couple of games tonight but it didn't stop William Beckwith from exploding in Burlington. Gwinnett didn't look good in their game against Matt Fox and Mississippi got shut down against a top draft pick from this year's draft. Rome did deliver some power in place of the Lynchburg game getting cancelled.

Pawtucket Red Sox 5, Gwinnett Braves 0

J. J. Hoover 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 8.22 ERA

The G-Braves got shut down by journeyman Matt Fox in this one. Fox went the distance and allowed just two hits and one walk while throwing just 99 pitches. Brandon Hicks picked up one of the hits when he replaced Tyler Pastornicky who left the game in the sixth inning with a leg injury.

Mississippi Braves 4, Mobile BayBears 5

Mycal Jones, CF 1-4, BB, K, SB(9), .239 Avg
Dan Nelson, 3B 3-4, 2B, RBI, SB(2), .329 Avg
Cory Harrilchak, RF 2-4, 3B, RBI, 2 K, .248 Avg

The M-Braves went up against Trevor Bauer - the third pick from this year's draft and possessor of nasty stuff - in his first appearance in AA. Bauer is on the fast track after pitching just two games in A ball before making the jump. Luckily for the Braves Arizona is still stretching him out because he shut them down for five innings while striking out eight. Their luck didn't last however as Benino Pruneda allowed the winning run to score when he made an error on a pickoff allowing the runner to advance from first to third. He later scored on a single.

Lynchburg Hillcats @ Wilmington BlueRocks

This one was cancelled due to rain.

Rome Braves 8, Greenville Drive 4

Matt Weaver, SS 2-4, 2B, 3B, BB, K, .297 Avg
Tommy La Stella, 2B 2-4, HR(5), 2 RBI, .262 Avg
Evan Gattis, C 3-4, HR(19), 2 RBI, K, .309 Avg
Robby Hefflinger, LF 2-4, HR(8), 2 RBI, K, .266 Avg

The impressive part about the Braves offensive outburst in this game is that four of the nine hitters went hitless, but when the guys that are hitting are hitting for power it doesn't matter as much. Matt Weaver is finally starting to add a little power to his game as he has now equaled his July extra base hit total in about half the at bats in August. Robby Hefflinger has always been a guy that looks like he should hit for power but it has never come through in games. He has three homers in his last ten games but he still isn't hitting many doubles either. Evan Gattis would lead the league in SLG and OPS if he qualified.

Danville Braves 10, Burlington Royals 2 - 7 Innings

Nick Ahmed, SS 3-3, HR(4), 2 RBI, BB, SB(15), .267 Avg
Brandon Drury, 2B 3-5, 2B, RBI, .351 Avg
William Beckwith, DH 3-3, 3 HR(11), 5 RBI, BB, .299 Avg
Chase Larsson, LF-CF 2-4, 2B, K, .239 Avg

William Beckwith has been on a tear over the past week but tonight he put up the line of any Braves hitter this season. He was up to bat for the fifth time in the eighth inning when the game was called because of rain. Drury had another great night as well and has raised his average 25 points in the last 10 games and has 11 hits in his last four games.

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Comments

Wow, what a night for Beckwith!

Dude can flat out rake, and he can draw a walk as well! Those attributes do not show up very often in this system.

The previously mentioned Beckwith along with Larsson, Lipka, Salcy, Beth, Drury, Marte, LaStella, and Ahmed makes the Braves youngest group of hitters look extremely promising, and these kids are going to be very intriguing to watch next year after each respective player gets some more polishing done.

Also, does anyone know the seriousness of Pastornicky’s injury??? I’m praying for it not to be bad, best of wishes to the youngster.

Last note, I really hope Hoover shines in the pen at Gwinn., so us fans can get to see him later this year. He should be fun to watch.

Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep.

by chicagobullies on Aug 15, 2011 12:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Wasn't @ the game

but Pastornicky left after a stolen base. I’m guessing he got spiked – hurts like h3ll, but generally not long term serious (knock on wood).

by theatlfan on Aug 15, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Article on Beckwith here.

by fandave on Aug 15, 2011 5:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Also, would it be outta the question to see

Bauer as a late call-up, as a bullpen arm, if they are still in the race?

I mean heck the kids already in AA, shuttting the only hitters down as if they were DSL players.

I realize he will most likely only make it to AAA, at the highest, but a call up could be possible, maybe??

I’ve only seen some highlights on the kid, but wow he has got some rare stuff.

He could use some seasoning, but even now, with HIS filthy pitches, he really looks like he could do fairly well if he did get the call up.

He’s def. going to be one to look out for, and all I can say is thank God he’s not going to be in our division.

Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep.

by chicagobullies on Aug 15, 2011 12:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I'd imagine it's very possible

There’s a reason that ARI and Bauer agreed much earlier than many of the rest of the high 1st round picks. ARI is ready to put him in the rotation as soon as he shows that MiLB is beneath him. He blazed through A-ball (17 K, 4 BB, 9 IP) and already looks as though AA may be beneath him as well. Don’t know if they’ll let him start immediately in the bigs or break him in as a RP, but ARI won’t hesitate to give him the call if they think he’s ready.

by theatlfan on Aug 15, 2011 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Larsson will be a breakot candidate in 2012

I have high hopes for Chase, Terdoslavich, and Milligan next season. At their ages/advancement, its time to start moving up.

Freeman isn’t on Heyward’s level in terms of tools, skills, or baseball IQ–but it’s fair to say Freeman has failed to meet the modest expectations in place for him - Capitol Avenue Club (May 28th, 2011)

by ATLandUNC on Aug 15, 2011 12:30 AM EDT reply actions

Does anyone know what the injury or illness issue is with Adam Milligan? He was DLed and missed two weeks in late June – early July, came back for 4 games, and was then DLed again on July 20th.

by fandave on Aug 15, 2011 5:46 AM EDT up reply actions