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:
AUGUSTA:
The Greenjackets ended their 14-game losing streak when they and Charleston were finally able to play baseball after three consecutive rainouts to start the series, winning game 1 of a Friday doubleheader. Unfortunately that was the only game they won and they have started a new 4-game losing streak as the team’s offensive malaise continues. They will return home this week to face the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.
Augusta only amassed 17 hits and 5 runs over the five games. The line-up has nearly completely been turned over in the last two weeks, and the many rainouts may have something to do with no one really being able to find a groove, as only outfielder Isaiah Drake and first baseman Will Verdung are regulars to began the season with Augusta. Infielder Colby Jones, this year’s 13th-round pick who was assigned to Augusta last Sunday, has been the only new player to find any succs at the plate, going 4-for-10 on the week with a stolen base and a double, Augusta’s only extra-base hit this week.
For the second time this season, which has consisted of five appearances, right-hander JR Ritchie posted 5 hitless innings in a start, though this time he was awarded a loss for his efforts as he gave up an unearned run leading to a 0-1 loss on Saturday. There were several pro debuts this week, including undrafted free agent Jacob Gomez tossing 2 scoreless innings in relief and picking up Friday’s streak-busting win. Right-hander Didier Fuentes looked strong in a start in the second game of the Friday doubleheader, but had to leave the game in the 3rd with what appeared to be a blister issue.
ROME:
Rome travelled to Greensboro this week and split the six games with the SAL North Division first-place Grasshoppers, hopefully a sign of better play from the Emperors as they head to the playoffs. Rome has gone 15-25 in the second half and is in last place in the South division, 11 games back of Bowling Green who will almost certainly be Rome’s first-round opponent in the opening round of the SAL playoffs next month. Rome will be home this week to take on the Asheville Tourists.
Rome got two stand-out pitching performances this week. On Wednesday, right-hander Jhancarlos Lara tossed 6 hitless innings, only allowing 1 baserunner via walk, and striking out a career-tying 12 batters, leading the squad to a 4-1 win. In the second game of a Saturday doubleheader, left-hander Mitch Farris allowed only 1 hit and 1 walk in 7 scoreless innings, also striking out 12, a career high.
Rome would end up losing that game in extras however, as they could only muster 3 hits and 1 run with a now Ethan Workinger-less line-up after a Thursday promotion for the outfielder to AA Mississippi. Kade Kern was promoted from low-A Augusta to take his spot and he did a credible job, going 4-for-14 in four games, including a double and a homer. Rome in general took advantage of getting out of their big home park and slugged 7 homers total this week, 2 by outfielder Jace Grady. On the flipside, after a fast start to the season infielder E.J. Exposito has gone ice cold at the plate over the second half, going .173/.250/.287 since June 15 and only tallying 1 hit last week.
MISSISSIPPI:
The Mississippi Braves had a rough week in the second week of their homestand, this time facing the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. The offense no-showed for most of the series as they scored just twelve runs over the first five games in dropping four of them but rebounded in a big way on Sunday as they busted out for ten runs in a victory. The M-Braves now head out on a short bus ride down Highway 49 to face the Biloxi Shuckers for six games.
Mississippi’s starting pitching was mostly good this week but couldn’t produce wins due to the lack of offense. Darius Vines made his season debut for Mississippi and tossed 5.1 innings of two-run ball although he did not strike out anyone and walked four. Lucas Braun had a tremendous start on Thursday as he threw 7.2 scoreless innings, giving up just five hits while striking out eight and not walking anyone. Drue Hackenberg followed that up on Friday in giving up just one run over six innings although he took the loss. Ian Mejia continued his rough stretch in giving up five earned runs over four innings with nine baserunners and two home runs allowed. David Fletcher got the bookend starts this week and vastly different starts, at that. On Tuesday, Fletcher was bludgeoned for six runs and fourteen hits in five innings but he rebounded in a big way on Sunday as he gave up just one run on three hits on Sunday in earning the win.
A lot of the bullpen arms were roughed up this week but there were a couple of big standouts in Jonathan Hughes, who threw five perfect innings over two outings while striking out six, and Rolddy Munoz, whose only blip in three games and 2.2 innings was a hit batsman.
For the offense, 1B Bryson Horne went 6-for-21 with two doubles and six RBI while Yolbert Sanchez had four multi-hit games during an 8-for-18 week. Catcher Tyler Tolve was 4-for-11 with two doubles and two RBI and newcomer Ethan Workinger was 2-for-17. DH David McCabe’s bat started to show signs of life as he went 3-for-15 with a home run and three RBI, his first double-A homer.
GWINNETT:
The Gwinnett Stripers took to the road this week to face the Memphis Redbirds, which was highlighted by the rehab assignment of outfielder Michael Harris. The Stripers dropped four out of the six games, mainly due to losing three one-run games. Gwinnett (53-61) now returns home for a series against the Norfolk Tides.
The starting pitching did not give much length again this week as only Ian Anderson went more than four innings during his Friday night start (6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HR) Anderson threw 94 pitches and showed that he is close to contributing at the major-league level. Allan Winans got the Tuesday start and was uncharacteristically knocked around as he gave up four runs and nine hits over four innings. Huascar Ynoa performed well in his Thursday start in allowing just one hit and striking out four in three innings but was later returned from his rehab assignment due to shoulder issues. Hurston Waldrep wasn’t efficient in his Saturday start with nine baserunners in four innings but allowed just one runner to cross home. AJ Smith-Shawver wrapped up the week on Sunday with a rough outing in which he gave up four runs in just 3.2 innings and throwing 92 pitches.
Tommy Doyle was a highlight in the bullpen as he tossed 3.1 scoreless innings over two outings. Dylan Lee contributed three scoreless innings over two outings with four strikeouts while Domingo Gonzalez got into three games, giving up a run over four innings with seven strikeouts. Brooks Wilson and Jimmy Herget each added a multi-inning scoreless outing during the series. Ken Giles had a week he’d like to forget as he was roughed up for seven runs in two outings while retiring just one batter and giving up three home runs.
Outfielder Michael Harris played in all six games this week during his rehab assignment and performed well with three multi-hit games in going 10-for-23 with a home run and two RBI (.435/.500/.565). 1B Yuli Gurriel also had three multi-hit games during a 7-for-16 week with a double, two home runs, and six RBI (.438/.500/.875). Shortstop Nacho Alvarez had a tough week as he went just 2-for-20 with three walks. Andrew Velazquez continued his fine season with a 6-for-16 week with two home runs and two stolen bases (.375/.375/.750). Catcher Drake Baldwin went 4-for-11 with a double and five walks (.364/.563/.455).
POSITION PLAYER of the WEEK:
PITCHER of the WEEK:
Transaction Round-Up
- 8/5/2024: RHP Reynaldo López placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to August 2 (right forearm inflammation); RHP Bryce Elder recalled from AAA Gwinnett
After several days of indicating López wouldn’t need an IL stint, the Braves finally let discretion be the better part of valor and put him on the IL. Elder’s second start against the Brewers in two weeks went poorly.
- 8/5/2024: LHPs Cam Caminiti, Carter Holton, and Herick Hernandez; RHPs Luke Sinnard and Ethan Bagwell; and C Nick Montgomery assigned to FCL Braves
A paperwork move given the FCL Braves season is officially over, though they are no doubt playing unofficial games in the so-called “Tricky League” that typically runs when the complexes aren’t keeping score anymore.
- 8/6/2024: OF Skye Bolt released by AAA Gwinnett
The former Oakland Athletic only appeared in 39 games for the Stripers due to injuries and the outfield logjam at the level. He hit .236/.339/.349.
- 8/7/2024: LHP Dylan Dodd recalled from AAA Gwinnett; RHP Bryce Elder optioned to AAA Gwinnett
Dodd was brought up to provide bullpen length. He got into his first major league game since October 1, 2023, allowing 2 runs in 2 innings.
- 8/7/2024: IF Luke Waddell placed on the 7-day injured list for AAA Gwinnett; LHP Brian Moran activated from the developmental list
Waddell has hit .239/.315/.649 this season for the Stripers while mostly starting at second base. The performance and now this injury isn’t helping his bid at becoming a major league bench option.
- 8/7/2024: LHP Luis De Avila placed on the 7-day injured list for AA Mississippi
De Avila has been workhorse for the M-Braves the last two seasons so this could be a tough loss depending on how long De Avila is out. He had pitched to a 2.31 ERA over his last 8 starts dating back to mid-June.
- 8/7/2024: LHP Riley Frey activated from the 7-day injured list for A+ Rome
The lefty swingman last pitched on June 22.
- 8/7/2024: RHP Davis Polo placed on the 7-day injured list for A Augusta
The development of the 19-year-old Polo has been a bright spot for the Greenjackets this season.
- 8/8/2024: RHP Parker Dunshee selected from AAA Gwinnett; OF Eli White recalled from AAA Gwinnett; LHP Dylan Dodd optioned to AAA Gwinnett; OF Eddie Rosario designated for assignment
Needing another arm, the Braves selected the contract of 7-year minor league veteran Dunshee, who had been pitching well in Gwinnett this season after signing with the organization in the off-season as a minor league free agent. To make room on the 40-man roster the Braves designated 2021 hero Eddie Rosario to assignment.
Dunshee didn’t have long to wait, getting into the game that evening. It started out well as he struck out the in the 4th inning, but with the score already 8-3 Brewers, he had to wear a five-spot the next inning.
- 8/8/2024: OF Justin Dean assigned to AAA Gwinnett from AA Mississippi; OF Ethan Workinger assigned to AA Mississippi from A+ Rome; OF Kade Kern assigned to A+ Rome from A Augusta; OF Isaiah Drake activated from the 7-day injured list for A Augusta
The elevation of Eli White to Atlanta was the first of several outfield dominoes to fall. Drake will share centerfield with fellow prospect Luis Guanipa in Augusta, Kern and Dean will join an outfield rotation in Rome and Gwinnett respectively, and Workinger should be the starting left fielder for Rome the rest of the way.
- 8/9/2024: LHP Zach Logue recalled from AAA Gwinnett; RHP Parker Dunshee optioned to AAA Gwinnett
Another minor league free agent signing, Logue is still waiting for his Atlanta Braves debut, though he probably didn’t mind not pitching in Colorado.
- 8/9/2024: IFs Johan Ferreira an Samil De La Rosa signed to minor league contract and assigned to DSL Braves
The Braves will take a look at these two late signees in the last few weeks of the DSL season.
- 8/10/2024: OF Eddie Rosario sent outright to AAA Gwinnett
- 8/11/2024: OF Eddie Rosario elected free agency
Rosario will remain available to major league teams needing an outfielder down the stretch
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