Welcome to the Braves Farm Report, where we will take a look at the Braves farm system and look at trends and players that seem interesting, and give first hand accounts of what we’re seeing down on the farm.
Weekly Round-Up
COMPLEX LEAGUES:
The DSL Braves went 2-4 over the last week and now stand with a 12-30 overall record. The team ERA is currently 6.65, third highest in the league while offensively the team is roughly middle of the pack. That said, there’s always bright spots to find, and this week it was outfielder John Estevez, who hit .429 with a double and a homer.
Last week saw the first-year players Cam Magee, Kade Kern, Jace Grady, Drew Compton, and Jacob Godman bumped up to Augusta, but the FCL Braves continued their hot streak, going 4-2 and getting their season record over .500 at 23-21. This week it was the pitching carrying the team, with righty Rolando Gutierrez leading the way with a 5-inning, 2-hit, 1-run start in which he struck out 6 and picked up a win. A number of first-year pitchers made their pro debuts to mostly good results:
- LHP Mitch Farris, 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
- LHP Riley Frey, 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO (GS)
- RHP Riley Gowens, 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 SO
- RHP Zack Austin, 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 SO
- RHP Shay Schanaman, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO
- RHP Justin Long, 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SO
AUGUSTA:
Augusta hosted the Columbia Fireflies last week, dropping 4 of the 6 games and falling to 16-20 in the second half, now in 5th place in the division and 7 games back of frontrunning Charleston. They will now take a two-week trip through central Virginia, making stops at first Salem then Fredericksburg.
The big news of the week was the assignment of 2023 first-round pick Hurston Waldrep to the team. He made his pro debut in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday, going 3 innings (50 pitches). He ended up striking out 8 of the 13 batters he faced with 16 swinging strikes. He threw his complete repertoire of 4-seam fastball (sitting mid-90s), with a good slider and mixing in but not featuring the fabled split-finger change-up and curveball. He ended up surrendering 1 run on a walk and 3 hits to set the Jackets up for a 5-4 win.
Augusta got a number of other strong starts in the series, including from last year’s 1st-rounder Owen Murphy. In 5 innings he struck out 9 and allowed only 1 run on 3 hits, avoiding the big inning that had stymied his most recent three starts. Righty Luis Vargas provided a quality start with 6.1 shutout innings while 2023 6th-rounder Lucas Braun made his pro debut on Sunday, shutting out the Fireflies in 3 innings.
Infielder Cory Acton continued his recent hot streak, hitting .308 on the week with 2 doubles and 6 walks. Since July 7, Acton has hit .309/.373/397, essentially demanding a spot in the everyday line-up. Infielder Cam Magee split time at third and shortstop and hit his first professional home run on Friday. Former Georgia Tech Yellowjacket Drew Compton made his Greenjacket debut and went 4-for-13 with two doubles.
ROME:
Rome completed their North Carolina road trip by splitting the six-game series at Greenville to run their second-half record to 16-20, in fourth place in the SAL South and 9.5 games back for Hickory. They return home today to take on Winston-Salem.
Right-hander Ian Mejia delivered his best start of the season last Tuesday, going 7 innings and only allowing 1 run on 3 hits and striking out 8 without allowing a walk, the only damage coming on a solo homer. This snapped a streak of four starts allowing 4 or more earned runs for Mejia. Righty Daniel Martinez also righted the ship after a rough start against Asheville, allowing a run on 3 hits in 5 innings, striking out 7 and walking none. Otherwise the rest of the starting pitchers had a tough time of it, including spot starter J.J. Niekro who allowed 3 runs in 2 innings in his first starting assignment since May 14. Rob Griswold continued to be a bright spot in the bullpen, only allowing 1 hit and no runs in 3 innings over two appearances; Griswold now has a streak of 9 outings without allowing a run and has held opposing batters to a .196/.213/.217 batting line during that time.
Several R-Braves had their hitting shoes on however, starting with third baseman David McCabe who went 8-for-22 on the week with 4 doubles, a homer, and 2 stolen bases; McCabe now is nursing an 8-game hitting streak. Infielder Keshawn Ogans went 8-for-20 with a homer of his own. Outfielder Ethan Workinger entered the series batting .224 for Rome since his late May promotion and raised his average 33 points after batting .400 while knocking in 8 runs.
MISSISSIPPI:
The Mississippi Braves concluded their two-week homestand this week against the Montgomery Biscuits. Mainly due to a lack of offense, the M-Braves dropped four out of the seven games in the series. The M-Braves will carry over a 13-20 second-half record into a road series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas beginning on Tuesday.
Mississippi’s starting pitching performed well this week, recording a 2.43 ERA over 33.1 innings. Tyler Owens got the bookend starts for the week and, due to his limited pitch count, pitched just seven innings but gave up just two runs on eight hits. The M-Braves got quality starts out of Nolan Kingham (6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) and Luis De Avila (6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K) while Hayden Deal tossed four scoreless innings to open a bullpen game.
Scott Blewitt led the way for the bullpen this week as he threw five scoreless innings over two appearances, allowing just two baserunners while striking out five. Kyle Wilcox was the only other M-Brave bullpen arm to record multiple scoreless outings, giving up just one hit and two walks over 3.2 innings.
1B-DH Drew Lugbauer had an absolute monster week with both a two-home run and a three-home run game, the later the first ever by any player in the history of Mississippi’s TrustMark Park. Lugbauer finished the week by going 9-for-24 with a double, five home runs, eight RBI, four walks, and a .375/.464/1.042 batting line, good enough to be our OFR Position Player of the Week. Catcher Tyler Tolve had three multi-hit games during a .348/.375/.391 week. Outfielder Jesse Franklin went just 5-for-23 with a stolen base, home run, and five RBI (.217/.280/.348). Infielder Cal Conley went 8-for-25 with two doubles and two stolen bases (.320/.370/.400). Outfielder Drew Campbell hit safely in all five of his games as he went 8-for-17 with a double, an HBP, two walks, and two stolen bases (.471/.550/.529).
Among the offensive contributors, Cody Milligan went 6-for-19 with three doubles, a triple, and two stolen bases (.316/.350/.579). Luke Waddell hit safely in all five of his games as he went 6-for-18 with a double and three walks (.333/.429/.389). Outfielder Jesse Franklin went 5-for-18 with a double, two stolen bases, three walks, an HBP, and three RBI (.278/.409/.333).
GWINNETT:
The Gwinnett Stripers returned home this week to take on the Indianapolis Indians. After dropping two of the first three games, Gwinnett won the final two to earn a series victory. The Stripers now take a 48-58 record onto a two-week road trip through North Carolina, beginning in Charlotte against the Knights.
The Stripers rotation received three solid starts this week: Darius Vines scattered seven baserunners in tossing 5.1 scoreless innings on Tuesday, Michael Soroka gave up just one run over five innings on Friday although he allowed eight baserunners, and Allan Winans had another tremendous start on Saturday in which he gave up just one run over seven innings while striking out ten, earning our OFR Pitcher of the Week honors. Jared Shuster gave up five runs in six innings on Wednesday as well as eleven hits. Dylan Dodd followed that up the next day with three runs given up over three innings.
Seth Elledge led the way for the bullpen again this week with three scoreless innings over two appearances. Mike Morin and Grant Holmes each had two scoreless outings and Dylan Lee had a 1-2-3 innings in his first rehab appearance on Saturday.
Braden Shewmake was 5-for-18 on the week with a double, triple, two stolen bases, and five RBI (.278/.316/.444). Vaughn Grissom also went 5-for-18 and contributed a double and four walks (.278/.500/.333). Outfielder Sam Hillard began his rehab assignment with Gwinnett by going 4-for-13 with three walks and two RBI.
POSITION PLAYER of the WEEK:
PITCHER of the WEEK:
Transaction Round-Up
- 7/31/2023: LHP A.J. Minter activated from the 15-day injured list; RHP AJ Smith-Shawver optioned to AAA Gwinnett; IF Charlie Culberson designated for assignment
Minter is a key cog to the bullpen and was sorely missed. After a rough May, he has only given up 3 earned runs since then. Culberson was designated to make room for recent acquisition Nicky Lopez on the bench. As before, he would be re-signed to a minor league deal.
- 7/31/2023: RHP Rowan Wick released by AAA Gwinnett
Was it something I said? Wick was released three days after signing a minor league deal without making an appearance for the Stripers. He was quickly picked up by the AAA Buffalo Bison of the Blue Jays system.
- 7/31/2023: OF Pier-Olivier Boucher assigned to FCL Braves; 1B/C Leonel Callez released by FCL Braves
The 10th-round pick in the 2023 major league draft get his first taste of the pros.
Callez was a mid-season minor league free agent signing last year and filled in at catcher and first. He only has appeared in 10 games this season, and hit .188/.316/.375 with 1 homer.
- 8/1/2023: Traded RHP Alec Barger to the Colorado Rockies for LHP Brad Hand; RHP Peyton Williams assigned to AA Mississippi from A+ Rome
Hand is a 33-year-old veteran reliever with postseason experience who adds another left-handed weapon that should complement eventually returning southpaw Dylan Lee. Hand compiled a 4.54 ERA with Colorado (3.72 in road games).
Barger joins fellow Mississippi Braves Tanner Gordon and Victor Vodnik to the Hartford Yard Goats, the AA squad for Colorado, Gordon and Vodnik traded the week before for Pierce Johnson. Barger has a solid fastball/slider combo and was having a strong season for the M-Braves. Williams moves up from Rome to replace Barger.
- 8/1/2023: LHP Nick Margevicius assigned to AA Mississppi from AAA Gwinnett; RHP Beau Burrows placed on developmental list for AAA Gwinnett
- 8/2/2023: LHP Dylan Dodd activated from the 7-day injured list for AAA Gwinnett
Shuffling pitchers after the trade deadline, in this case to make room for Dylan Dodd coming off the IL.
- 8/2/2023: LHP Brad Hand activated; RHP Daysbel Hernandez placed on the 15-day injured list (right forearm inflammation)
After dazzling in his major league debut on June 23, striking out the side against the Brewers, Hernandez has struggled in his three subsequent appearances.
- 8/1/2023: RHP Enderson Garcia released by DSL Braves
The 19-year-old Garcia failed to impress in only two outings.
- 8/2/2023: RHP Ben Heller optioned to AAA Gwinnett
- 8/4/2023: LHP Max Fried activated from the 60-day injured list
Fried came off the mat and fired his best start of the season, striking out 8 Cubs in 6 innings and only allowing 3 hits.
Heller had been a solid contributor since his call-up, and he carried a 2.57 ERA in 14 innings before a bad outing on July 28 in Milwaukee caused it to balloon up to 4.40.
- 8/2/2023: RHP Ronaldo Alesandro, C/OF Andrew Keck, and OF Bryson Worrell assigned to A+ Rome from A Augusta; SS Francisco Floyd assigned to FCL Braves from A Augusta; OF Jeremy Celedonio placed on the developmental list for A Augusta; 1B Eliezel Stevens released by A Augusta
Shuffling to clear room at Augusta for new players. For Alesandro, this is a return to Rome after initially being assigned there on Opening Day. He put his time in Augusta to good use, pitching to a 1.93 ERA in 13 appearances out of the bullpen. Keck has been mostly a designated hitter but has seen a little time behind the dish and in the outfield. Worrell hit .209/.326/.378 in 56 games with the Greenjackets but shows a good power/speed tool mix.
Floyd only hit .189/.310/.305 in part-time duty with Augusta, but is a solid glove at all three infield skill positions.
In his first taste of full-season ball, Celedonio has demonstrated a lot of power and a lot of swing-and-miss. While he’s put 15 home runs over the fence, he is only hitting .187 and has struck out 140 times in 78 games.
Stevens has been in the Braves organization since 2018 playing mostly second base, but had been relegated to mostly back-up first baseman for first Rome then Augusta this season.
- 8/2/2023: SS Cam Magee, OFs Jace Grady and Kade Kern, C Jacob Godman, and 1B Drew Compton assigned to A Augusta from FCL Braves; RHPs Hurston Waldrep, Lucas Braun, and Cory Wall assigned to A+ Augusta
The Braves take the wraps off 2023 1st-rounder Waldrep, 6th-rounder Braun, and 8th-rounder Wall while the first wave of position players get moved up, including non-drafted catcher Godman.
- 8/3/2023: RHP Justin Long assigned to FCL Braves
- 8/4/2023: RHPs Zack Austin, Shay Schanaman, Riley Gowens, Ryan Bourassa and LHPs Riley Frey and Mitch Farris assigned to FCL Braves
Most of the rest of the pitching class from the 2023 draft plus non-drafted pitchers Schanaman and Bourassa get their first pro assignments.
- 8/4/2023: IF Charlie Culberson signed to a minor league contract, assigned to AAA Gwinnett
As before when he was designated, Culberson is quickly welcomed back to the organization and keeps the same basic commute to work
- 8/4/2023: RHP Jesus Rodriguez activated from the 60-day injured list for DSL Braves
Rodriguez is part of the 2023 signing class, but his pro debut was delayed by injury.
- 8/7/2023: OF Brandol Mezquita released by A+ Rome
Mezquita just couldn’t get it going this season, in part to a series of injuries that kept him out of the line-up. He has since gotten passed on the depth chart by Ethan Workinger and Bryson Worrell up from Augusta while still battling against incumbent Rome outfielders Brandon Parker, Kadon Morton, and Stephen Paolini.
Mezquita however will always be the answer to the trivia question of which 2016 international signing class prospect whose contract was invalidated by MLB as part of the sanctions imposed for the John Coppolella scandal actually re-signed with the Atlanta Braves.
Your Moment of Zen
In case you missed it, Hurston Waldrep is NASTY.
Enjoy all 8 strikeouts from his professional debut on Saturday! pic.twitter.com/joIA0CBO5I
— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) August 7, 2023
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