(Ed note: Minor league baseball is here! We thought we’d take some time to pull together some facts for fans that may want to try one of the Braves minor league affiliates, especially with the new low-A team in Augusta, Georgia. And since no one at Outfield Fly Rule has actually been to the park at Augusta, we’ve called in a reliever: David Lee, founder and writer of the Atlanta Braves Prospects substack and one of the of best prospect writers around. The majority of this article originally saw publication on his website, and he has kindly given permission for us to repost it. If you have any interest in the Braves farm system, be sure to subscribe to his website and follow him on twitter @David11Lee.)
A Augusta
I was born and raised in Augusta, and the town will always be a home for me. The old GreenJackets park, Lake Olmstead Stadium, is where I gained my love for baseball, spending countless summer nights there watching prospects, first as a Pirates affiliate, then Red Sox and most recently Giants. It’s also where I developed my scouting eye. My first job out of college was covering the GreenJackets for the local newspaper, so I spent my summer nights sitting with scouts and talking to coaches, instructors and players. Having that sort of access on a nightly basis was invaluable and is the reason this newsletter exists.
Being the baseball writer also meant covering the GreenJackets’ efforts to build a new ballpark and development. I was there from the first city council meeting unveiling the idea, to wearing a hard hat and walking around the site while under construction, to opening night and beyond. Their ownership and staff put in tremendous amounts of work to see the dream fulfilled, and it turned out beautifully.
Stadium
Address: 187 Railroad Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
SRP Park is on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River in North Augusta, sitting on the banks of the river with downtown Augusta on the other side. The main bridge linking the two sides is just beyond the batter’s eye in center field, and the river runs just beyond right field.
The field was cut out with San Francisco’s park in mind, because the GreenJackets were still affiliated with the Giants at the time. Left and right fields are straightforward, center is fairly neutral and right-center is deep. The wind is blocked in left by a large building comprising the team clubhouses, business space and apartments. The wind will blow in or out in right, but it takes a shot to get out regardless, especially as you get deeper into right-center. The hardest-hit ball I’ve seen at the park so far came from Drew Waters, who barreled it at 111 mph and drove it on a line over the right field fence, bouncing down the river bank to the water.
There is one lower bowl of seating ranging from padded seats and tables behind home plate (typically season ticket holders) to normal field level seating to a grass berm in the left field corner. The upper level contains indoor/outdoor suites that companies typically purchase. The concourse runs 360 degrees around the field so fans can watch the game from literally every angle if they want to walk or stand. There’s a second level in right field where fans can stand with a beer to watch the game from above, with views of the river and downtown Augusta behind them.
Food
The GreenJackets have implemented local and regional favorites in their food and beer selections. Aside from the typical ballpark concessions, they mix in pimento cheese and barbecue in different ways. SweetWater has a heavy presence as well. An attached barbecue restaurant in the right field corner has two levels with an upstairs bar and tons of SweetWater choices. Southbound Smokehouse is a personal favorite of mine and is recommended. Also, the team did a great job on its rebranding when it moved into the new park. The store at the park is roomy and has a good selection.
Tickets
Club seats behind the plate and dugout seats are $15, reserved seats are $10, and general admission seats are $9. Each of these tickets are $1 cheaper if purchased ahead of time. Parking at the nearby parking deck is $5. You and up to 32 of your friends can also reserve a luxury suite for $1000 ($1200 on fireworks night).
Parking at the nearby deck is $5.
The Area
Outside, the surrounding development includes a good Mexican restaurant with outdoor seating and an upscale restaurant inside the Crowne Plaza next door. The hotel also has a rooftop bar with great views. Otherwise, the development is largely home to apartments. If you’re looking to kill time before a game and don’t want to eat or drink, the development is walkable with a path by the river and an amphitheater. There are garages for parking. Traffic in and out of the development is a breeze on slow nights, but bring a little patience on packed weekends if you’re trying to get out immediately after a game.
Outside the development, North Augusta is largely residential. To find places to eat and drink, your best bet is across the river. Downtown Augusta has several good places to do both. There are notable spots sprinkled around Augusta, too, if you do your research. If you want specific recommendations, feel free to reach out on Twitter.
And yes, what people say about the heat is true. Summer nights in Augusta are brutally humid. And I’ve been to almost every major town in the South.
Coaching Staff
Michael Saunders will make his managerial debut with Augusta after being hired by the Braves to manage the 2020 Danville Braves that ended up not playing a game. Saunders was a 9-year major league veteran with Seattle, Toronto, and Philadelphia and was an All-Star for Toronto in 2016.
Like Saunders, Mike Bard joined the Braves organization for the 2020 season that never was. Bard was supposed to work at low-A Rome for his first season as hitting coach, but will instead work for low-A Augusta. Bard has spent time as an NCAA Division 1 coach at Kansas, Texas Tech, Texas at Arlington, and Dallas Baptist as well as a private hitting instructor. In 2007, Bard was the Assistant Hitting Coach for the Colorado Rockies.
Pitching coach Elvin Nina was a 9-year minor league veteran in the A’s, Angels, Dodgers, Royals, and Diamondback systems before joining the Brewers organization as a pitching coach for the rookie league Helena Brewers in 2009. He last coached for the GCL Pirates in 2015-19.
Myles Schroder was an 8-year minor league veteran in the Giants organization, and will be Augusta’s bench coach in his first coaching assignment.
The Players
Tyler Owens is the draw on the pitching staff as an arm-strength guy who could be a fireballing reliever down the road. Vaughn Grissom is the intriguing power/athleticism guy currently playing shortstop but likely moving to third. Stephen Paolini is the highest pick on the team as a raw, toolsy, up-the-middle athlete.
Joey Estes and Roddery Munoz are intriguing sleepers with stuff. Alex Barger and Justin Yeager are arm-strength guys. Cam Shepherd has a strong shortstop glove. Brandon Parker has generated some buzz as a JUCO performer with offensive tools. Willie Carter has present power and big bat speed. Darius Vines has gotten some love for stuff that plays up.
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