Week 15 Atlanta Braves Farm Report: Folty and Gausman each make pivotal starts
By Clint Manry
It takes both hitting and pitching
Despite Bryce Ball‘s torrid start to pro baseball, Danville just hasn’t played well lately, largely because of a starting rotation that can’t seem to prevent runs.
The DSL Braves don’t seem to be having any problems winning games of late.
(10-15) DANVILLE BRAVES
Week 15 was disappointing for Danville, as they finished 1-5 and solidified their current last-place standing in the Appy East division (5.5 GB from 1st place).
The offense was led again by young first baseman Bryce Ball, who kicked off Week 15 with a 2-homer game on Monday, on his way to a .350 average for the week. Ball totaled 3 homers and 2 doubles, as well as 5 RBI.
The 21-year-old power hitter has 8 home runs in his first 21 games, slashing .351/.438/.776.
Danville’s starting pitching was atrocious, highlighted by an 8.50 staff ERA. No Danville starter could make it past the 5th inning in Week 15. Although the group did manage to run BB/K rates of 9.5 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9, only allowing 2 homers all week.
Mitch Stallings provided the one decent outing, a 5-inning performance that ended with 7 hits and 3 runs allowed in Danville’s 10-0 loss to Greeneville. Stallings walked none and struck out six.
(4-9) GCL BRAVES
Between rain and scheduled off days, the GCL Braves only played three games in Week 15, finishing 1-2 for the week.
Shortstop Vaughn Grissom led the way with a 4-for-12 week (.333 BA) that consisted of 3 XBHs (HR, triple and double). Vaughn also knocked in 4 runs.
Starting pitcher Freddy Tarnok pitched a strong 4.2 innings in the Braves 5-4 win over the GCL Red Sox, on Wednesday.
Tarnok struck out five and walked none with just a home run being his sole mistake, as he only allowed 2 hits.
Lefty reliever Miguel Jerez pitched a fantastic relief appearance on Saturday, allowing just one hit and striking out six in 3.2 innings of work.
(17-19) DSL BRAVES
The Dominican team had the best week in the Atlanta Braves system, going 4-1 in Week 15 and finishing with a +10 run differential, as they scored 4.8 runs per game.
As you know by now, the DSL Braves produce runs using small-ball, and they did just that this past week. Only second baseman Alexander Then finished with multiple XBHs, slapping 3 doubles in his 3-for-11 (.272 BA) week.
Infielder Jose Dilone hit a double as well, going 7-for-13 (.538 BA) with 3 RBI in Week 15. Catcher Kelvin Pena plated 4 runs, batting .260 (6-for-23), as most of the Braves lineup swung the bat rather well.
Staff leader, Roddery Munoz, led the rotation with 9 strikeouts, in his outing on Thursday. Munoz pitched 5.2 innings and allowed just 3 hits and 3 runs, walking one.
Lisandro Santos notched the win on Friday after he struck out 5 in 5 innings. Santos allowed 3 hits and walked two, preventing any runs to cross home plate.
Ronaldo Alesandro worked a clean inning on his way to converting the save, striking out two batters in one inning of work.
Overall, DSL Braves’ pitching did a great job limiting the damage, holding opponents to just 2.8 runs per game throughout Week 15.