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House That Hank Built
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The Atlanta Braves Opening Morning Chop

By Alan Carpenter

Apr 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view of Turner Field before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view of Turner Field before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher John Gant (67) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher John Gant (67) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Savannah native John Gant makes Atlanta Braves’ opening day roster

STAFF REPORT / SAVANNAHNOW.COM

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Savannah native John Gant, a rookie right-handed pitcher, has made the Atlanta Braves’ opening day roster.

Gant, who has never pitched above Double-A, impressed in five spring training games with a 3.18 ERA, four earned runs, two walks and 10 strikeouts over 11 1/3 innings.

A starter in the minor leagues, Gant, 23, is projected to be a long reliever out of the bullpen.

Gant was drafted in 2011 by the New York Mets in the 21st round (642nd overall) out of Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel, Florida.

Born and raised in Savannah until moving to Florida around age 11, Gant returned to his hometown in 2014 to pitch for the Sand Gnats of the Class A South Atlantic League. He was a late addition to the midseason All-Star Game and was named the league’s top right-handed pitcher at the season’s conclusion after going 11-5 in 21 starts with a 2.56 ERA, 40 walks and 114 strikeouts in 123 innings.

He played in 2015 for the Mets’ High A and Double-A affiliates before being dealt to the Atlanta organization in July as part of a four-player trade. He pitched for the Double-A Mississippi Braves.

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Atlanta opens Monday at home against the Washington Nationals.

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[Jhoulys] Chacin will be put on the roster in time to start April 12 at Washington, manager Fredi Gonzalez said.Chacin, who is coming off a couple of injury-interrupted seasons with the Rockies, appeared to have finished spring training as Atlanta’s No. 4 starter.

The Braves determined that the right-hander’s nonroster status, plus two scheduled off-days in the first week of the season, made it more sensible to farm him out for the first turn of the rotation.

Next: Rosterbation Guessing Results

“Last year was kind of my recovery year. I pitched a lot, but my velocity wasn’t there and my pitches were hollow. I just threw,” Chacin said. “My fastball is getting better and I think I can get back to where I threw two or three years ago.”

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