With September a few days away and the minor league seasons set to wrap up next week, several prospective Braves players have had breakout performances and many will have find themselves in the majors soon.
The Braves have already benefited from the minors this season by inserting Mike Minor into the rotation with recent injuries, calling up outfielder Jose Constanza to spark their lineup and getting productive spot starts from Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado. Arodys Vizcaino has also proved a valuable asset to the bullpen the past few weeks.
More reinforcements are on the way when rosters expand Thursday. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Delgado and Teheran will be among the call-ups. Others might include relievers Cory Gearrin and Jairo Asencio, catcher J.C. Boscan, and infielders Wes Helms and Brandon Hicks. Shortstop Tyler Pastornicky might have been among them, but he is out with a high ankle sprain.
Biggest splashes
Julio Teheran
Position: Right-handed starter
Age: 20
Stats: 15-2 with a 2.22 ERA, with 43 walks and 121 strikeouts in 141 2/3 innings, .227 opponents' average
Comment from Kurt Kemp, Braves director of player development: "He has found a way to win even on the nights where he doesn't have his best stuff. That's a great quality. We're pleased in every facet of what he's done there, development of pitches, command of pitches and winning against top competition."
Arodys Vizcaino
Position: Right-handed reliever
Age: 20
Stats: 5-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 26 games (17 starts) combined at Single-A Lynchburg, Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. He struck out 100 in 97 innings, while walking only 28, with a .225 opponents' average.
Kemp comment: "We felt at the start getting him innings on the mound would be important. It allowed him to develop all three of his pitches. When decision was made to move him to bullpen, he did a great job adapting to different role, and it got him to the major league level."
Randall Delgado
Position: Right-handed starter
Age: 21
Stats: 7-7 with a 3.88 ERA in 25 starts in Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, including two complete games. He has 135 strikeouts in 139 innings, with 57 walks.
Kemp comment: "He has grown in confidence. He understands what he has the ability to do. When he puts the ball where he wants, he has ability to get hitters out. Good pitches get good hitters out; sometimes you have to see it."
Tyler Pastornicky
Position: Shortstop
Age: 21
Stats: Hit .315 with 15 doubles, five triples, seven home runs, 45 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.
Kemp comment: "From the beginning of the year to the end, we saw a more consistent approach at the plate, a more consistent player at shortstop, a guy understanding what you're trying to do night in and night out."
Andrelton Simmons
Position: Shortstop
Age: 21
Stats: Hit .303 with 31 doubles, six triples, one home run, 51 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 123 games for Single-A Lynchburg.
Kemp comment: "He has really had a terrific year all the way around. We asked Andrelton to jump over one level (with a glut of shortstops in Rome). He's come through in flying colors, leading the league in batting average. He's made his share of errors (27) but made a lot of really good plays. He's done some spectacular things offensively and showed an ability to make some adjustments."
On the rise
Catcher Christian Bethancourt: It's been a resurgent season for the Braves' top catching prospect. After returning to Single-A Rome to start the season, he hit .303 there in 54 games before earning a promotion to high Single-A Lynchburg, where he has hit .273 with 19 RBIs in 43 games.
Right-hander Zeke Spruill: The 2008 second-round pick has matured on his way to a solid season in Lynchburg, then Double-A Mississippi. The Marietta native has put his sinkerball and aggressive approach to good use, throwing six complete games in 26 starts this season.
Comeback kids
Lynchburg manager Luis Salazar never missed a beat, despite losing his left eye after getting hit by a Brian McCann foul ball in spring training. Salazar has hit fungos, thrown batting practice and managed the Hillcats from the dugout. “It has been such a great example not just for Lynchburg players but our entire organization, what he went through and how he handled it,” Kemp said.
First baseman Ernesto Mejia left the Braves organization for a year to sign with the Royals as a six-year minor league free agent. In his return, he’s had a record season in Double-A Mississippi, hitting .292 with 22 home runs and 88 RBIs in 130 games.
Thumpers
The Braves have had some big boppers in the minors this season:
Stefan Gartrell, RF, Gwinnett, 31 doubles, 26 homers, 91 RBIs
Mauro Gomez, 1B, Gwinnett, 31 doubles, 21 homers, 74 RBIs
Ernesto Mejia, 1B, Mississippi, 35 doubles, 22 homers, 88 RBIs
Evan Gattis, C, Rome, 23 doubles, 22 homers, 71 RBIs
Joey Terdoslavich, 1B, Lynchburg, 50 doubles, 17 homers, 73 RBIs
Chris Garcia, 1B, Rome, 24 doubles, 16 homers, 63 RBIs
Injury updates
Pastornicky: He twisted his ankle changing direction trying to catch an errant throw to second base on Aug. 14. He has not played since because of a high ankle sprain and is not expected back before Gwinnett's season ends on Sept. 5.
Todd Cunningham: The switch-hitting outfielder and 2010 second-round pick missed nearly six weeks with tightness in his forearm but has hit .273 in 21 games since his return earlier this month.
Quick studies
Standouts from the 2011 draft class:
Danville: SS Nick Ahmed (.264, 12 2Bs, 21 RBIs, 57 Gs), 3B Kyle Kobitza (.325, 16 2Bs, 42 Gs), RHP J.R. Graham (5-2, 1.72 ERA in 13 games, 8 starts)
Rome: LHP Sean Gilmartin (1-1, 2.87 ERA in 4 starts), RHP Cody Martin (1-0, 1.71 ERA in 13 relief apps), RHP Gus Schlosser (2-0, 2.10 ERA in 17 relief apps), LHP Matt Chaffee (1-0, 2.11 ERA in 14 relief apps.), 2B Tommy La Stella (.320, 8 HRs, 33 RBIs, 57 Gs)
Lynchburg: RHP Mark Lamm (1-2, 3.98 ERA in 13 relief appearances)
*All statistics are are prior to Monday games.
