Jose Peraza, 2B/OF, Triple-A Gwinnett
Ranking: Braves’ No. 2 prospect by Baseball America
Peraza closed out the first half with a three-hit game in Durham to make him 10-for-33 (.303) over his past eight games. He hit a home run July 3, one of the nine home runs the G-Braves hit over a 14-game span, after they hit just 19 home runs over their first 75 games. Peraza hit .284 with three home runs, 34 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 82 games during the first half.
Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Triple-A Gwinnett
Ranking: No. 3 prospect by Baseball America
Foltynewicz has been on a wild ride, recalled by Atlanta on July 7 to give the Braves some depth in their bullpen. He was optioned back to Gwinnett after Sunday’s loss in Colorado right before the All-Star break. The Braves want Foltynewicz back in Gwinnett’s rotation where he can have some leeway to regain a feel for his secondary pitches. He gave up six hits and two earned runs in 2 2/3 innings over three relief appearances during his recent major league stint.
Lucas Sims, R, high Single-A Carolina
Ranking: No. 5 prospect by Baseball America
Sims got better results in his second start back in the Mudcats’ rotation after missing nearly two months following the team’s bus crash on May 12. Sims pitched 3 1/3 innings in Myrtle Beach, allowing just one unearned run on three hits. He’s still working to regain his command. Sims walked four batters and hit another, throwing only 45 of his 81 pitches for strikes.
Jason Hursh, RHP, Double-A Mississippi
Ranking: No. 7 prospect by Baseball America
The Braves have decided to give Hursh a go in the bullpen. The Braves’ 2013 first-round pick from Oklahoma State pitched in relief Friday night for only the second time in his career. He pitched a scoreless inning, walking one batter and striking out another, while throwing nine of 18 pitches for strikes. In 15 starts this season, he was 2-6 with a 5.63 ERA.
Ozzie Albies, SS, low Single-A Rome
Ranking: No. 8 prospect by Baseball America
Albies started at shortstop for the World Team in the Futures Game on Sunday at only 18 years old and went 1-for-2 with a sharp single to left field, batting right-handed against left-hander Amir Garrett. He would have driven in a run on the play but his World teammate, Ketel Marte, was thrown out trying to score from second by left fielder Michael Conforto.
Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Triple-A Gwinnett
Ranking: No. 13 prospect by Baseball America
Jenkins responded to his call-up to Triple-A Gwinnett by pitching seven shutout innings in his Gwinnett debut Thursday against Norfolk. Jenkins scattered seven hits, walked one and struck out six, while throwing 62 of his 98 pitches for strikes. His was the longest scoreless outing by a pitcher making his Gwinnett debut since Cody Martin pitched seven shutouts innings June 18, 2013, at Buffalo.
Mallex Smith, CF, Triple-A Gwinnett
Ranking: No. 17 prospect by Baseball America
After hitting .340 in 57 games for Double-A Mississippi, Smith is hitting just .205 (15-for-73) in his first 18 games in Triple-A as he continues to adjust to higher-caliber pitching. Smith does have two doubles and two triples and is 7-for-8 in stolen base attempts for Gwinnett.
Andrew Thurman, RHP, high Single-A Carolina
Ranking: No. 20 prospect by Baseball America
Thurman pitched the second of likely two minor league rehabilitation outings with the Gulf Coast Braves Monday as he continues his comeback from a DL stint following the May 12 Mudcats’ bus crash. He pitched three scoreless innings for the Gulf Coast Braves, walking none and striking out four. He is poised to make his return to the Mudcats’ rotation this week.
Alec Grosser, RHP, low Single-A Rome
Ranking: No. 23 prospect by Baseball America
After going 4-4 with a 5.71 ERA in 13 starts to begin the season, Grosser has been moved to the Rome bullpen for the start of the second half. Grosser has made four appearances in relief, giving up four runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings, walking eight and striking out five. His last two appearances have been scoreless, while he’s given up just one hit over three innings, walking one and striking out five.
Steve Janas, RHP, Double-A Mississippi
Ranking: No. 30 prospect by Baseball America
Janas came back down to earth a bit after pitching 5 2/3 shutout innings in his Double-A debut. He gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in his second start for Mississippi on Wednesday against Jackson. Janas had gone 5-0 with a 0.49 ERA in six starts for Carolina.
