Prospect Primer: Weekly update on Braves’ top minor leaguers

Matt Wisler, RHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 1 prospect by Baseball America

Wisler matched his season-high when he allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings Friday night in Indianapolis. He gave up eight hits, including a three-run homer to Elias Diaz, and did not strike out a batter. Wisler last gave up seven runs on April 29 against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Since then, he had gone 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA.

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

Ranking: No. 2 prospect by Baseball America

Peraza put together three straight multi-hit games in the midst of a stretch in which he hit safely in six of eight games entering Monday. Peraza went 9-for-29 (.310) with four RBIs and two stolen bases over that span. He raised his June average to .261. Peraza hit .319 in May.

Jason Hursh, RHP, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: No. 7 prospect by Baseball America

Like Wisler, Hursh had a rough outing this week interrupt a really nice stretch of work. Hursh gave up five runs on 10 hits in six innings against Biloxi on Sunday to snap a streak of five starts in which he’d allowed two or fewer runs. The five runs were the most Hursh had given up since May 11, when he did it for the third time in three starts. Hursh was pitching on six days rest Sunday because of a rain-out and still didn’t walk a batter while striking out five.

Ozhaino Albies, SS, low Single-A Rome

Ranking: No. 8 prospect by Baseball America

Abies was named to the South Atlantic All-Star game to be played June 23 in Asheville, N.C.. The dynamic shortstop is fourth in the league in hitting at .320 and fifth in stolen bases with 22. He is hitting .404 (21-for-52) in 12 June games after hitting .314 in May.

Rio Ruiz, 3B, Mississippi Braves

Ranking: No. 11 prospect by Baseball America

Ruiz finally got something positive to build on this week: a five-game hitting streak that raised his season average from .194 to .216. Ruiz had three multi-hit games over the streak, including a two-double game against Biloxi on Thursday. He has yet to hit a home run and is part of the reason why the M-Braves are last in the Southern League in extra-base hits.

Braxton Davidson, LF, low Single-A Rome

Ranking: No. 12 prospect by Baseball America

Davidson has found his groove. He entered the week on a 10-game hitting streak highlighted by a 4-for-5 two-double game Sunday in Greenville, S.C.. Davidson has gone 16-for-36 (.444) over the streak with one home run, four doubles and eight RBIs. He started the streak with a one-hit, three-walk game on June 3. Such plate discipline has helped him raise his season batting average from .245 to .279 over the streak and Davidson is also now fourth in the South Atlantic League in on-base percentage at .407.

Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: No. 13 prospect by Baseball America

Jenkins was named a Southern League South Division All-Star and continues to pitch like it. He has made quality starts in six of his past seven appearances, including Wednesday night when he gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings against Montgomery. He took the hard luck loss and is now 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 starts for Mississippi.

Manny Banuelos, LHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: No. 14 prospect by Baseball America

Banuelos continued his good work with six strong innings in Indianapolis on Thursday, allowing just five hits, walking three, striking out five and throwing 52 of his 82 pitches for strikes. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight straight starts now and is 5-1 with a 2.19 ERA in 12 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett.

Mallex Smith, CF, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: No. 17 prospect by Baseball America

Smith was named a Southern League South Division All-Star as well. He will start in center field and bat leadoff for the South team on June 23 in Montgomery, Ala. Smith continues to swing a hot bat. He snapped an eight-game hitting streak Sunday after batting 11-for-31 (.355) with five runs scored, three RBIs and three stolen bases over that span.