Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Box Score, No-Hitter, Kevin Maitan
By Jeff Schafer
Braves expected to land ‘big fish’ Maitan on Saturday
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: July 2nd folks! We need Kevin Maitain to sign with the Atlanta Braves. He would be a huge asset to the organization. The young kid looks like he has it all and we would love to watch him grow in OUR organization
"After the Braves’ front-office overhaul in October 2014, the team’s head honchos said that scouting and signing international free agents would be emphasized far more than it had been in recent years. They hired a few high-profile international scouts to head up the department and make sure they did it right, led by Gordon Blakeley, lured away from the Yankees after signing a slew of top international players over the years including Robinson Cano, Orlando Hernandez and Jose Contreras.On Saturday, that Braves emphasis will fully come to fruition when the Braves are expected to spend as much and perhaps more than any other other major league franchise on a handful of top free agents from the international free-agent signing pool. Most are 16- and 17-year-olds from the talent-rich Dominican Republic and Venezuela, led by Kevin Maitan, the consensus No. 1 prospect of the bunch and a player whom Baseball America called the best international amateur prospect since Miguel Santo signed with the Twins in 2009.Maitain, a Venezuelan, turned 16 in February and is already big and strong (6-2, 175), with no weaknesses in his game according to those who’ve scouted him the most – and there have been plenty, considering this kid has had the attention of major league teams since he was 13. Yes, 13."
G-Braves’ No-Hitter Sinks Louisville, 3-0
Tomahawk Tak Editor’s Note: The Gwinnett Braves pitching staff threw for a complete game no-hitter on Thursday night. If you look at the GBraves roster throughout the 2016 season, you would think they would have more than 36 wins in their first 81 games, but it’s got to be difficult with all the turnover from the Atlanta team. Outfielder Ronnier Mustelier been selected to the Triple-A All-Star Game which will take place on Wednesday, July 13 at BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"Rob Wooten, Matt Marksberry and Jose Ramirez etched their names into the Gwinnett Braves’ record books on Thursday night, combining to throw the second no-hitter in club history in a 3-0 win over the Louisville Bats (39-41) at Louisville Slugger Field.It’s the first no-hitter for the G-Braves (36-45) since right-hander Todd Redmond accomplished the feat over 9.0 innings on May 28, 2010, also at Louisville.SO to @RobWooten35 you Da real MVP! #michealjordanflugame #tarheelballin— Matt Marksberry (@SirLEFTYDuro) July 1, 2016I’m blushing https://t.co/oKn7Wxxxex— Matt Marksberry (@SirLEFTYDuro) July 1, 2016Wooten (W, 1-1), making just his second career start in spot duty, was nearly perfect in his 6.0 innings. The right-hander set a career high for both innings pitched and strikeouts as he fanned eight. He did not walk a batter and threw 45 of his 61 pitches for strikes. Fox Sports SouthBraves set stage for future of Ozzie Albies–Dansby Swanson partnershipTomahawk Take Editor’s Note: News about our two top prospects – you’ve got to read this, especially if you didn’t catch the news yesterday. Albies and Swanson will play together with the Mississippi Braves for the time being. Braves General Manager John Coppolella told reporters yesterday that this won’t slow their progress down and he just wanted them to play together. He also said the Braves could call the two up to Gwinnett at any time or to Atlanta at any time. Keep your eyes out for more news, because this is something to get excited about!One of the biggest debates surrounding the duo of Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson — beyond when they’ll actually arrive in Atlanta — was seemingly answered Thursday as they teamed up with Double-A Mississippi.Swanson will play shortstop, with Albies at second base, providing some clarity — at least for now — with how the Braves plan to handle the positional futures of two players who entered the organization at shortstop.“I think if you’re seeing where Dansby’s at shortstop and we have Ozzie at second right now and we’re going to go that way for the time being, that probably lends a nod toward going that way (in the majors),” said Braves general manager John Coppolella. “There isn’t anything set in stone. If we were to call them up right now, that’s the way it would be because that’s the way we’re doing it in the farm system.” SO to @RobWooten35 you Da real MVP! #michealjordanflugame #tarheelballin— Matt Marksberry (@SirLEFTYDuro) July 1, 2016I’m blushing https://t.co/oKn7Wxxxex— Matt Marksberry (@SirLEFTYDuro) July 1, 2016One of the biggest debates surrounding the duo of Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson — beyond when they’ll actually arrive in Atlanta — was seemingly answered Thursday as they teamed up with Double-A Mississippi.Swanson will play shortstop, with Albies at second base, providing some clarity — at least for now — with how the Braves plan to handle the positional futures of two players who entered the organization at shortstop.“I think if you’re seeing where Dansby’s at shortstop and we have Ozzie at second right now and we’re going to go that way for the time being, that probably lends a nod toward going that way (in the majors),” said Braves general manager John Coppolella. “There isn’t anything set in stone. If we were to call them up right now, that’s the way it would be because that’s the way we’re doing it in the farm system.”"