Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: News and Notes from Braves Country

Lots of activity in Braves Country this weekend… in case you missed it, here’s a recap of the weekend’s news.

The Atlanta Braves fell to Washington in the finale of their series… coming oh-so-close with a 3-2 loss to Stephen Strasburg, despite an excellent outing by Jaime Garcia.

In the end, it was a matter of not getting into the Nats beleaguered bullpen (again) soon enough… and 2 straight fielding miscues early on.

The quote of the day came from Dusty Baker about rookie Dansby Swanson:  “He’s probably the toughest .201 hitter in the league”.

Hey, that’s now a .207-hitting Dansby Swanson there, skip!

Kris Medlen

When we heard about this signing at the beginning of the year, my initial thought was “that’s cool – a nice gesture on the Braves’ part.”

However, there was a lot more going on here… this is a serious comeback attempt.

Medlen, who once threw to a 1.57 ERA in 2012 over 138 innings, had Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow in 2014 near the end of Spring training and had been struggling with his comeback ever since.

On Saturday evening, he donned the uniform of the High-A Florida Fire Frogs and was brilliant:  one hit allowed over six innings, walking 3 and striking out 3.

No word yet on his future schedule – and there’s still a ways to go – but if this keeps up, Meds could be in the majors by the All-Star break.

Gwinnett Braves plan to change team name for 2018 season, ask for fans help in naming contest

WILL HAMMOCK / GWINNETT DAILY POST

The Gwinnett Braves soon will have a new name, one the baseball club hopes will be reflective of its home county.

After years of pondering the move, general manager North Johnson and the Braves will announce a Name the Team contest to allow G-Braves fans and community members to determine what the Atlanta Braves’ Class AAA minor-league franchise will be called for the 2018 season and beyond. Fans will be able to vote beginning Monday on the team’s website, and submissions are open until 5 p.m. June 2.

[ ED. NOTES:

We first told you about this on Sunday morning, but this is a little bit more on the subject, which is admittedly a bit surprising to see happening.

First off, here’s the link to their name contest.  I will also tell you that I have submitted PEACHES and BLUEBERRIES as my own entries… though I’m probably not officially entered since I’m from Alabama.  Oh well.

Honestly, though, if Chip Carey were ever to mention the Gwinnett Peaches on air, things could get ugly quick:

“Well, there are ducks on the pond here in the 6th, and that has put the Peaches in a jam as they try to cobble-r a way to protect this slim 3-2 lead.”

Of course a mascot named ‘Melba’ would be hard to resist.

The stated reason for the name change is for an identity separation from the parent club in Atlanta.  Among the discussion, there a claim in the article above that people had been known to hold Gwinnett Braves tickets and yet show up at Turner Field.

People like this should probably be rooting for the Mets.

Then again, maybe they were Mets fans and a Braves’ backer sold them the tix.  Okay. ]

Transactions

• RECALLED (PROMOTED):  Luke Jackson
• OPTIONED:  Johan Camargo
• TRADED:  Juan Yepez to St. Louis for Matt Adams
• TRADED:  Cash Considerations to Arizona for Enrique Burgos
• DISABLED:  Eric O’Flaherty (lower back strain; 10-day DL)
• DISABLED MORE:  Chaz Roe moved onto the 60-day DL; lat strain

Here’s Your Sunday Box Score

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Next: Minor Leagues News Review Here

THIS WEEK:  PIRATES (20-24, W2, 6-4 in last 10) for 4 games, then GIANTS for 3 on the road (19-26, L1, but 7-3 IN LAST 10)