Prospect Primer: Weekly update on Braves’ top minor leaguers

Jose Peraza, 2B/OF, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 2 prospect by Baseball America

Peraza entered Monday on a seven-game hitting streak. He was batting .400 (12-for-30) over that span with two doubles, two stolen bases and seven runs scored. Peraza went 3-for-5 Saturday in Syracuse to give him a team-high 32 multi-hit games. His season average is back up to .291, which is ranked 13th in the International League.

Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 3 prospect by Baseball America

Foltynewicz is back in the Gwinnett rotation after a recent stint in the Braves bullpen, and he pitched well in his first start back against Syracuse. He pitched five innings, gave up three earned runs, walked one and struck out three. He threw 53 of his 80 pitches for strikes.

Lucas Sims, RHP, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: Braves’ No. 5 prospect by Baseball America

Sims has had plenty of ups and downs this 2015 season and he’s enjoying the latest up. After pitching six innings and allowing one run in his third start back from the disabled list with the Carolina Mudcats, the 2012 first round draft pick from Brookwood got promoted to Double-A Mississippi. Sims, who missed nearly two months with a hip contusion following the Mudcats bus crash, went 3-4 with a 5.18 ERA in nine starts for the Mudcats. He will make his debut for Double-A Mississippi Tuesday night in Jackson, Tennessee.

Jason Hursh, RHP, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: Braves’ No. 7 prospect by Baseball America

Hursh picked up his first professional save Saturday night in his fourth relief appearance since the Braves decided to try him in the Mississippi Braves bullpen. The Braves believe Hursh’s future might be airing out that power sinker in the back end of the bullpen, and he’s already throwing it in the mid-to-high 90s. He gave up three hits and a run while collecting his two-inning save behind Steve Janas. He threw 16 of 22 pitches for strikes, his best ratio in four relief appearances.

Ozhaino Albies, SS, low Single-A Rome

Ranking: Braves’ No. 8 prospect by Baseball America

Given that Albies is still only 18 and playing his first full professional season, the Braves aren’t inclined to rush him out of Rome. Albies will keep making his case though. He came out of the Futures Game and got right back to work, with three multi-hit games in his first six back with Rome. He batted 7-for-21 (.333) with four doubles, four RBIs and two stolen bases.

Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 13 prospect by Baseball America

Given the All-Star break and seven days’ rest between his first and second starts for Triple-A Gwinnett, Jenkins might have been a little rusty for his outing in Syracuse. He walked four and lasted only four innings, while giving up six hits and four runs (three earned). He threw only 56 of his 99 pitches for strikes. Jenkins celebrated his 23rd birthday on Monday.

Mallex Smith, CF, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 17 prospect by Baseball America

Smith is still trying to build a little momentum at the plate since his call-up to Triple-A. He put together a three-game hitting streak in Syracuse through Sunday, while going 4-for-14 with a triple and three runs scored. He’s hitting .209 through his first 22 games with Gwinnett.

Braxton Davidson, RHP, Low-A Rome

Ranking: Braves’ No. 12 prospect by Baseball America

Davidson got on a doubles roll this week, hitting two-baggers in three straight games Thursday through Saturday. He went 4-for-10 overall in those games with a home run Friday as well. Davidson has hit just .205 in 22 games since the All-Star break but using a selective eye, and his 16 walks, his on-base percentage is at .363 since the break too.

Mauricio Cabrera, RHP, Mississippi Braves

Ranking: Braves’ No. 16 prospect by Baseball America

Cabrera got a call-up from High-A Carolina to Double-A Mississippi after the Mississippi Braves bullpen had to cover 8 2/3 innings in a 15-14, 10-inning win on Thursday. Cabrera made the most of it by pitching two scoreless innings in relief in his first outing Sunday against Jacksonville, with one walk and one strikeout. He was 2-2 with a 5.52 ERA in 23 appearances for Carolina.

Steve Janas, RHP, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: Braves’ No. 30 prospect by Baseball America

Janas has settled back in after a seven-run outing in his second start with the Mississippi Braves following his promotion from Carolina. Janas allowed just two earned runs over 11 innings in his next two starts, which included his first win as a Mississippi Brave. He pitched five innings against Jacksonville to get that win, allowing four hits, two runs (one earned), walking none and striking out four.