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Atlanta Braves minors: Week 6 AFL report and fall season wrap up

By Clint Manry

KISSIMMEE, FL - MARCH 4: Umpires oversee the ground rules prior to the MLB Spring Training game between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers at Cracker Jack Stadium on March 4, 2005 in Kissimmee, Florida. The Braves defeated the Dodgers 3-2. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
KISSIMMEE, FL - MARCH 4: Umpires oversee the ground rules prior to the MLB Spring Training game between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers at Cracker Jack Stadium on March 4, 2005 in Kissimmee, Florida. The Braves defeated the Dodgers 3-2. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /

A look at the four Atlanta Braves minor league pitchers

Overall, Braves’ pitchers were strong in Week 6 (except for one particular pitcher on Thursday). If there’s anything to take away from this Fall season, it’s that the organization has very wide range of excellent relievers.

SP, Connor Johnstone

Week 6: 1 start, 3 innings, 3 hits, 3 strikeouts

Overall: 6 starts, 22.0 innings, 2-3, 3.27 ERA, 24 hits, 4 walks, 19 strikeouts, 2 home runs

Johnstone got the start on Friday and pitched well, though immediately after he left the game (after 3 innings) the pitcher that relieved him allowed a three-run homer, ultimately costing the Scorpions, as they lost 3-0.

Johnstone has never been much of a strikeout pitcher (career 6.7 K/9), and even at Wake Forest he depended on weak contact. So his numbers in Arizona this Fall are right in line with his usual hit totals (9.81 hits-allowed per nine in AFL / 9.3 per nine for his career).

RP, Daysbel Hernandez

Week 6: 1 appearance, 2 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Overall: 8 appearances, 11.1 innings, 1 hold, 1 save, 4.76 ERA, 9 hits, 10 walks, 6 strikeouts, 1 home run

The trusty Hernandez appeared in Thursday’s rout (which we’ll get to in a minute) and did a nice job to calm the storm, pitching scoreless innings in the 6th and 7th and striking out two.

The 23-year-old from Cuba was lights out during the 2019 regular season with High-A Florida (1.71 ERA / 35 games), striking out 12 batters per nine. He wasn’t as sharp this Fall, but given how much he was used this season, I wouldn’t be too concerned with his final numbers.

RP, Brandon White

Week 6: 1 appearance, 0.1 innings, 0-1, 2 hits, 4 ER, 3 walks

Overall: 7 appearances, 8.2 innings, 0-1, 1 save, 8.31 ERA, 12 hits, 10 walks, 7 strikeouts

After pitching pretty well all Fall (he had a 4.32 ERA after Week 5), White got stuck in a disastrous appearance on Thursday. The former 12th round pick came in the game to start the 4th inning and got his first batter to line out; however, that was the only out White could manage.

Here’s how White’s 26-pitch inning went on Thursday:

  • Soft line-out
  • Ground ball single (deflected by White)
  • Walk
  • (runners on 1st and 2nd)
  • Wild pitch
  • (runners on 2nd and 3rd)
  • 2-run double
  • Wild pitch
  • (runner on 3rd)
  • Walk
  • (runners on 1st and 3rd)
  • Mound visit
  • Walk
  • (bases loaded)
  • Mound visit
  • Pitching change

Other than the blowup listed above, White had himself a respectable Fall season. He should build off his strong 2019 regular season with Florida and Double-A Mississippi (1.35 ERA between the two clubs).

RP, Bradley Roney

Week 6: 1 appearance, 2 innings, 4 strikeouts

Overall: 8 appearances, 11.1 innings, 1-0, 1 hold, 1 save, 1.59 ERA, 3 hits, 7 walks, 16 strikeouts, 1 home run

Roney got in some work on Wednesday, working the 7th and 8th innings. As he has been all Fall, Roney was sharp, throwing 16 of his 24 pitches for strikes on his way to setting down all six batters he faced (4 punchouts, one ground out and one flyout).

The 26-year-old Roney kept the momentum going from his 2019 season with Florida and Mississippi (1.94 ERA / 28 games combined), and looks to have a chance at getting back up to Triple-A Gwinnett in 2020.

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