Atlanta Braves Week 5 Farm Report: The best week yet

Not only did the Atlanta Braves cap off the weekend with a sweep, but the minor league system went15-8 in Week 5.

The Atlanta Braves organization as a whole did very well this past week, including Friday when not only did the big league club win, but all four minor league teams did as well.

Need a refresher? Here are the previous recaps:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4

(17-13) Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)

Week 5 Record: 4-3

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

(3B) Austin Riley

Riley went 11-for-23 (.478 average) and belted 3 doubles in Week 5; not to mention 5 home runs, four of them coming from two 2-homer games.

The future Atlanta Braves third baseman picked up 11 of his 27 RBI this past week, and now has a .301 batting average (1.014 OPS) and 10 home runs, to go along with 9 doubles this season.

(SP) Sean Newcomb

Newcomb gets Pitcher of the Week again, as he had another walk-less start last Monday. His line wasn’t outrageous (6 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 K), but that makes back-to-back starts without a walk.

For the season in Gwinnett, Newcomb is 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA (15 K / 4 BB). I’m thinking one or two more solid starts, and he’s on Brian Snitker‘s good side again (or maybe Alex Anthopolous?).

(4/29) Monday: Won 9-2 vs. Charlotte Knights – FULL RECAP

• (P) S. Newcomb: 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• (CF) R. Ortega: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• (LF) A. Duvall: 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

So a couple of notable Gwinnett achievements on Monday night: Adam Duvall homered in his 5th-straight game, tying the mark set by Joey Terdoslavich in 2014.

Also, Rafael Ortega‘s lead-off homer gives him four total this season, which ties Ozzie Albies from 2017 for such lead-off hits. Finally, Andres Blanco‘s double on Monday extended his on-base streak to 18 games.

And even better, Sean Newcomb once again made a quality start (2nd-straight), forcing Charlotte to keep everything on the ground with his 9 groundouts Monday.

*Also, reliever Grant Dayton was recalled to the Atlanta Braves on Monday, due to Chad Sobotka being placed on the 10-day IL (abdominal strain).

(4/30) Tuesday: Won 4-2 vs. Charlotte Knights – FULL RECAP

• (P) B. Wilson: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
• (LF) A. Duvall: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, K
• (3B) A. Riley: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, K

The Stripers received a strong pitching performance by Bryse Wilson (#9 prospect) and some timely hits by Adam Duvall and Rafael Ortega (2-5 with an RBI and K).

Duvall snapped his home run streak at 5 games but has now hit safely in 9-straight contests. Andres Blanco (2-5 with a double, a run and a K) held on to his on-base streak, now up to 19-straight games and Austin Riley (#3 prospect) is up to 16-straight after Tuesday’s game.

(5/1) Wednesday: Lost 10-7 vs. Charlotte Knights – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Allard: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 3 K
• (3B) A. Riley: 4-5, 2 HR, 2B, 2 RBI, K
• (LF) A. Duvall: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI

In a game where Gwinnett outhit the Knights 14-10, hit 5 home runs, and pounced to a 5-0 lead after just three innings — the Stripers couldn’t muster a win Wednesday night.

Starter Kolby Allard (#12 prospect) couldn’t get any help from his defense or bullpen, as Austin Riley committed 2 costly throwing blunders and all together Allard finished with a total of 4 unearned runs.

Riley and Andres Blanco both notched another game for their respective on-base streaks (Riley is up to 17 games and Blanco is at 20). Rafael Ortega went hitless with two walks and a strikeout.

(5/2) Thursday: Lost 8-2 vs. Durham Bulls – FULL RECAP

• (P) A. Santiago: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
• (DH) A. Duvall: 2-3, 2B, R
• (RF) T. Demeritte: 1-3, R, BB, K

The hot-hitting Adam Duvall added another game to his hitting streak, now up to 11-straight, but the Stripers fell too far behind from a rough start by starter Andres Santiago.

As a team, Gwinnett finished with only 3 hits (Duvall’s two hits and Demeritte’s base-hit), their lowest hit total this season. The Stripers only managed the one XBH by Duvall, while striking out 10 times and hitting 16 groundouts. Also, moving runners was obviously a problem (0-for-9 with RISP).

*Before Thursday night’s game, lefty Jordan Harrison (from Mississippi) was promoted to the Stripers. 

Also, reliever Shane Carle was optioned back to Gwinnett from the Atlanta Braves. 

(5/3) Friday: Won 11-3 vs. Durham Bulls – FULL RECAP

• (P) K. Wright: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, BB, 4 K, 2 HR
• (RF) T. Demeritte: 3-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R
• (3B) A. Riley: 2-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, BB, K

The Stripers remained scorching hot in all phases of the game on Friday, with starter Kyle Wright (#2 prospect) putting together his second-straight quality start and several Gwinnett hitters continuing various hitting streaks.

Adam Duvall extended his hitting streak and finished 1-for-3 with a run scored, two walks, and a strikeout. That’s 9-straight games with a hit for Duvall. Speaking of 9-game hitting streaks, Travis Demeritte had a heck of a game with 2 homers, pushing his streak to 9-straight as well.

Andres Blanco has a streak of his own, now 21-straight games getting on base after Friday night’s game. Blanco finished 1-for-5 and scored a run. He also walked once and struck out twice. Catcher Alex Jackson (#16 prospect) also had a big game (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI).

*Before Friday’s game, starter Touki Toussaint was recalled by the Atlanta Braves.

Also, Jesse Biddle was sent to Gwinnett for a rehab assignment after the Atlanta Braves game versus the Marlins.

(5/4) Saturday: Won 10-0 (F/6) vs. Durham Bulls – FULL RECAP

• (P) B. Rowen: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• (3B) A. Riley: 3-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB
• (DH) P. Florimon: 1-3, HR, 3 RBI, K

Saturday’s win was cut short by rain, but frankly, the game was over after the third inning when Gwinnett ambushed the Bulls with 7 runs. Runs have been coming pretty easy for the Stripers lately and after Saturday’s game the team now has 44 total home runs.

Gwinnett’s starter, Ben Rowen, made his first start in 2019 and first of his career. Newly demoted pitcher, Jesse Biddle, worked the fifth inning and threw 12 pitches (7 strikes). Biddle didn’t allow a hit and struck out one, while picking up the win.

The offense was of course led by Austin Riley, as shown above, but Rafael Ortega also played well with a 3-hit night (one double) and two runs scored. Adam Duvall finally went hitless (ended at 9-straight games) in his 2 at-bats, but he scored a run and walked.

*Starter Touki Toussaint was optioned back to Gwinnett to make room for starter, Sean Newcomb, as he was recalled to the Atlanta Braves.

(5/5) Sunday: Lost 6-2 vs. Durham Bulls – FULL RECAP 

• (P) B. Wilson: 4 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, BB, 2 K
• (3B) P. Florimon: 1-2, 2B, RBI, BB, K
• (LF) A. Duvall: 1-4, RBI, 2 K

Bryse Wilson started for the Stripers Sunday night and he still hasn’t quite got things going, now 0-3 with a 5.68 ERA (25 K / 5 BB). Gwinnett’s offense didn’t help much with just 5 hits and 2 runs.

Austin Riley finished 0-for-3 with a run, a walk, and 2 strikeouts, ending his torrid stretch of hitting.

Adam Duvall put the Stripers up quick, driving an RBI-single to left field in the 1st inning, scoring Rafael Ortega. Duvall is now up to a .314 average (169 wRC+) with 9 home runs and 23 RBI.

Ortega finished Sunday 1-for-2 with a run, two walks, and a strikeout. He’s currently batting .321 (158 wRC+) with 7 homers and 8 doubles.

(11-18) Florida Fire Frogs (A+)

Week 5 Record: 3-2

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

(1B) Drew Lugbauer

Lugbauer isn’t exactly leading the team in offense with his .157 batting average thus far in 2019, but in his last 10 games he’s recorded a hit in 9 of them.

In Week 5, Lugbauer batted .333 (4-for-12) in 4 games, getting a hit in every game and slugging 3 doubles while plating 2 runs. He’s up to 6 doubles on the year, with 3 homers and 10 RBI. He’s in the midst of a 6-game hitting streak going into Monday’s game.

(SP) Nolan Kingham

As rare as a complete-game is these days, Nolan Kingham achieved one last Wednesday when he pitched a 3-hitter and struck out five with no walks. He didn’t get much offense either, with Florida winning 2-0.

Kingham sits at 1-1 going into this week, and has a 3.32 ERA in his 3 starts. In 19 total innings, he has 13 strikeouts and only 3 walks.

(4/29) Monday: OFF DAY

(4/30) Tuesday: Won 5-1 vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers – FULL RECAP 

• (P) H. Deal: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
• (LF) J. Ramos: 2-4, HR, 4 RBI, K
• (RF) G. Jenista: 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R

Florida starter, Hayden Deal, tossed another quality start (his 4th-straight).

Jefrey Ramos and Greyson Jenista (#14 prospect) plated all of the runs on Tuesday, but several other players had solid games as well.

Catcher William Contreras (#12 prospect) went 1-for-4 with a run-scored and a strikeout, extending his on-base streak to eight games.

Brett Langhorne hit a double, improving his hitting streak to four games. Third baseman Riley Delgado finished 1-for-4 with a double and a run-scored.

(5/1) Wednesday: Won 2-0 vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers – FULL RECAP

• (P) N. Kingham: 9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
• (1B) D. Lugbauer: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, K
• (RF) G. Jenista: 1-2, R, BB

Fire Frogs starter, Nolan Kingham, pitched Florida’s first ever complete-game and Drew Lugbauer plated both of the team’s runs from a 4th inning double for the win on Wednesday.

Kingham was in complete control, only needing 85 pitches to complete 9 innings (59 strikes). He was a groundout machine, forcing 14 outs on the ground and only three in the air.

The game only took 1:36 to complete, breaking the team record by a full 18 minutes. That’s some quick work!

(5/2) Thursday: PPD (field too wet) 

There was no game, but that didn’t mean Florida was left out of the transaction-filled Thursday for the Atlanta Braves organization.

Outfielder Garrison Schwartz was transferred from the M-Braves to Florida, stemming from his poor start to the 2019 season.

(5/3) Friday: Won 3-0 vs. Tampa Tarpons – FULL RECAP

• (P) P. Pfeifer: 3.1 IP, H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
• (LF) J. Ramos: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• (1B) K. Josephina: 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K

Philip Pfeifer made his first start of 2019 — he’s normally a relief pitcher — and struggled a bit.

Jefrey Ramos’ homer in the 2nd inning put the Frogs up by 2 runs, scoring Greyson Jenista (1-for-3, 2 runs, BB). The third and final run for Florida came from Kevin Josephina in the 6th, a double to right field that also scored Jenista.

Shortstop Riley Unroe finished 1-for-4 with a strikeout and Florida’s other Riley (Riley Delgado) had 2 hits in his 4 at-bats.

Newly demoted right fielder, Garrison Schwartz, played well with 2 hits and a strikeout and Jordan Rodgers finished 2-for-3 to round out the offense for the Fire Frogs.

(5/4) Saturday: Lost 4-3 (F/6) vs. Tampa Tarpons – FULL RECAP

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

The Braves almost had another 5-game sweep for the organization, but the Fire Frogs dropped their rain shortened game on Saturday.

Riley Unroe plated all 3 runs for Florida, hitting an RBI-double in the 4th that scored Garrison Schwartz, Brett Langhorne, and Kevin Josephina.

(5/5) Sunday: Lost 2-1 (F/6) vs. Tampa Tarpons – FULL RECAP

• (P) De La Cruz: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
• (SS) R. Unroe: 1-3, 2B, R
• (1B) D. Lugbauer: 1-2, 2B, K

Jasseel De La Cruz pitched a gem Sunday, but the Florida rain ruined his outing, ending the game after 6 innings. De La Cruz falls to 1-1 in 2019, but has a tidy 2.25 ERA in his 2 starts up with Florida (he made 4 starts in Rome).

Catcher William Contreras finished Sunday 0-for-2, but is still batting over .300, at .309. Contreras’ .780 OPS leads the Fire Frogs.

Riley Unroe and Drew Lubauer both hit doubles Sunday, and have both had two very different seasons thus far. Unroe is hitting .273 overall, but Lugbauer is still trying to raise his .157 season average.

Third baseman Riley Delgado had a base-hit and a walk, raising his average to .324 on the season. Delgado is second on the team in batting average behind newly demoted Garrison Schwartz, who’s hitting .333 in his handful of games with the Fire Frogs.

(12-16) Rome Braves (A)

Week 5 Record: 3-2

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

(OF) Trey Harris

I started naming Player of the Week in the Week 3 report and Harris has been the man on offense for the Rome Braves in all three weeks, including Week 5.

This past week, Harris went 7-for-17 (.411 average) in 5 games, hitting 2 home runs, a double and a triple, as well as 10 RBI.

Over 28 total games in 2019, Harris has been the leader for Rome, batting .378 with 7 doubles, and 3 homers. In Week 5 alone, he picked up 10 of his 19 RBI for the season.

(RP/SP) Alan Rangel

Rangel hasn’t had a very successful start to the season, but Week 5 was a good week for him. Rangel made a start Thursday and struck out 9 in five innings, pitching around 7 hits and three runs. He walked three.

Used as a reliever and a starter (4 appearances and 3 starts), Rangel has generated a 6.14 ERA in 2019. The run prevention hasn’t been ideal, but the 31 strikeouts and only 6 walks has been.

(4/29) Monday: OFF DAY

(4/30) Tuesday: Lost 9-7 vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers – FULL RECAP

• (P) T. Riley: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
• (DH) T. Harris: 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI, R, K
• (3B) B. Venter: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI

Starter Trey Riley lost his fourth decision on Tuesday, getting roughed up to the tune of five earned runs and 3 home runs.

Reliever Victor Vodnik appeared in the 6th inning and allowed four runs before he finally got 5 outs, getting pulled after 1.2 innings in a rare poor outing for Vodnik.

Trey Harris tried to mount a comeback in the 8th with an RBI single, scoring Carlos Paraguate (who went 0-4 with a K). Justin Dean went 2-for-5 with a run-scored and Greg Cullen finished 1-for-4 with a double, a run-scored, an RBI and a strikeout.

(5/1) Wednesday: Lost 8-3 vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers – FULL RECAP

• (P) O. Javier: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
• (LF) T. Harris: 2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
• (C) R. Rodriguez: 1-3, 2B, BB

The Grasshoppers jumped out to 6-0 lead after three innings, thanks to 3 homers in the third and a throwing error by Brendan Venter. The hot Trey Harris was the lone run provider with a home run in the 4th inning and 9th inning.

After Harris’s two homers, the Braves only had 3 more hits as a team; coming from Justin Dean (1-for-4 with two Ks), Logan Brown (1-for-2 with a run, two walks and a K), and Ricardo Rodriguez‘s double.

(5/2) Thursday: Won 5-3 vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers – FULL RECAP

• (P) A. Rangel: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
• (DH) L. Brown: 1-4, 2B, RBI, R, K
• (RF) T. Harris: 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R

Starter Andres Rangel was carving up hitters Thursday, striking out 9 (season-high) and picking up the win for Rome.

The Braves picked up 9 hits, including 4 doubles and a steal (by Trey Harris). Braulio Vasquez picked up 2 hits and an RBI, as well as a run; and catcher Ricardo Rodriguez also got two knocks, plating a run.

In his first game with Rome, shortstop Ariel Montesino finished 1-for-3 with a double. The Rome bullpen was strong as well, combining for 4 innings and two strikeouts, only surrendering 2 hits.

(5/3) Friday: Won 6-3 vs. Lakewood BlueClaws – FULL RECAP

• (P) G. Noguera: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
• (P) D. Mejia: 4.1 IP, H, 0 BB, 5 K (winner)
• (DH) T. Harris: 1-4, 4 RBI

Rounding out the Braves minor league results for Friday, the Rome Braves got the win, giving the Braves organization 4 wins for the day (the first time that has happened this season, I believe).

Not to mention the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins on Friday, so make that 5 wins for Friday.

It was all Trey Harris on Friday, as he plated 4 out of the 6 runs scored by Rome. Justin Dean and Andrew Moritz contributed the other 2 ribbies, with the former finishing 1-for-3 and the latter 2-for-3 with a walk. Both Dean and Moritz stole two bases on Friday as well.

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• Braves News: Atlanta Braves acquire Eli White from the Texas Rangers

(5/4) Saturday: Won 2-1 vs. Lakewood BlueClaws – FULL RECAP 

• (P) J. Olague: 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 0 BB, 4 K
• (3B) B. Venter: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
• (1B) G. Benson: 1-3, 2B, R, BB, K

Saturday night Rome won a close one and starter Jose Olague pitched around 4 hits and 11 flyouts, picking up his second win of 2019.

Down 1-0 in the 5th, Brendan Venter hit a two-run double to give the Braves the lead; a lead they wouldn’t give up.

Justin Dean finished 1-for-4 and Andrew Moritz also went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. Shortstop Carlos Paraguate picked up a hit in 3 at-bats, striking out once as well. Rome’s catcher, Logan Brown, went hitless with a strikeout in 4 tries.

Reliever Lukas Young grabbed his fourth save, striking out one and surrendering just a hit in his one frame of work.

(5/5) Sunday: PPD (rained out)

Heavy rain forced a postponement of Rome’s Sunday night affair with Lakewood. The two teams will face off in a doubleheader (7 inning games) on Monday, beginning at 4:35 p.m. (EST).

Rome’s Trey Riley will start Game 1 and Odalvi Javier will take the bump in Game 2.

Check back again next week as we help you keep track of everything happening down on the farm for the Atlanta Braves.