Week 14 Braves Farm Report: A strong week of pitching for Gwinnett and Mississippi
By Clint Manry
Two very different seasons
After a fifth-place finish at the end of the first half (30-39 record), Rome has started the second half off strong. Meanwhile, the Fire Frogs are currently winning at a lower clip than their first half finish (.263% now, compared to .379%).
(5-14) Florida Fire Frogs
It was a rough week for Florida, as they finished 1-5 and were outscored 38-21 in Week 14 (Sunday’s game was rained out).
The poor week puts them 9.5 GB from first-place Dunedin, as they sit in last place in the FSL North division — 1.5 GB from fifth place Daytona.
The Fire Frogs’ starting pitching was decent with Brooks Wilson and Tristan Beck leading the staff.
Wilson pitched 6 strong innings on July 4th, striking out 9 and walking one, as he surrendered 1 run from 5 hits. Beck struck out five on Saturday, picking up the win and quality-start with 6 scoreless innings of 3-hit ball.
Kevin Gausman made a rehab start on Friday, working around 5 hits and 3 runs, as he struck out 6 and walked just one, also allowing a homer.
Despite his poor batting average, first baseman Drew Lugbauer continues to hit for power, leading Florida with 3 homers and 9 RBI in Week 14. He also hit a double during his 2-for-4 night on Wednesday, when he knocked in 5 runs.
Ender Inciarte started his rehab assignment in Florida on Tuesday. Inciarte had a rough week, playing in five games and going 1-for-13 (.077 BA). He walked once and struck out twice.
(10-8) Rome Braves
Rome has enjoyed the second half of the season, now tied with Augusta for the lead in the SAL Southern division. Week 14 wasn’t so great, though, as Rome went 2-5 for the week, after losing 4-of-5 games by two runs or less.
The offense has been better of late, thanks to the addition of shortstop Braden Shewmake, who assisted the team in scoring over 3.5 runs per game. Shewmake played in all seven games, batting .428 with 6 XBHs (triple and 5 doubles) and 6 RBI.
Outfielder and leadoff hitter, Justin Dean, also played well, hitting a healthy .347 and adding 6 stolen bases.
Rome’s pitching was rather bland in Week 14. Gabriel Noguera tossed a solid 1-hitter on Thursday, striking out 9 and walking 3 in 6.2 scoreless frames.
The very next night, Jose Olague pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing just 2 hits while punching out 6 batters. Olague didn’t walk a single batter.
Notable Transactions
- 7/5/19: (3B) CJ Alexander assigned to Florida