Atlanta Braves AFL Week 2: Pitchers finding their way, Trey Harris continues to rake

This is Week 2 of our weekly look-in, covering several Atlanta Braves prospects in the Arizona Fall League.

Another week has passed in central Arizona, and most of the 210 players that make up the six-team league have had a chance to get in the swing of things. Today, let’s see how all eight of the Atlanta Braves prospects did in Week 2.

For previous 2019 Arizona Fall League reports:

• Week 1 (Sept. 18-22)

Week 2 Recap

Scottsdale started off the week with an off day on Monday before losing 8-4 to Mesa on Tuesday. The Scorpions beat Mexicali, 8-1, on Wednesday; then was off again on Thursday, due to a rainout.

Scottsdale took one of two against Surprise, losing Friday’s contest 4-3, but regrouping on Saturday and shutting out the Saguaros, 2-0.

On Sunday, the Scorpions’ offense broke out and hung 17 on Los Mochis, ending the weekend with a 17-0 win and 4-3 record for Week 2. Scottsdale fell to 2nd place in the East division, now 0.5 games behind the Salt River Rafters, who are 6-4 thus far.

OF, Trey Harris

Overall: 6 G, .417 BA, 1.131 OPS, 2 HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K

WK 2: .363 BA, HR, 2B, RBI, 3 R, BB, 4 K

Harris had himself another strong week, especially Friday when he went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double, plus two runs and a walk.

It doesn’t matter what season or league he finds himself in, Harris just rakes. The 2019 Mississippi Braves’ outfielder is now second on the team in home runs and third in OPS — behind prospects Joey Bart (No. 18 in baseball) and Josh Stephen (No. 29 in Phillies’ system).

Remember, Harris was a 32nd round pick who just cracked the Atlanta Braves top-25 prospect list in July. Can you say… surprise?

OF, Justin Dean

Overall: 4 G, .200 BA, .581 OPS, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 5 BB, 7 K

WK 2: 2 G, .125 BA, 2 R, SB, 3 BB, 4 K

Once again, Dean only played in two games this week, leading off and playing left field in both contests.

The poor numbers are nothing to worry about, as Dean has yet to consistent enough to get going (like several Fall League players). It may be another week of so before he starts producing like he can.

OF, Garrison Schwartz

Overall: 2 G, .167 BA, .452 OPS, 0 BB, 2 K

WK 2: 1 G, 0-for-3, strikeout

Schwartz got the start on Friday, playing left field and batting 9th. It was a bit puzzling that he was chosen for the Fall League to begin with, but hopefully he can take this time to improve his game. He needs some playing-time first!

1B, Greyson Jenista

Overall: 6 G, .227 BA, .593 OPS, 2B, 2 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 10 K

WK 2: 3G, .200 BA, 2 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K

Jenista, the Atlanta Braves 11th ranked prospect, knocked in his first two runs in Week 2, contributing with a 1-for-4 finish in the Scorpions 17-0 win on Sunday.

I wouldn’t worry as much with Jenista’s slash-line this Fall, as the No. 1 priority for the former 2nd round pick (2018 draft) should be cutting down on his strikeouts.

In 2019, between Florida and Mississippi, Jenista struck out at a 29.8% clip. His 3/10 BB-K ratio thus far isn’t a very good start.

SP, Connor Johnstone

Overall: 2 starts, 1-1, 6.00 ERA, 6 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, HR, 1 BB, 4 K

WK 2: 1 start, 1-0, 4 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K

Tasked with an easy outing, Johnstone took the bump on Sunday (the 17-0 game for Scottsdale). He had a better week in Week 2, needing just 50 pitches (33 strikes) to get through15 batters, resulting in his first Fall League win.

Not blessed with elite strikeout skills (5.34 K/9 in 2019), the 24-year-old does an excellent job of keeping the ball on the ground, as he showed on Sunday (7 groundouts / 1 flyout).

RP, Daysbel Hernandez

Overall: 3 G, 0-0, 1 save, 11.61 ERA, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 3 K

WK 2: 1 appearance, IP, 3 BB, 3 K

After getting in on two games in Week 1, while also picking up a save, the 23-year-old Hernandez was only used once this past week. At this rate it may be awhile before his ERA normalizes, thanks to his four earned-runs in 2.1 innings, in the opening week.

Hernandez (No. 14 Atlanta Braves’ prospect) was dominant in 35 relief appearances with the Fire Frogs this year (1.71 ERA, 11.96 K/9), so I’m sure he’ll have solid numbers by the end of AFL play, at the end of October.

RP, Brandon S. White

Overall: 2 G, 0-0, 5.80 ERA, 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

WK 2: 1 G, 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

White worked the 4th and 5th innings of Scottsdale’s loss on Friday, throwing 39 pitches (19 strikes) and facing nine batters.

I’m really interested how White does this Fall. This is a guy that showed a lot of potential but stumbled a bit in 2018 when he was challenged at the High-A level.

In 2019, White (24-years-old) had a big season with Florida but just needs to work on his walks this Fall. With a taste of Double-A this past regular season, White could turn out to be what many though he was a few years ago: a serviceable middle-reliever.

RP, Bradley Roney

Overall:  3 G, 1-0, 1 BS, 5.62 ERA, 3.2 IP, HR, 3 BB, 5 K

WK 2: 2 G, 3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K, HR

An absolute force with Mississippi in 2019 (20 appearances, 13.83 K/9), the 27-year-old Roney has had his ups and downs this Fall.

In Week 2, Roney pitched the final two innings of Tuesday’s loss and then threw just 12 pitches in the team’s win on Sunday

That Tuesday outing was a downer, as Roney surrendered a 7th-inning home run… not really helping Scottsdale’s comeback attempt. He’ll get ’em next time.

*Stats were retrieved from MiLB.com and prospect rankings from FanGraphs THE BOARD.