Atlanta Braves Farm Report Week 3: Drew Waters, Cristian Pache hot

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Bryse Wilson #72 (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

The Mississippi Braves led the way in Week 3, thanks to the performances of Drew Waters and Christian Pache. Check out how the other Atlanta Braves prospects performed this past week.

(8-9) Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)

WEEK 3 RECORD: 2-5

CALL-UP ALERT: (4/14) The Atlanta Braves optioned lefty Sean Newcomb to Gwinnett and recalled relievers Jacob Webb and Dan Winkler.

(4/15) Monday: Won 9-8 vs. Charlotte Knights – FULL RECAP

(P) M. Foltynewicz: 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
(DH) T. Demeritte: 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R
(RF) R. LaMarre: 3-4, 2B, 4 RBI

Mike Foltynewicz made a third rehab start on Monday, needing 85 pitches to get through his outing (only 49 strikes). Centerfielder, Rafael Ortega, finally had a hitless game, going 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.

Jordan Harrison picked up the win (his first), by pitching 1.1 innings and striking out one. He also gave up 2 runs and walked three. Elian Leyva converted the save (his first) as he got 4 outs, with one strikeout.

CALL-UP ALERT: (4/16) The Atlanta Braves recalled reliever Shane Carle from the Gwinnett Stripers.

(4/16) Tuesday: Lost 6-10 (F/11) vs. Charlotte Knights – FULL RECAP

(P) B. Wilson: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K
(3B) A. Riley: 1-6, 2 RBI, R, K
(1B) S. Kazmar Jr.: 1-3, 2 RBI, BB

Bryse Wilson (#10 prospect) made a much better start on Tuesday, preventing the Knights from plating a run until the 5th inning. Wilson tallied 91 pitches in his 5.2 frames (59 strikes).

Thomas Burrows appeared in the 9th and blew the save, surrendering 2 runs from two hits. Burrows’ ERA took a hit as it’s now up to 6.75 through Tuesday night. What a coincidence … the Atlanta Braves bullpen blew a 3-run lead on Tuesday night versus the Diamondbacks.

Stripers centerfielder, Ryan LaMarre, slugged his third double of 2019. LaMarre went 2-for-5 with an RBI, a run scored, and a strikeout (.306 BA after Tuesday night).

(4/17) Wednesday: Lost 4-5 vs. Charlotte Knights – FULL RECAP

(P) K. Wright: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, BB, 2 K
(CF) R. LaMarre: 2-3, 3B, RBI, BB, K
(DH) A. Duvall: 2-4, 2B

After showing mixed results in his 3 starts for the big league club, Kyle Wright struggled in his first start of 2019 for the Stripers, allowing 5 runs and two home runs. Wright ran into trouble right off the bat when he surrendered all 5 runs in his first frame.

Gwinnett’s six hits included a double by Adam Duvall and triples from Rafael Ortega and Ryan LaMarre.

Travis Demeritte (0-for-3) and Luis Marte (0-for-4) both went hitless, but each picked up an RBI apiece. Out of the three relievers to make an appearance on Wednesday, Elian Leyva was the sharpest as he struck out 3 over two innings.

CALL-UP ALERT: (4/18) The Atlanta Braves optioned catcher Alex Jackson back to Gwinnett and recalled starting-pitcher Mike Soroka.

(4/18) Thursday: Lost 1-2 vs. Charlotte Knights – FULL RECAP

(P) S. Newcomb: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
(DH) A. Duvall: 2-4, 3B, RBI
(3B) A. Riley: 2-4, 2B

In a game where the Stripers outhit their opponent 9-3 (0-for-10 with RISP), Sean Newcomb took the loss on Thursday in his first Triple-A start of 2019. Newcomb threw 96 pitches, but 59 for strikes.

Rafael Ortega got another hit, as he’s made it on base in12 of the last 13 games (yes, I like this guy). Outfielder Ryan LaMarre got himself a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a strikeout.

(4/19) Friday: PPD vs. Durham Bulls

It’s April, so more rain…

(4/20) Saturday: GM 1 Lost 2-11 vs. Durham Bulls

FULL RECAP

(P) K. Allard: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HR
(RF) R. Ortega: 2-3, HR, BB
(LF) A. Duvall: 1-3, HR, K

In the first start that Kolby Allard managed to run his pitch count into the 80s, things didn’t go too well. He surrendered 5 runs (including a home run) after facing 20 batters isn’t really a great ratio, and like several of the Braves top pitching prospects — the start of 2019 has been a battle.

Jason Creasy relieved Allard, and man did he have an even worse outing. Creasy pitched 1 inning and gave up 3 home runs (6 earned runs total). It took him 37 pitches and 9 Durham batters to get three outs.

Including Rafael Ortega and Adam Duvall‘s contributions shown above, catcher Alex Jackson went 1-for-3 as he’s struggled thus far in 2019. Scott Kazmar Jr. picked up 2 hits and Luis Marte got a knock as well.

(4/20) Saturday: GM 2 Lost 2-3 vs. Durham Bulls – FULL RECAP

(P) E. Leyva: 2.2 IP, H, 0 ER, 4 K
(2B) A. Blanco: 2-3, 2 2B, K
(3B) P. Florimon: 1-2, HR, BB

After the beating the Stripers received in Game 1 on Saturday, the one-run loss in Game 2 was definitely an improvement. In Game 2, Elian Leyva got the short-start, working only 2.2 innings but pitching well. Ben Rowen relieved Leyva and struck out 1 in his strong 2.1 innings, as Gwinnett used four different pitchers in the second game Saturday.

Austin Riley had a single and 2 strikeouts in his three at-bats, while Adam Duvall went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Andres Blanco has been hot so far this season, his 2 hits bumps his OPS to 1.073 for the year. Travis Demeritte went hitless (0-for-3) in Game 2, and struck out twice.

And what do ya know … Rafael Ortega went 0-for-3 in Game 2. However, he did still manage to get on base with a walk.

CALL-UP ALERT: The Atlanta Braves optioned reliever, Shane Carle, to Gwinnett (he got recalled to pitch on 4/20 for double-header). The Braves recalled starter, Bryse Wilson, from the Stripers on Sunday.

(4/21) Sunday: Won 7-6 vs. Durham Bulls – FULL RECAP

(P) M. Foltynewicz: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
(C) A. Jackson: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, K
(LF) A. Duvall: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, K

The Stripers avoided the sweep, but Mike Foltynewicz‘s fourth rehab start was ugly, as the righty gave up a homer and six total runs.

The Gwinnett bats were much better Sunday night. Centerfielder Ryan LaMarre went 3-for-4 with a double and Andres Blanco picked up a double as well. Alex Jackson’s 2nd inning home run was his first of 2019.

Adam Duvall has now raised his batting average and OPS to .290 and .875, respectively. Second baseman Andres Blanco is now leading the team in batting average (.327), but Rafael Ortega is still leading in OPS (1.074).

Hitter of the Week:

Stats for Week 3 (beginning on April 15).

(OF) Ryan LaMarre: .500 BA, 4 2B, 3B, 6 RBI, SB

Pitcher of the Week: