Welcome to the Braves Farm Report! Every Monday we take a look back at the previous week in the Braves minor league system, recapping the week’s action, spotlighting top performers, analyzing rosters and transactions, and sometimes answering questions or doing deep dives into Braves prospects.
Weekly Round-Up
COMPLEX LEAGUES:
The FCL Braves fared even more poorly, only going 1-5 on the week, including a doubleheader sweep against the Rays. But the main story from North Port was the rehab start of right-hander Ian Anderson, who looked good in his first appearance since tearing his UCL in April of last season. Anderson mowed through 6 batters in his 2 inning start on Tuesday, striking out 4. The second biggest story was another rehab assignment, this time by prospect JR Ritchie, who had his own 2 inning start as he also works his way back from a UCL tear. He allowed one hit but otherwise was untouched. Outfielders John Estevez and Luis Guanipa were strong at the dish, going 4-for-12 and 4-for-11 respectively. Infielder John Gil knocked in 5 runs on the week, 4 of them coming on a grand slam.
AUGUSTA:
ROME:
Hackenberg was exceptionally good on Tuesday in a game that brought Rome within a game of clinching. He went 7 innings, allowing 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 7. He was followed in the rotation by Luis Vargas, who started Wednesday’s clincher, allowing 3 runs in 5.1 innings. Braun pitched the hangover game on Thursday, allowing 6 runs in 5.1 innings. Rome got help in the form of Atlanta lefty A.J. Minter, who pitched 1 inning in a rehab start on Saturday, striking out the side and allowing an unearned run on one hit.
Outfielder Stephen Paolini had a nice week at the plate, going 5-for-13 with a double and a triple. Catcher Adam Zebrowski only had 3 hits on the week, but one was a 9th-inning walk-off solo bomb on Tuesday.
MISSISSIPPI:
The Mississippi Braves continued their impromptu long road trip this week with a visit to Kodak, TN to take on the Tennessee Smokies. After dropping the first three games primarily due to a lack of offense, the M-Braves rebounded to take two of the final three games of the series. Mississippi finishes the first half at 31-37 and now returns home to take on the Montgomery Biscuits to open the second half.
Starting pitching was a struggle this week as only Drew Parrish (5.1 IP, 3 ER on Thursday), Luis De Avila (5 IP, 2 ER on Friday) and David Fletcher (6 IP, 1 ER on Saturday) put up competitive starts. De Avila now has a 2.25 ERA over his last five starts. Mitch Farris made his first start for Mississippi on Tuesday and lasted just three innings as he gave up four runs including two home runs. Ian Mejia had a rare poor start as he lasted just 4.1 innings on Wednesday while giving up four runs.
Domingo Gonzalez had a tremendous week once again as he struck out all six batters he faced over two outings with a save. Gonzalez now has six straight scoreless appearances covering 7.1 innings where he has allowed just two hits and no walks while striking out sixteen. Landon Harper tossed five scoreless innings over two innings including three innings leading off a bullpen game on Sunday. Hayden Harris and Jorge Juan each had two scoreless appearances as well.
The Mississippi offense was led this week by OF/2B Geraldo Quintero, who went 9-for-18 with a double, triple, home run, three RBI, and five stolen bases (.500/.550/.833) as well as a 5-for-5 game on Sunday. Outfielder Cody Milligan was 7-for-20 with three doubles and two stolen bases (.350/.381/.500). Outfielder Bryson Worrell and 1B-DH Javier Valdes did not get much playing time this week but made the most of what time they had. Worrell went 2-for-8 in two games with two home runs and five RBI while Valdes went 3-for-10 over three games with two solo home runs and a walk.
GWINNETT:
The Gwinnett Stripers finished off the first half of their season this week with a trip to Charlotte to face the Knights. The Stripers dropped five of the six games to the Knights and finished the first half with a 35-40 record and now return home to face off against the Memphis Redbirds.
Gwinnett starting pitching efforts were a mixed bag this week as Allan Winans started off the week strong with seven innings on Tuesday in which he gave up just one earned run while striking out eight although Gwinnett lost the game in extra innings. Darius Vines had a quality start to put a positive mark on a subpar season with six innings of three-run baseball on Friday while Dylan Dodd gave up just two runs over five innings on Saturday with seven strikeouts in what was the only victory for the Stripers this week. Bryce Elder’s stretch of great starts ended on Thursday as he was roughed up early and lasted just four innings while giving up six runs while allowing eleven baserunners. Ken Giles was the only Gwinnett reliever to emerge unscathed this week as he tossed 1.2 innings of perfect ball over two outings.
Gwinnett’s offense was once again buoyed by recently arrived shortstop Nacho Alvarez and catcher Drake Baldwin. Alvarez went 7-for-25 with two doubles, a home run, two stolen bases, and three RBI (.280/.379/.480) while Baldwin was 6-for-24 with a double, home run, and six RBI (.250/.333/.417). Luke Williams wet just 5-for-18 but the five hits included three doubles and two home runs (.278/.381/.778). Luke Waddell, who is now alternating between second and third base with the arrival of Alvarez, hit safely in all six games and went 9-for-21 with a home run and two RBI (.429/.500/.571). Waddell is now hitting .344 with a .933 OPS over his last seventeen games. Outfielder J.P. Martinez made his first appearances after being optioned from Atlanta and did not fare well as he went 1-for-18 during the week with twelve strikeouts, including two four-strikeout games.
POSITION PLAYER of the WEEK:
PITCHER of the WEEK:
Transaction Round-Up
- 6/17/2024: OF Forrest Wall recalled from AAA Gwinnett; OF J.P. Martinez optioned to AAA Gwinnett
Wall was riding a 7-game hitting streak when he was recalled. With Adam Duvall‘s struggles against right-handed pitching not improving, Wall could get more than expected playing time with Atlanta.
- 6/17/2024: RHP Daysbel Hernandez recalled from AAA Gwinnett; RHP Hurston Waldrep placed on the 15-day injured list (right elbow inflammation)
Waldrep had been informed that he was going to be optioned to Gwinnett before he disclosed that his elbow wasn’t rebounding well from his previous start. In both of his Atlanta starts Waldrep did well in his first time through the order, but lost command in the second time through and hitters could wait on a fastball to hit. His ceiling remains high and he should have a good idea what adjustments he’ll need to make in order for his next call-up to last longer.
- 6/18/2024: LHP Mitch Farris assigned to AA Mississippi from A+ Rome
It was a short stay in Rome for Farris, who has shown himself to be a capable and versatile swingman. He may have the opportunity to spend more than a few turns in the M-Braves rotation given the season-ending injury to right-hander JJ Niekro.
- LHP Rolando Gutierrez assigned to FCL Braves from A Augusta.
Gutierrez was promoted to Augusta in mid-May to fill in some innings and promptly got hurt. He goes back to the FCL, possibly to stretch out to start.
- IF Keshawn Ogans placed on the 7-day injured list for AA Mississippi; OF Bryson Worrell assigned to AA Mississippi from A Augusta
Worrell seems to be the designated position player gunslinger this year, going to whichever team needs an extra bench bat.
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