Minor League Update: Braves’ Organizational SWEEP!
By Ryan Cothran
Shae Simmons is knocking on the door. Will Frank Wren let him in?
BRAVES WIN!
AAA BRAVES WIN!
AA BRAVES WIN!
A+ HILLCATS WIN!
A-BRAVES WIN!
Yes, that’s right folks! It took all of 5 regular season Major League games and 3 Minor League games for the baseball gods to align the stars and provide us with the 1st organizational sweep of the year. Yup! Every single Braves’ affiliate took home a “W” last night. In honor of this once in a lifetime achievement (not really, but it makes it sound so lovely, right?), here are the top performers of the week from around our Minor League system!
Rome Braves, Top Performers of the Week
Victor Reyes– (OF)- 4 for 10, all singles, with a triple slash line of .400/.500/.400, Reyes is probably 1 of the 2 most exciting offensive prospects at Rome. However, as he projects to be a corner OF, his power will have to show up soon. Keep an eye on this one…look for POWAH!
Johan Camargo (SS)- 5 for 12 with a triple slash line of .417/.462/.417, Johan is someone to watch out for in our low-Minors. While he’s not likely to stick at shortstop and is error-prone, his athleticism provides some promise. He took a step back last year as a 19-year old so this could be his make or break year in Rome as a 20-year old.
Joey Meneses (OF/1B)- 4 for 10, 1 HR, 1 double and a triple slash line of .400/.538/.800, Joey played the professional baseball of his life! As you can see by the position, Joey is one of those guys who doesn’t seem to have a defensive home. At 22 years of age in Low-A ball, don’t read too much into this week and let’s just congratulate Joey for playing great baseball!
Chuck Buchanan (SP/RP?)- 5 IP, 5K, 0R, 1.00 WHIP 0.00 ERA. A college reliever who sat out a year with an elbow injury, the Braves look to be giving Chuck a chance to start. At 6’5 220 lbs, this lefty doesn’t have anything to grow into and, if he continues to find success, could move up the organizational ladder quickly. This seems like another example of the Braves willingness to draft players with elbow uncertainties prior to entering the organization and may help explain the TJ outbreak in the organization. Give Chuck 4-5 starts, but if he continues to succeed, he’ll be in Lynchburg before you know it.
Lynchburg Hillcats, Top Performers of the Week
Levi Hyams (2b)- 4 for 7, all singles, Levi had a good week for Lynchburg. As a college player who hasn’t found much success in his first 3 years of pro-ball, let’s leave it at that and give Levi an ATTABOY!
Daniel Castro (2b/SS)- 5 for 10, all singles, Daniel has been in and out of the Braves organization over the past few years. Listed as a 2b/SS this year, Daniel seems destined to live in the world of Minor League Utility infielders. High-5 for a great week!
Kyle Wren (CF)- .429 OBP, 1 stolen base. Different year, same results. Get on base, steal base, score run. Keep a close eye on Kyle this year, and keep in mind that he’ll have to develop his power a bit to catch on at the highest level.
Jose Peraza (2b/SS)- .357 OBP. Interesting. The Braves have seemingly moved Peraza to 2nd base this year, which is indeed breaking news and is telling of the organization’s plans for the kid. Same rule applies for Peraza as Wren; needs to develop some power this year. Watch him closely!
Mauricio Cabrera (SP)- 2.25 ERA, 5K, 5H, 1BB in 4IP. Easily the most projectable pitcher in the organization outside Lucas Sims, Cabrera’s first outing limited walks which was his Achilles’ heel last year. The stuff is there…oh yes, it’s there. Watch him with both eyes, as often as you can spare them.
Mississippi Braves Top Performers of the Week
Seth Loman (1b)- 1.167 OPS! Our newest Quad-A player Loman continues to mash baseballs, but will likely be a Minor league lifer no matter what organization he’s in. Great week, though!
Gustavo Nunez (UI)- 5 for 11 with a triple. As a 26-year old journeyman, not much to get excited about here, but he did have a splendid 3 games!
Jason Hursh (SP)- 4 IP, 2 H, 2BB 1 K. Made the jump to AA and did it quite nicely in his first start, Jason has to start striking out more hitters in order to be successful. If he can find his swing and miss pitch, look for Jason to continue moving up the organizational ladder quickly and put his name in the hat for the Major League roster as soon as the end of this year.
Shae Simmons (RP)- 2 IP, 1 H, 3K, 0BB, 0.00 ERA. In my opinion, Shae should have gotten a longer look in Spring Training. He’s been purely dominant since being drafted and unlike the other RH options (Jaime/L.Vasquez), can throw strikes on a regular basis. In my opinion, he’s the future setup man for Kimbrel. Look for him to get the call this year should our RH relievers fail to produce (or when Beato shows his true colors).
Williams Perez (SP)- 4 IP, 2BB, 2H, 1ER, 4K, 2.25 ERA. Baseball America was pretty high on this guy at the end of last year and thinks he turned a curve. Keep an eye on this Venezuelan!
Gwinnett Braves Top Performers of the Week
Mark Hamilton (1b/DH/OF)- 1.625 OPS. Exciting numbers but let’s leave it at that Good job, Mark!
Tommy La Stella (2b)- .364/.462 /.455 triple slash line, Tommy can flat out hit. Keep eyes, nose, and ears on this cat, especially if Uggla starts to go south.
Ernesto Mejia (1b)- 4HR in 3 Games, and a god-like 1.916 OPS! When he doesn’t miss them, Mejia can destroy baseballs! By far, the best stat-line of any player in the organization, regardless of level. Great week, Ernesto the Besto!
Joey Terdoslavich (OF)- .845 OPS. Joey continues to hit and has nothing to prove at AAA. I hope he gets his chance somewhere.
Hector Daniel Rodriguez (SP)- 5 IP, 9K, 1 ER 0.60 WHIP. Once upon a time, HDR was considered a steal out of the Mexican League, but control problems was his downfall. If he continues to pitch well, he could be a LH option for the bullpen.