Atlanta Braves Minor League Monday, August 3

Mar 5, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Joey Terdoslavich (25) grounds out with the bases loaded in the fourth inning and drives in a run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Brighthouse Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves Minor League Monday

To start the week, we’ll review the transactions of the last week:
Promoted to Atlanta: P Jake Brigham, P Mark Marksberry, P Mike Foltynewicz
Assigned to Gwinnett: 3B Hector Olivera
Demoted to Gwinnett: P David Carpenter, P Ryan Kelly
Promoted to Gwinnett: IF Luis Mateo, P Hunter Cervenka, P Mitch Lambson, P Victor Mateo
Assigned to Mississippi: P Zack Bird, P Josh Outman
Activated from DL to Mississippi: IF Emerson Landoni, P Ryne Harper, P Jorge Reyes
Promoted to Danville: 3B Austin Riley, P Mike Soroka
Demoted to GCL: P Franklin Azuaje
Released: Mississippi P Mark Lamm

Highlight Player of the Week:

Third baseman Austin Riley was promoted during the week to Danville from the GCL. Riley was the 41st pick this year in the June draft, selected with a competitive balance selection that the Atlanta Braves acquired in a trade. Riley’s a southern boy, hailing from DeSoto Central high school in Southaven, Mississippi. Riley was the prototypical “bad body” in scouting evaluations. He’s listed as 6’2, 220 pounds, and I’d probably put that at closer to 6’0 1/2″ and 240ish from my first views of him.

Riley had a lot of intrigue, but many teams were scared off for two reasons – first, his body style, second, his indecision whether to commit to hitting or pitching. The Braves drafted Riley to hit, and after a slow start in GCL, he’s exploded with the bat. He was promoted to Danville for the weekend, and his bat has not slowed down at all. His defense is average at best at third base (though Sunday’s defensive display may bring even “average” into question), but he absolutely has the arm to play in an outfield spot if he needs to move off of third base long-term, but I would bet that the Braves give him every chance at third before moving him.

Let’s look at the weekend’s games!

Next: Gwinnett Braves Report