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Couple of interesting prospects will play in Arizona Fall League for Atlanta Braves

By Clint Manry

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 29: Store worker Jens is checking outside the "Overkill" sneakers store on March 29, 2017 in Berlin, Germany, if all the potential new KAWS x Air Jordan IV sneakers buyers are there. Several dozen die-hard sneakers fans have taken five days out of their lives to put their names on a list and maintain their presence in order to buy the limited-production shoes, 50 pairs of which will go on sale on March 31 at Overkill, one of only three stores in Germany to sell the shoes. At EUR 350 a pair the shoes carry a hefty price tag, but many of the buyers will resell them, for prices they predict could reach EUR 4,000. Sportswear companies like Adidas and Nike have hired famous designers for limited-production sneakers as the appetite for the shoes by sneakers fanatics has grown into a niche market over the last few years. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 29: Store worker Jens is checking outside the "Overkill" sneakers store on March 29, 2017 in Berlin, Germany, if all the potential new KAWS x Air Jordan IV sneakers buyers are there. Several dozen die-hard sneakers fans have taken five days out of their lives to put their names on a list and maintain their presence in order to buy the limited-production shoes, 50 pairs of which will go on sale on March 31 at Overkill, one of only three stores in Germany to sell the shoes. At EUR 350 a pair the shoes carry a hefty price tag, but many of the buyers will resell them, for prices they predict could reach EUR 4,000. Sportswear companies like Adidas and Nike have hired famous designers for limited-production sneakers as the appetite for the shoes by sneakers fanatics has grown into a niche market over the last few years. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves will send several lower-level prospects to the Arizona Fall League this year to try and gauge their future in the system.

Founded in 1992, the Arizona Fall League features an August draft-like selection that acquires many of the top prospects in minor league baseball. For seven Atlanta Braves prospects, their 2019 baseball season isn’t quite finished yet.

On Wednesday, the six-team Arizona Fall League released its 35-man rosters, featuring seven players from each major league organization.

The chosen few from the Atlanta Braves organization are an interesting group. Here are the Atlanta Braves’ selections that will play for the 2019 AZL Scottsdale Scorpions:

  • RHP, Daysbel Hernandez
  • RHP, Connor Johnstone
  • RHP, Bradley Roney
  • RHP, Brandon S. White
  • 3B, Greyson Jenista
  • OF, Justin Dean
  • OF, Trey Harris
  • OF, Garrison Schwartz

Also representing the Atlanta Braves organization is Danville’s hitting coach, Danny Santiesteban, who will be tasked with the same duties for the Scorpions.

For the players, participating in this fall league is a privilege, not to mention an opportune time to continue working on various aspects of their game. Also, major league scouts and even executives will routinely attend these games, giving organizations an extra month of live-play in which to assess their young talent.

Playing in this league usually means you’re doing something right as a prospect.

So let’s go through each selected Braves’ player and review their 2019 season. Why were they chosen?

RHP, Daysbel Hernandez

High-A, Florida Fire Frogs

The ace of the Florida bullpen, Hernandez has not only repeated his 2018 performance but has been even better this year.

In 34 relief appearances, the 22-year-old from Cuba has struck out 69 batters in 52.1 innings-pitched (11.91 K/9), while preventing runs at an elite level (1.72 ERA).

What’s crazy is that Hernandez has been even better than that recently — 1.42 ERA and 17 strikeouts in his last 10 appearances (12.2 IP).

RHP, Connor Johnstone

Double-A, Mississippi Braves

A 21st round pick by the Braves in 2017, the former Wake Forest pitcher has been moved aggressively throughout his stint in the organization (he pitched in Gwinnett in just his second pro season).

As a result, Johnstone has taken his lumps, but while pitching predominantly in Mississippi this season (12.2 IP in AAA), the 24-year-old has maintained a 4.43 ERA and has given up just 5 home runs in 85.1 innings of work.

RHP, Bradley Roney

Double-A, Mississippi Braves

Like Hernandez above, Roney racks up strikeouts, currently running a K-rate of 12.5 punchouts per nine in 37.2 innings-pitched between Florida and Mississippi. Roney has been in the organization for a while now (currently his fifth season) and has been impressive from day one, with a 3.30 career ERA.

RHP, Brandon S. White

High-A, Florida Fire Frogs

Yes, White is the guy who squandered Ian Anderson’s and Justin Kelly’s combined no-hitter last season while with the Fire Frogs, but to his defense, he coughed up the no-no in the 12th inning.

White has redeemed himself in 2019, pitching beautifully for Florida (he’s made one appearance for Mississippi this season). The 24-year-old has a minuscule 1.35 ERA in 53.1 total innings-pitched.

3B, Greyson Jenista

Double-A, Mississippi Braves

I’m not going to sugarcoat it, this season Jenista struggled in 56 games with Florida to begin the year and has struggled in 70 games so far with Mississippi. With an almost identical amount of at-bats at each level, Jenista just hasn’t gotten it going yet.

  • 202 ABs in Florida:         .223 BA, 34.6 K%
  • 212 ABs in Mississippi: . 236 BA, 33.4 K%

OF, Justin Dean

Single-A, Rome Braves

Why Dean is still in Rome, I have no idea, but he’s having himself an awesome 2019 campaign. In 108 games so far, the 17th rounder (2018) is hitting .285 (.818 OPS) with 9 homers and 9 doubles. Oh yeah, he’s 45-for-55 in stolen base attempts as well, good for an 81.8% success rate. Not too shabby.

OF, Trey Harris

Double-A, Mississippi Braves

Harris’ 2019 season has been well documented, not to mention he’s referenced in Ben Lindbergh’s recently-released book The MVP Machine (awesome book by the way!).

Just last season, Harris was in Danville after being selected in the 17th round by the Braves. Fast-forward to now, and Harris is in Mississippi having the season of his life, hitting .324 with 14 home runs and 25 doubles with 72 RBI. This is the most deserving Braves’ AZL selection.

OF, Garrison Schwartz

High-A, Florida Fire Frogs

Dealing with some injuries this season, Schwartz has struggled mightily to the tune of a .198/.287/.264 slash-line in 15 games with Mississippi and 54 games in Florida.

Even more disappointing, is that Schwartz struggled last season as well (.232 BA, 28.4 K%). Now 23-years-old, it’s a little concerning that he clearly hasn’t been able to hit since being promoted to full-season ball in 2017.

*All stats are through Wednesday. 

When does it all start?

The AZL will kick off on Wednesday, September 18 and will continue through October 25, followed by the Championship Game on October 26.

Next. September call-ups. dark

The Scorpions will start their fall season by playing the Mesa Solar Sox, a team made up of prospects from the Cubs, Indians, Tigers, Angels and Athletics.

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