Atlanta Braves: what they’re doing down under
For a couple of years now, the Braves have been using the Australian Baseball League as an extra version of the Arizona Fall League. Here’s how it’s going.
Last year, the Atlanta Braves sent Ronald Acuna to Melbourne – Australia, not the city in Florida – for a few days. This year there’s a few more names you might recognize.
The Melbourne Aces are currently 9-10 and in 4th place in the six team league, skidding just a bit in recent days. Despite that, some Braves’ farmhands are definitely holding up their end.
But if you don’t like the idea of Winter baseball, then no problem: storms ripped through parts of the continent this week and temperatures in Melbourne could hit the mid-90’s next week since they just experienced their Summer solstice in the Southern hemisphere.
On the field
Outfielder Tyler Neslony has been the best hitter on the team thus far, playing 11 of the 19 games and hitting a robust .361 with 2 homers, 8 walks and a 1.062 OPS in 36 AB. He only has 7K, but has knocked in 5 runs.
The Aces list 5 catchers on the stat chart, and 3 of them are getting credit for having made appearances in all 19 games, so somehow I think there’s at least one DH among them, but our Brett Cumberland is getting reps while pounding the ball.
In 67 AB, he’s hitting .284 with an .860 OPS, though has been charged with 4 errors (yes, he’s catching a bunch). He does have 3 homers and 4 doubles on his stat line, though.
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Here’s a familiar one: Matt Marksberry is throwing again, and having some success in Melbourne. Though he is currently not affiliated with a pro team here in the states, he’s nonetheless trying to get back into playing shape after missing all of 2017.
In 3.1 innings, he has a 2.70 ERA, striking out 1 but also walking 3. Marksberry is 27 now, and his twitter bio speaks volumes: “Free agent Believer”.
One more interesting (non-Brave) name: Delmon Young is also playing for Melbourne and trying to get himself going again (he’s still just 32): .293 with 10 RBI, 3 HR, and an .807 OPS is a decent start for him.
Next: Making the case: Archer or Yelich?
The Aussie League plays on weekends, and continues doing so through the month of January. They do take this weekend off for Christmas, then resume play on the 28th.