Leadoff: Three players who surprised Brian Snitker this spring

Ask Braves manager Brian Snitker if any players surprised him this spring, and he has a list.

He quickly mentioned these three:

> Outfielder Cristian Pache, an elite defensive player who will open the season at Double-A Mississippi: “It’s been really cool to watch this kid the last three years -- how he’s grown physically and mentally, where he’s at right now in his career. And, shoot, he’s not even scratched the surface of where he’s going to go.”

> Catcher Alex Jackson, who will open the season at Triple-A Gwinnett: “He has come a long way since he started catching again (after the Braves acquired him from Seattle in November 2016). I just can’t see this kid not hitting when I look at his swing, how simple it is and the strength and raw power he has. And he does his footwork behind the plate. He’s a good receiver, blocks the ball well, has a good release. He has got a chance to be really good for a long time. I love the progress that kid has made since he moved back to catching (from the outfield).”

> Relief pitcher Wes Parsons, who signed with the Braves as a non-drafted player in 2013 and will be on the opening-day major league roster after not allowing an earned run all spring: “Wes Parsons is not the same guy. He’s another guy who has a different air about him. He has gotten everybody’s attention the way he has gone about it. He’s a strike thrower.”

DON’T MISS: What Hank Aaron has to say about Ronald Acuna.

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TODAY’S LEADOFF LINKS

> Falcons owner Arthur Blank is "concerned" about the high number of no-shows at the team's games last season, D. Orlando Ledbetter reports. (For the Falcons' and Atlanta United's real attendance numbers, which are well below the announced crowds, click here.)

> Georgia Tech women's basketball coach MaChelle Joseph was dismissed Tuesday, a month after she was placed on leave when team members brought forward concerns of mistreatment to the institute's legal department, Ken Sugiura reports.

> The Hawks have won more games than most people expected. And, really, that's OK, Steve Hummer writes.

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