I posted this, but didn't write it. Shashank is our minor league beat writer. Sorry about the lateness, but we're still trying to get all the logistics figured out. This column will normally be a Wednesday column. Without further adieu, a trip around the Braves organization:
Since this is the inaugural Minor League Roundup, I thought I’d include some background info so you’ll know what the format will be like. Each week, there will be a short description of each team’s week along with a Who’s Hot, Who’s Not type update. Here’s hoping you will become weekly readers!
AAA: The Richmond Braves went just 2-5 over the past week, including a four game losing streak. They have now dropped to 2 GB of the International South leading Durham Bulls.
Who’s Hot: Not many guys hit well this past week, but both Brayan Pena and Gregor Blanco hit .333 while Pena also added a homer and 4 RBI. Joey Devine and Zach Schreiber have pitched well in relief, with Devine striking out seven in four innings of work.
Who’s Not: Brandon Jones and Brent Lillibridge had down weeks, but both have solid numbers overall on the season, with Jones hitting .311 and Lillibridge hitting .296. Look for them both to be in Atlanta come the start of the 2008 season. The rotation in general had a bad week, with the exception of Jeff Bennett. Pitching prospect Dan Smith got hammered, allowing five runs in four and two-thirds. He’s struggled since being moved up.
Notes: Pitcher Kevin Barry went on the DL. Martin Prado was named an International League All-Star for his performance during the ’07 season.
AA: The Mississippi Braves went 3-4 this past week, not a bad week in what has been an interesting season record-wise. The Braves won the division in the first half but sit in last place in the second half. Overall, the Braves are in 4th, 13 games back of the division leading Jacksonville Suns.
Who’s Hot: A guy who’s dropped off the radar , J.C Holt, has hit .367 with multi-hit games in his past three. Prospect Van Pope is finally showing signs of life, with a .304 average and a homer this past week in an otherwise forgettable season (he’s hitting .223).
Who’s Not: Kala Kaaihue is 1 for 22 in his last seven games. He has really struggled since being called up from Myrtle Beach, where he hit .298 with 22 homers. The main problem has been strikeouts… he’s struck out 50 times in just 29 games. These are troubling signs for a Braves fan, especially when you consider that Kaaihue’s our ticket to a team without Scott Thorman.
Notes: Reliever Kevin Gunderson has just been called up to Mississippi. He has tossed two scoreless innings, allowing five hits. After being lights out in Rome and Myrtle Beach, righty Kris Medlen was called up and promptly gave up three earned runs in a third of an inning. Not exactly an inspiring start.
High-A: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans have gone 0-8 (make-up games included) over the last week. They currently sit last in the Carolina South at 59-75.
Who’s Hot: Ouch. That’s all you can say. OF Jordan Schafer hit .346 with a homer and 2B Diory Hernandez hit .360 with a couple of stolen bases, but that’s all the production the Pelicans could muster up.
Who’s Not: Everybody else. Literally. Eric Campbell takes the cake, though. Due to insubordination (Rotowire), Eric Campbell has been suspended for the rest of the season. I don’t understand what’s going on. This is the second time he’s been suspended, and this suspension just adds icing to an already disappointing season. Maybe the Braves should adopt a three strike policy with him…one more suspension and he’s gone. Any suggestions?
Notes: Pitcher Tommy Hanson has been called up for Rome, and he has struggled with his control. Despite his 6’6” height, he’s more of a control pitcher, but he is racking up some strikeouts as well.
Low-A: The Rome Braves have gone 4-3 this week. They sit in fifth at 35-30 (tough league) and 6.5 games back of the Columbus Catfish. Minor league team names are excellent
Who’s Hot: RF Jon Owings hit a couple homers, but again, not many quality prospects here. I guess that’s what happens when you trade your farm for one player. I do like Teixeira, by the way, we just gave up too much. Starter Jamie Richmond pitched six solid innings in his last start, giving up just one earned run and striking out six. He’s got a 3.56 ERA on the season.
Who’s Not: Can I say Eric Campbell again? No? Well, beyond Richmond, there’s not much here in terms of potential, so maybe saying the Rome Braves overall would be appropriate. I guess 2007 draft pick Brandon Hicks, a shortstop, whose bad week hasn’t put a damper on his overall average, which is .311.
Rookie: Danville has gone 4-3 this week. They’re in first place at 48-20 and have clinched their division. The playoffs start in about a week.
Who’s Hot: First round draft picks Jason Heyward and Cody Johnson lead the list. Heyward is hitting a solid .333 since his call up, while Johnson may deserve a whole new category for himself: Who’s Really Hot? Johnson hit .320 this week and added three homers to his league-leading total. His 17 homers in 62 games leads the league by seven. Jeff Locke has been on fire as well, going six and two-thirds with 11 K’s in his last outing. His record’s up to 7-1. Steve Evarts improved to 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA when he threw five scoreless with seven K’s in his last appearance
Who’s Not: 2007 draft pick Dennis Dixon hasn’t hit well. He has only gotten ten at-bats, though.
Short-season rookie: The GCL Braves finished with a 2-3 record in a miserable season overall. They have finished their season at 17-43, 25.5 games behind the GCL Yankees (as much as I hate to say it).
Who Finished Hot: Samuel Sime finished with five homers, the lone bright spot on a weak offense. Eric Barrett finished with a 1.36 ERA
Who Finished Not: Prospect Cory Rasmus took a beating, ending with an 8.59 ERA.
Well, that’s it for this week. Hope you enjoyed it and don’t worry, they will be shorter from here on out.
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