Atlanta Braves Minor League Weekend Wrap Up: June 20

Mar 18, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Reid Brignac (4) hits a RBI double during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Reid Brignac (4) hits a RBI double during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 18, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Reid Brignac (4) hits a RBI double during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Reid Brignac (4) hits a RBI double during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves Minor League Weekend Wrap Up

Transactions

6/16 – RHP Casey Kelly demoted from Atlanta to Gwinnett
6/16 – RHP Tyrell Jenkins promoted from Gwinnett to Atlanta
6/16 – RHP Raymar Navarro placed on DL by Carolina
6/17 – RHP Lucas Sims demoted from Gwinnett to Mississippi
6/17 – RHP Chris Ellis promoted from Mississippi to Gwinnett
6/17 – RHP Bladimir Matos demoted from Rome to Danville
6/17 – RHP Dalton Geekie promoted from Danville to Rome
6/18 – RHP Zachary Bird promoted from Danville to Carolina
6/18 – RHP Zach Quintana placed on DL by Carolina
6/18 – RHP Caleb Beech promoted from Rome to Carolina

Hitter of the weekDustin Peterson has been at the center of the Mississippi offensive revival in the last few weeks. He’s in the midst of an extended on-base streak and just had his 15-game hitting streak snapped this weekend. He hit .429/.516/.607 on the week with 6 runs, 2 doubles, a home run, 9 RBI, a steal, and a 4/3 BB/K.

Honorable mention: It was near impossible to pick between them, so I’m going to select both Joey Meneses and Joseph Odom of Carolina. The Mudcat teammates had a pair of tremendous weeks. Meneses went .419/.455/.645 with 7 runs, 4 doubles, a home run, 5 RBI, and a 1/4 BB/K. Odom went .385/.467/.769 with 7 runs, 2 doubles, a triple, 2 homers, 6 RBI, and a 3/5 BB/K.

Pitcher of the week – There were really only two guys in consideration for this award this week because both had tremendous two-start weeks, but I chose to go with Robert Whalen, who combined for 13 innings pitched without a single earned run (he did allow one earned run. He allowed 7 hits and 5 walks and struck out 12 as he established himself as Mississippi’s ace.

Honorable mention: My second guy in consideration is Touki Toussaint, and it was no easy feat to separate the two. Toussaint has been doing a masterful job since changing his approach to work lower in the zone and dial back his velocity a touch to attempt to use his natural movement to induce lots and lots of weak contact. This week was the pinnacle of what the Braves want to see from Touki as he combined for 14 innings pitched, 2 runs allowed (1 earned) on 8 hits and a single walk. He “only” struck out 9, but if he’s only walking 1 in 14 innings, I think the Braves would take that!

Next: Gwinnett Braves

May 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Casey Kelly (55) is unable to make the out on a bunt by Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Keon Broxton (not pictured) in the 13th inning of their game at Turner Field. The Brewers won 3-2 in 13 innings. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Casey Kelly (55) is unable to make the out on a bunt by Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Keon Broxton (not pictured) in the 13th inning of their game at Turner Field. The Brewers won 3-2 in 13 innings. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

AAA Gwinnett Braves (31-39)

Thursday

It took 11 innings, but Lehigh Valley again bested Gwinnett, this time by a 2-1 score on Thursday. Lucas Harrell got the start and pitched very well, going 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks, striking out 8. Ronnier Mustelier had two singles. Anthony Recker had a double and a walk. Matt Lipka had a single and a walk. Ozzie Albies hit a triple. Emilio Bonifacio stole a base.

Friday

Gwinnett’s offense scored 4 in the last two innings to seal a 7-1 victory over Scranton/WB on Friday. Manny Banuelos got the start and went 4 innings, allowing one unearned run on 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5. Daniel Castro had a double, a single, and a walk. Emilio Bonifacio had two singles, a walk, and a stolen base. Rio Ruiz had a single and two walks. Ozzie Albies had a single and a walk.

Saturday

Chris Ellis got shelled in his AAA debut, and Gwinnett lost Saturday 7-1. Ellis couldn’t get out of the 1st inning, throwing only 2/3 of an inning, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Rio Ruiz had two singles. Reid Brignac had two walks. Matt Lipka hit a triple.

Sunday

Gwinnett ended up on the short side of a 1-0 pitching gem on Sunday. Joel De La Cruz got the start, and he threw 7 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and a walk, striking out 2. No Braves hitter was on base twice in the game.

Leaders

BA: Sean Kazmar .281
OBP: Reid Brignac .381
HR: Matt Tuiasosopo 8
SB: Emilio Bonifacio 23
W: Lucas Harrell and Casey Kelly 2
SV: Bradley Roney and Jose Ramirez 2
SO: Joel De La Cruz 41
ERA: Casey Kelly 2.82

Video Highlights

None posted

Next: Mississippi Braves

Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits an rbi ground out during the first inning against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits an rbi ground out during the first inning against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

AA Mississippi Braves (34-35)

More from Tomahawk Take

Thursday

Mississippi jumped out quick to a 2-0 lead, but then couldn’t keep up as Birmingham took Thursday’s game 5-2. Victor Mateo got the start for the M-Braves and went 6 1/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks, striking out 4. Dustin Peterson was the only Brave on twice, with a single and a walk. Jake Schrader had a double.

Friday

Mississippi took Friday’s game from Birmingham 7-1. Jed Bradley got the start for the Braves and went 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and 3 walks, striking out 6. The M-Braves exploded for 16 hits on the game, led by Willians Astudillo with 4 singles. Mel Rojas had a home run and a single. Dansby Swanson had a double and a single. Dustin Peterson and Carlos Franco each had two singles. Dian Toscano had a single and a walk. Jake Schrader hit a home run.

Saturday

After scoring 2 in the top of the 9th to tie it, Mississippi fell to Birmingham in 10 innings, 3-2. Sean Newcomb had another tremendous start, going 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 5. Dustin Peterson snapped his hitting streak, but he did have two walks. Dian Toscano had a single and a walk. Mel Rojas had a double.

Sunday

Mississippi supported another excellent start by Robert Whalen with 8 runs to get the 8-3 victory. Whalen went 7 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 2 hits and a walk, striking out 8. Jake Schrader had three singles. Jordy Lara had two doubles. Dansby Swanson and Dustin Peterson each had two singles. Carlos Franco had a single and two walks. Dian Toscano had two walks. Mel Rojas had a single and a walk.

Leaders

BA: Dustin Peterson .284
OBP: Dustin Peterson .350
HR: Jake Schrader and Dustin Peterson 7
SB: Dansby Swanson, Mel Rojas, and Dustin Peterson 3
W: Robert Whalen 5
SV: Madison Younginer and Mauricio Cabrera 4
SO: Sean Newcomb 74
ERA: Robert Whalen 2.16

Video Highlights

Next: Carolina Mudcats

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Carolina Mudcats (29-41)

Thursday

Carolina was swept in a Thursday double header with Wilmington. The first game went down as a pitcher’s duel, 2-1 in favor of the Blue Rocks. Raymar Navarro got the start for Carolina and went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 2. Joseph Odom had a double and a walk. Braxton Davidson had a single and a walk.

In game two, Wilmington used a 6th inning run to break a tie and win 3-2. Zach Quintana got the start for Carolina and went 3 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3. Stephen Gaylor had a walk and a single. Joseph Odom hit his 8th home run of the season. Erison Mendez had a double.

Friday

Carolina blanked Wilmington Friday 3-0 behind a stellar performance from Matt Withrow. Withrow threw 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 8. Keith Curcio was the offensive leader, with a home run, a double, and a single. Joey Meneses had a double and a single. Braxton Davidson had a double, a walk, and stole a base. Omar Obregon had a double.

Saturday

The Mudcats split a double-header on Saturday. In game one, the Carolina offense was stout, scoring 9 runs to defeat Wilmington 9-2. Max Povse had his best start in a while, going 6 innings, allowing 2 unearned runs on 4 hits and striking out 6. Joey Meneses had 4 singles. Joseph Odom had a triple, two singles, and a walk. Braxton Davidson and Sal Giardina each had a double and a single. Reed Harper had two walks.

The offense was a bit more stymied in game 2 as Wilmington defeated the Mudcats 3-2. Caleb Beech, just called up from Rome to make this start, went 5 2/3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits, striking out 5. Jordan Edgerton had two singles and a walk. Sal Giardina had a triple and a single.

Sunday

Carolina jumped out early to a 3-0 lead, but couldn’t hold on, falling 4-3 on Sunday. Ryan Clark got the start, going 5 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits and a walk, striking out 4. Sal Giardina had a double and a single. Tanner Murphy had two singles and two walks. Braxton Davidson had two walks. Stephen Gaylor had a single and a walk.

Leaders

BA: Joey Meneses .342
OBP: Joey Meneses .401
HR: Joseph Odom 8
SB: Stephen Gaylor 12
W: Max Povse and Matt Withrow 5
SV: Evan Phillips 8
SO: Max Povse 76
ERA: Sean McLaughlin 1.17

Video Highlights

Next: Rome Braves

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Rome Braves (27-42)

Thursday

Rome ran into a pitching buzzsaw on Thursday, losing 9-1. Max Fried was unscathed through 4 innings, but lost it in the 5th, and he finished with 5 innings pitched, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3. Yeudi Grullon had two singles and a walk.

Friday

Rome’s bullpen couldn’t close the door, and they fell on Friday to Greensboro 4-2. Ricardo Sanchez pitched well, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5. Carlos Castro was the entirety of the Rome offense, hitting two solo home runs.

Saturday

Rome walked off with a win on Saturday over Greensboro, 3-2. Kolby Allard made the start and went 5 innings, allowing one unearned run on 3 hits, striking out 5. Lucas Herbert had a double and a single. Bradley Keller had a single and a walk. Justin Ellison had a double.

Sunday

Greensboro exploded for 7 runs in the 8th and 9th innings to defeat the Braves 8-2. Touki Toussaint had a great start, going 6 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 6. Wigberto Nevarez had a double and a single. Yeudi Grullon had two singles.

Leaders

BA: Luke Dykstra .319
OBP: Ronald Acuna .389
HR: Carlos Castro 6
SB: Ray-Patrick Didder 18
W: Patrick Weigel and Max Fried 4
SV: Oriel Caicedo 3
SO: Patrick Weigel 77
ERA: Patrick Weigel 2.66

Highlight Videos

May 29, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fans from the Dominican Republic show their support for the Toronto Blue Jays during batting practice before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fans from the Dominican Republic show their support for the Toronto Blue Jays during batting practice before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

DSL Braves (7-5)

Thursday

The Braves secured a solid victory over the Yankees2 squad on Thursday, 8-2. Carlos Lopez got the start and threw 2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out 2. Kelvin Rodriguez got the win with 2 1/3 innings of perfect relief, striking out 3. Shean Michel had two singles. Yoeli Lopez had a double, walk, and a stolen base. Reilys Blanco had a double and a walk. Carlos Borrego and Luis Ovando each had a single and a walk.

Friday

The Braves bats were strong on Friday, defeating the Yankees2 team 10-5. Deyvis Julian got the start for the Braves and went 2 innings, allowing one run on 2 hits, striking out 2. Shean Michel had three singles, two walks, and a stolen base. Juan Morales had a triple and two singles. Yoeli Lopez had three singles and a steal. Reilys Blanco had three singles. Jose Bermudez had a double and a single. Luis Ovando had a steal.

Saturday

The Braves wrapped up their weekend with a tough 8-4 loss to the Cardinals. Servando Hernandez got the start and went 1 1/3 innings, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and a walk, striking out 1. Reilys Blanco had two singles.

Next: Braves Minor League Database

Leaders

BA: Shean Michel .348
OBP: Carlos Centeno .472
HR: None
SB: Shean Michel and Yoeli Lopez 4
W: Jhoniel Sepulveda and Kelvin Rodriguez 2
SV: Kelvin Rodriguez and Filyer Sanchez 1
SO: Erick Abreu 10
ERA: Kelvin Rodriguez 0.00

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