The Braves announced Thursday that Tyrell Jenkins and Mallex Smith earned the organization’s top minor-league awards for 2015. Right-hander Jenkins was named the pitcher of the year and outfielder Smith is the player of the year.

Jenkins, 23, had a 3.19 ERA in 25 starts between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. The Cardinals traded Jenkins to the Braves along with right-hander Shelby Miller last November in exchange for outfielder Jason Heyward and relied pitcher Jordan Walden.

Smith, 22, hit .306 with a .373 on-base percentage and 57 stolen bases in 126 combined games with Mississippi and Gwinnett. Smith is one of the players acquired by the Braves in a trade with the Padres before the season.

The Braves also announced award winners for each minor-league level:

  • Gwinnett: Manny Banuelos (pitcher), Adonis Garcia (player).
  • Mississippi: Victor Mateo (pitcher), Emerson Landoni (player).
  • High Single-A Carolina: Brandon Barker (pitcher), Connor Lien (player).
  • Single-A Rome: Sean Furney (pitcher), Ozzie Albies (player).
  • Rookie Danville: Ryan Clark (pitcher), Austin Riley (player).
  • Rookie Gulf Coast: Evertz Orozco (pitcher), Jonathan Morales (player).
  • Dominican Summer: Ramon Taveras (pitcher), Randy Ventura (player).

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider delivers in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Atlanta. (Colin Hubbard/AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS