Braves announce promotion for Danville GM

Batting helmets line the stadium field but were never put to use on a rain shortened day of spring training practice on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Batting helmets line the stadium field but were never put to use on a rain shortened day of spring training practice on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

The Braves announced rookie-league Danville general manager David Cross has been promoted to “vice president, general manager” of the affiliate.

Cross has been the general manager of the Braves’ advanced rookie-league affiliate since 2000. He won Appalachian League Executive of the Year twice (2003, 2008) and Danville was named 2017 Appalachian League Organization of the Year.

Danville finished 36-32 this season, good for third place in the East division. The club was led by highly touted prospects such as catcher William Contreras, infielder Kevin Maitan and pitcher Kyle Muller. Drew Waters, the Braves’ 2017 second round pick, also impressed in a short time.

"I am extremely honored to become a Vice President for the Atlanta Braves," said Cross in a press release. "The Braves organization is a first-class organization that it has been an honor to work for over the past 17 years. I'd like to thank Mike Plant (Atlanta Braves President of Development) and the Braves' executives for this opportunity. I look forward to working with our excellent staff here in Danville and throughout the entire Braves system to help the organization find continued success."

Contreras and pitcher Odalvi Javier were recently named the affiliate's player and pitcher of the year.