Atlanta Braves farm report week 4: Austin Riley and the Stripers are heating up

Thanks to the top Atlanta Braves prospect in Gwinnett (#2 overall), Austin Riley, the Stripers have been rolling of late.

Week 4 for the Atlanta Braves minor league system featured some improved play by numerous players. Check out how all four teams did this past week.

Need a refresher on previous week’s results?

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3

(13-10) Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)

WEEK 4 RECORD: 5-1

CALL-UP ALERT: (4/21) The Atlanta Braves recalled starter, Bryse Wilson, from the Gwinnett Stripers. The Atlanta Braves optioned righty reliever, Shane Carle, back to the Stripers.

(4/22) Monday: OFF DAY 

(4/23) Tuesday: Won 5-2 vs. Indianapolis Indians – FULL RECAP 

• (P) K. Wright: 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K
• (3B) A. Riley: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
• (SS) L. Marte: 1-3, R

Kyle Wright (#5 prospect) made a strong outing on Tuesday, picking up his first win as a Gwinnett Striper in 2019. Austin Riley (#2 prospect) led the way on offense with 2 doubles, plating two runs in the win.

Rafael Ortega had two base-hits and second baseman Andres Blanco finished 1-for-4 with a run scored. Adam Duvall and Pedro Florimon rounded out the hitting for Gwinnett, as the former went 1-for-4 and the latter went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

(4/24) Wednesday: Won 7-6 vs. Indianapolis Indians – FULL RECAP

• (P) S. Newcomb: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
• (2B) A. Blanco: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB,
• (C) R. Lopez: 2-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K

Ryan LaMarre went deep on the very first pitch of the game and the Stripers won their third-straight Wednesday, as Sean Newcomb turned in a quality start.

LaMarre finished 3-for-3 with that ambush homer, and he also stole his fourth base of 2019. The former 2nd round pick from 2010 is now batting .362 after Wednesday’s game.

Rafael Ortega initially got the day off, but eventually came in to pinch-run and play centerfield, finishing 0-for-2 with a strikeout and a run scored. Adam Duvall picked up a base-hit in 3 at-bats, walking twice and scoring twice.

INJURY ALERT: (4/25) The Atlanta Braves have sent lefty reliever, Johnny Venters, on a rehab assignment to the Gwinnett Stripers.

(4/25) Thursday: Won 6-2 vs. Indianapolis Indians – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Allard: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
• (3B) A. Riley: 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• (LF) A. Duvall: 1-3, HR, RBI, BB

Thursday the Gwinnett bats came alive with some power as the Stripers hit two home runs and two doubles in their win. Austin Riley (#2 prospect) had a much needed multi-hit game, hitting his third homer of 2019.

Kolby Allard (2-1) needed 93 pitches (57 strikes) to get through 5.1 innings of work, providing Gwinnett a fair performance at the least. The seasoned vet and multiple Tommy John survivor, Johnny Venters, worked an inning as well and also recorded a hold with his one walk and one hit given up.

Centerfielder Rafael Ortega continues to rake, as he hit a double and a single with an RBI. Travis Demeritte also hit a double (2-for-4) and plated two runs Thursday.

(4/26) Friday: Won 8-4 vs. Toledo Mud Hens – FULL RECAP

• (P) T. Toussaint: 5 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, BB, 3 K
• (LF) A. Duvall: 2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, K
• (3B) A. Riley: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, K

Touki Toussaint (#8 prospect) didn’t pitch his best game Friday night, but it really didn’t matter, as the Stripers unleashed the power with 7 XBHs (2 doubles and 5 homers). Adam Duvall hit his fourth and fifth home runs of 2019, while centerfielder Rafael Ortega went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Catcher Raffy Lopez finished 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored, as he’s now up to a solid .333 batting average through Friday night. Scott Kazmar Jr. also had a great night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double. Kazmar is battling with a .245 average and .630 OPS.

TRANSACTION: (4/27) The Atlanta Braves optioned starter, Bryse Wilson, to Gwinnett to make room for Mike Foltynewicz. The Atlanta Braves also recalled reliever Shane Carle.

(4/27) Saturday: Won 16-3 vs. Toledo Mud Hens – FULL RECAP

• (P) A. Santiago: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
• (1B) A. Riley: 2-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI
• (3B) P. Florimon: 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB, K

It was another offensive splurge for Gwinnett as the team came up with 16 hits total (8 XBHs) on Saturday night in their thrashing of Toledo. Austin Riley played first base and had a huge game with his home run and double, to go along with 3 RBI.

Travis Demeritte went 1-for-4 and hit his first triple of 2019, while Rafael Ortega finished 1-for-5 with a double and two runs, a walk, and a strikeout. The veteran, Raffy Lopez, is heating up as he hit a home run Friday and finished 1-for-3 with three runs, two walks, and two strikeouts.

In the end, every single batter in the Stripers’ lineup managed to get a hit on Friday, even second baseman Luis Marte (2-for-5 with an RBI), who is batting a lowly .220.

TRANSACTION: (4/28) The Atlanta Braves optioned righty reliever, Wes Parsons, to Gwinnett after receiving reliever Jerry Blevins from Oakland in a trade for cash.

(4/28) Sunday: Lost 4-15 vs. Toledo Mud Hens – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Wright: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 8 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
• (DH/LF) A. Duvall: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
• (2B) J. Lopez: 2-4, 2 2B, RBI, R, K

The Stripers had won 6-straight games this past week, but on Sunday that streak was snapped as they gave up a season-high 15 runs to Toledo.

Starter Kyle Wright got ambushed, ending his day with a 1-2 record and an 11.81 ERA for the 2019 season — ouch. It wasn’t all bad … Adam Duvall homered for his fourth straight game, giving him 7 on the year and a .306 average (1.035 OPS).

To round out Week 4, Rafael Ortega got a hit on Sunday (a double), ending his week batting .307 and Austin Riley also hit a double (his 6th), raising his average to .256 and OPS to .812.

Shortstop Andres Blanco finished up his season-best Week 4 with a base hit and is now up to a .306 batting average and 1.041 OPS (leads team in OPS). Travis Demeritte also had a hit on Sunday.

Players of the Week

(OF) Adam Duvall

• 2019: 23 G, .306 BA, 1.035 OPS, 7 HR, 6 2B
• Week 4: 6 G, .347 BA, 5 HR, 2B

The guy that we all basically wrote off after he spent half of 2018 struggling mightily with the Atlanta Braves has had himself a fantastic start to the season in Gwinnett. Will he keep it up, though, and then make it to Atlanta?

(SP) Sean Newcomb

• 2019: 2 starts, 12.2 IP, 2.84 ERA, 12 K, 4 BB
• Week 4: 1 start, win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 K, 0 BB

Overall, the pitching in Gwinnett was dreadful in Week 4, as Newk was the only pitcher to make it past 6 innings, let alone seven. Newcomb is nowhere near where he needs to be at the moment, but his start this past Wednesday was a step in the right direction.

(10-12) Mississippi Braves (AA)

WEEK 4 RECORD: 2-5

WEEKLY AWARDS: Mississippi Braves outfielder, Conner Lien, won the Southern Player of the Week and the Farm Bureau M-Braves Player of the Week for his performance last week (Week 3). Lien, the Braves 12th round pick in 2012, hit 3 home runs last week, including a 2-homer game.

M-Braves’ relief pitcher, Conner Johnstone, also received some hardware: winning the Farm Bureau M-Braves Pitcher of the Week. Johnstone, a 21st round pick by the Braves in 2017, started and struggled in Triple-A earlier this season; but he’s been excellent of late, with just one earned-run and 5 hits over 8.1 innings last week.

(4/22) Monday: Won 2-1 (F/10) vs. Montgomery Biscuits – FULL RECAP 

• (P) T. Davidson: 5 IP, H, 5 BB, 3 K
• (1B) R. Casteel: 1-4, HR, RBI, 2 K
• (SS) R. Didder: 1-4, RBI, 2 K

While the M-Braves’ bats have been the difference maker in recent weeks, the start of Week 4 featured some shutdown pitching by Mississippi on Monday.

As a team, the Braves only surrendered 2 hits in 10 innings, while walking six and striking out four. Starter Tucker Davidson (#20 prospect) threw 86 pitches and was a bit wild, but benefited from some strong defense as he had plenty of baserunners to deal with.

Davidson ended up having to square off against Biscuits starter, and Tampa Bay’s #2 prospect, Brendan McKay on Monday.

Christian Pache (#1 prospect) had two singles, while Drew Waters went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Ray Patrick-Didder won it in the 10th with a perfect bunt down the third base line, scoring Luis Valenzuala.

(4/23) Tuesday: Lost 3-7 vs. Montgomery Biscuits – FULL RECAP

• (P) I. Anderson: 4 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
• (CF) C. Lien: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, K
• (C) J. Morales: 2-4, R

The beginning of the 2019 season hasn’t been a very characteristic start for Braves # 4 prospect, Ian Anderson. The 20-year-old righty now has 13 walks in 17 innings-pitched and as demonstrated by his below-average outings thus far, he has a 4.76 ERA.

Conner Lien and catcher Jonathan Morales each scored a run Tuesday, while Lien continues to provide power for the Mississippi offense. Shortstop Ray Patrick-Didder went 1-for-3 and Daniel Lockhart finished 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

Twenty-seven-year-old Andy Wilkins went hitless Tuesday, bringing his season average and OPS to .150 and .525, respectively.

(4/24) Wednesday: Lost 4-6 vs. Mississippi Biscuits – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Muller: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
• (C) J. Morales: 1-4, RBI
• (3B) L. Valenzuala: 2-4, RBI, K

Similar to Gwinnett’s Wednesday night game, the M-Braves received a refreshing performance from their starter, #13 prospect, Kyle Muller. The 2016 2nd round selection labored through his longest start of the young season, pitching into the 6th inning.

The two most prominent Mississippi players, #6 prospect Drew Waters and organization leader Christian Pache, went 1-for-4 and 2-for-4, respectively. Waters hit his first triple of 2019 and scored a run, while Pache had two base-hits with an RBI and a run scored.

(4/25) Thursday: PPD (rain)

(4/26) Friday: Lost 3-5 vs. Mobile BayBears – FULL RECAP

• (P) P. Weigel: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
• (P) J. Walker: 6.1 IP, 5 H, ER, 0 BB, 5 K
• (DH) R. Casteel: 1-3, RBI, BB, K

As usual, #19 prospect Patrick Weigel didn’t work very long as the Braves continue to ease him back into the rotation after his Tommy John surgery from last season. Jeremy Walker came in and pitched well enough for the win, but instead went home with the loss after making the longest outing of any M-Braves’ pitcher this season.

Offensively, the Braves didn’t do much, unable to manage an XBH. Drew Waters stole a base and went 0-for-4, and Christian Pache went hitless. Conner Lien had a base-hit, while walking three times. Friday night’s catcher, Carlos Martinez, went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout

(4/27) Saturday: GM 1 Lost 3-8 vs. Mobile BayBears – FULL RECAP

(4/27) Saturday: GM 2 Lost 3-4 vs. Mobile BayBears – FULL RECAP

GAME 1

• (P) J. Wentz: 3 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
• (RF) D. Waters: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, K
• (CF) C. Pache: 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB

A rough 4th inning by M-Braves’ starter Joey Wentz (4 ER in that inning), ruined a strong first three innings on the mound and resulted in a Braves loss.

Drew Waters and Christian Pache did their usual thing, with both prospects contributing with XBHs and RBI. Left fielder Conner Lien continues his excellent play, as he went hitless in Game 1, but drew a walk and stole second base.

Reliever Philip Pfeifer came in to relieve Wentz in the 4th (Wentz was unable to get an out) and worked 3 total innings, surrendering a run and two hits. Pfeifer struck out one and walked two.

GAME 2 (7 inn.)

• (P) T. Davidson: 5 IP, H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K
• (RF) D. Waters: 2-4, R, K
• (1B) R. Casteel: 3-4, 2 2B, RBI, 2 R, K

Drew Waters opened up the scoring for the M-Braves again in Game 2, hitting a single in the 1st and scoring soon after from an RBI single by Ryan Casteel (who had a heck of a game).

Starter Tucker Davidson pitched a gem in terms of limiting the damage, but all of that went to waste when Huascar Ynoa allowed 3 runs (including a HR). Ynoa only pitched 1.2 innings, but the damage was done.

Christian Pache finished 0-for-3 with two strikeouts but moved Drew Waters to second base in the 1st inning on a perfect sac-bunt.

We haven’t seen much production out of the big man, Andy Wilkins, but in Game 2 he finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout. Also, Daniel Lockhart contributed with two hits and an RBI.

(4/28) Sunday: Won 6-0 vs. Mobile BayBears – FULL RECAP

• (P) I. Anderson: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
• (SS) R. Didder: 2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, K
• (1B) R. Casteel: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 K

Drew Waters once again led off the game with a hit (his third time doing so) and the M-Braves received a quality start from their starting pitcher for the first time this season.

Ian Anderson’s gem on Sunday improves the #3 prospect’s 2019 numbers to a 1-1 record and 3.52 ERA.

Ray Patrick-Didder went off on Sunday, hitting 2 homers in a game for the first time in his career and raising his average to .153 for the time being.

Christian Pache finished with a single and a double, as he’s been locked in from day one. Pache is hitting at a .313 clip thus far, with 7 doubles.

The 20-year-old phenom, Drew Waters, is now batting a nice and even .300 with an .840 OPS. It’s been a fantastic four weeks for Waters and Pache in Mississippi.

Players of the Week

(1B) Ryan Casteel

• 2019: 8 G, .357 BA, 1.169 OPS, 2 HR
• Week 4: 5 G, .421 BA, 2 HR, 3 2B, 6 RBI

Casteel hadn’t played much until recently, but he’s been on fire since his first game. Until Casteel slows down, we won’t be seeing much of the 27-year-old Andy Wilkins at first base.

(RP) Jeremy Walker

• 2019: 4 app., 22 IP, 19 H, 6 ER, BB, 16 K
• Week 4: 1 app., 6.1 IP, 5 H, ER, 0 BB, 5 K

Walker doesn’t make starts, but as a reliever, he’s been extremely reliable, especially when it comes to limiting walks (only 1 BB in 22 innings). Ian Anderson would’ve won it this week if not for his poor start on Tuesday.

(8-16) Florida Fire Frogs (A+)

WEEK 4 RECORD: 2-5 

(4/22) Monday: Won 7-1 vs. Clearwater Threshers – FULL RECAP

• (P) F. Tarnok: 4.2 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K
• (CF) I. Wilson: 1-3, HR, RBI, BB, K
• (LF) J. Ramos: 1-5, HR, 3 RBI, K

Keeping with the solid hitting on Monday, the Fire Frogs hit well too with 12 team hits. Greyson Jenista (#14 prospect) had two hits, with one being a double.

Monday’s DH, Rusbar Estrada, went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run-scored. The hot-hitting kept coming from shortstop Riley Unroe, as he went 2-for-5 with a run-scored and stole a base.

The organization’s #7 prospect, catcher William Contreras, had a single and two strikeouts in five at-bats.

(4/23) Tuesday: Lost 0-1 vs. Clearwater Threshers – FULL RECAP

• (P) H. Deal: 7 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 6 K
• (SS) R. Unroe: 2-3, 2B
• (C) W. Contreras: 1-4, K

The Fire Frogs and Threshers tangled up in a pitcher’s duel on Tuesday, as both starters combined for 18 strikeouts. Spencer Howard (Phillies’ #3 prospect) pitched a 4-hitter and struck out 11 Fire Frog hitters.

Hayden Deal also pitched well, forcing 11 ground balls out of the 12 that were put in play during his outing (90 pitches).

Left fielder Jefrey Ramos picked up a base-hit and struck out twice, while Drew Lugbauer went 1-for-4 also, striking out twice.

(4/24) Wednesday: Lost 1-13 vs. Clearwater Threshers – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Weisenberg: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 4 K
• (DH) W. Contreras: 1-3, 2B, R, BB, K
• (2B) R. Delgado: 1-4

Florida’s pitching did well up until the 4th inning (gave up 10 ER total in 4th and 5th innings) and reliever Cutter Dials received the brunt of the damage, giving up 6 runs and only managing to punch out one Thresher hitter.

Third baseman Kevin Josephina picked up one of Florida’s four hits on Wednesday, going 1-for-4 with an RBI (his 8th in 2019).

Greyson Jenista (#14 prospect) was hitless in his 4 tries and struck out twice.

(4/25) Thursday: Lost 9-10 vs. St. Lucie Mets – FULL RECAP

• (P) N. Kingham: 5.2 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• (CF) G. Jenista: 1-2, HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB
• (SS) R. Unroe: 3-5, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K

The Fire Frogs offense generated 15 hits on Thursday in a game that wasn’t too great for either starting pitcher. Greyson Jenista went deep in the 4th inning for his first homer this season and Izzy Wilson and Riley Delgado both finished with doubles.

Catcher William Contreras had himself a nice game as well, with a 3-for-5 evening, scoring two runs for the Fire Frogs.

Left fielder Jefrey Ramos finished with 2 hits and an RBI and Brett Langhorne also had multiple hits in his 5 at-bats, drawing a walk and striking out once. All in all, a nice game for an offense that has yet to really start clicking in 2019.

(4/26) Friday: Lost 3-7 vs. St. Lucie Mets – FULL RECAP

• (P) T. Beck: 1.1 IP, 0 H, ER, 2 BB, 0 K
• (RF) G. Jenista: 1-4, HR, RBI, K
• (SS) R. Unroe: 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB, K

Friday night ended on an extremely sour note, and not just because the Fire Frogs lost. Starter Tristan Beck was removed from his start in the second inning of Friday’s contest due to a mystery injury. That’s a bad sign for Florida’s future, as Beck is considered one of the top arms in a relatively shallow starting rotation.

(UPDATE: As of April 28, Tristan Beck is on the 7-day IL.)

The 22-year-old Greyson Jenista continues to hit well of late, hitting his second homer in as many games, giving him 2 for the season.

Shortstop Riley Unroe, a 23-year-old former 2017 Rule 5 pick, is nearing article-worthy as he has been playing extremely well in 2019. Unroe is now batting .300 and has went 4-for-8 over his last two games.

Brooks Wilson came in the game in the 2nd and pitched 2.2 innings, followed by three more relievers to get through the game for Florida.

(4/27) Saturday: Lost 9-10 (F/10) vs. St. Lucie Mets – FULL RECAP

• (P) F. Tarnok: 2 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 2 BB
• (1B) D. Lugbauer: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• (C) W. Contreras: 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB

The Fire Frogs found themselves down 3-8 after three rough innings from starter Freddy Tarnok, but over the course of the game, the Florida bats almost got the win.

As they chipped away, Greyson Jenista picked up 2 hits and two RBI with a walk and two strikeouts; Left fielder Jefrey Ramos went 4-for-5 with a double (his 4th) and an RBI, also drawing a walk.

Every batter in the lineup contributed with a hit except DH Rusber Estrada, who went 0-for-3 but did hit a sac-fly in the 2nd.

Speedster Sean Michel went 1-for-3 with two walks, a base hit and a stolen base (his 3rd). Reliever Matt Hartman came in in the 3rd inning and pitched fantastic, allowing Florida to come back. Hartman worked 5 innings and struck out 2, walking two and only allowing one hit and no runs.

(4/28) Sunday: Won 3-2 vs. St. Lucie Mets – FULL RECAP

• (P) Del La Cruz: 6 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 6 K
• (RF) I. Wilson: 1-3, HR, RBI, BB, K
• (C) W. Contreras: 4-4, 2 2B, BB

The Fire Frogs capped off Week 4 with a strong outing from Jasseel Del La Cruz, improving to 1-0 this season and sporting an excellent 1.50 ERA to boot.

William Contreras (#7 prospect) had an impressive week and finished Sunday 4-for-4. Contreras is leading the team with a .333 batting average and .857 OPS.

Greyson Jenista had a rough one Sunday, going hitless and dropping his average to .213 thus far. Hopefully he can pick things back up this upcoming week.

Shortstop Riley Unroe, who’s second on the team in offense, picked up a hit in 5 at-bats. Unroe is now hitting .284 at the completion of Week 4 and has been an outstanding leadoff hitter for Florida.

Players of the Week

(C) William Contreras

• 2019: 22 G, .333 BA, .857 OPS, HR, 7 2B, 7 RBI
• Week 4: 7 G, .448 BA, 4 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB / 6 K

It was a bit of a toss-up between Contreras and shortstop Riley Unroe, but Contreras’ average was 148 points higher and he struck out less.

(SP) Jasseel De La Cruz

• 2019: 1 start, win, 6 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 6 K
• Week 4: 1 start, win, 6 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 6 K

De La Cruz has only made one start since being moved up to Advanced-A from Rome, and he barely edged out Hayden Deal for Pitcher of the Week, as Deal was unable to notch the win in his start (even though pitcher wins are… well you know). Regardless, the pitching in Florida this past week was just plain bad.