MINORS FINAL 7/25: Hot Name Is Miller; lots of wins

[rico43]

Without any dispute, the hottest pitcher in the Atlanta Braves' organization, bar none, has been flying below the radar all season long.

But that's about to change for right-hander Jarrett Miller, who was the Braves' 21st-round pick in the 2011 draft from UNC-Greensboro.

SInce making a splash right out of the gate with Danville (3-0, 2.21, 36 Ks in 20 IP), he has been a workmanlike .500 pitcher who is inching his way through the system. In fact, after going 9-8 for Lynchburg last year, he found himself repeating the Carolina League in 2014. Perhaps a bit demoralized, he began the season 2-6, and howned a dicey future at the all-star break (3-6, 4.47).

But after a crummy start to open June, the switch was flipped to "on" Jarrett Miller began terrorizing the Caroline League. OVer his last 10 starts, Miller is 5-0 with a modest 3.00 ERA. But the learning curve is what has been most exciting to watch. Over his last four starts, he has allowed three, two, one and zero runs, and with a seven-inning shutout performance Thursday night, looks to be ready to finally graduate the Carolina League.

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FRIDAY BOXES LINK (http://www.milb.com/scoreboard/index.jsp?cid=&lid=&org=144&sc=&sid=milb&t=affiliate&ymd=20140725)

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CLASS AAA

Gwinnett 3, Syracuse 1

WP: Rodriguez (6-11) 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K.
Avilan 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K.
Jaime (Save, 15) 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
Cunningham 2-4, 2B.
Boggs 3-4, 2B, R.
E. Reyes 1-3, 2B, RBI.
Gosselin 0-4.

CLASS AA

Mississippi 9, Tennessee 8

5-run 8th for win.
SP: Atkins 5 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.
WP: Robinson (2-0) 2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.
Kelly (Save, 1) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K.
Kubitza 1-1, 3B, R, 2 RBIs. (PH)
Poythress 3-5, R.
Hunter 3-4, 2B, HR (11th), 2 R, RBI.
Nunez 2-4, 2B, R, RBI.

ADVANCED CLASS A

Lynchburg 11, Frederick 1

WP: Walters (2-0) 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.
Martinez 3-6, R, RBI. (.361)
Tewell 1-4, 2 R, HR (7th), RBI.
Carroll 2-4, 2 R, RBI, SB.
Bloxom 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBIs.
Ahrens 2-5, 2B, R, RBI.
Blake 1-5, 2B, RBI.

CLASS A

Rome 4, Delmarva 2

SP: Diaz 3 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.
WP: Barker (3-1) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.
Dirks (Save, 1) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
Camargo 4-4, 2B, 2 R.
Godfrey 2-3, 2B, 3B, R, 3 RBIs.
Shrader 1-3.

SHORT-SEASON

Danville 4, Bluefield 3

SP: Ubiera 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HBP.
WP: Kinman (2-0) 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
Roney (Save, 1) 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K.
McElroy 2-4, R, 2 RBIs.
Piloto 2-4.
Edgerton 1-3, 2B, R, 2 BB.
Albies 1-5, 2B, R, SB.

GCL Yankees 2, GCL Braves 1

SP: Caicedo 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K.
LP: R. Rodriguez (0-2) 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR.
Dykstra 3-4.
Monasterio 1-3, RBI.
J.J. Franco 1-4.
Davidson 0-3, BB.
Bello 0-3.
(lost despite allowing 3 hits)

DSL Astros 6, DSL Braves 5 (11)

SP: Gavidia 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K.
LP: Moreno (2-3) 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.
Arias 1-5, 2B, R, 3 RBIs.
Castro 2-3.
Salazar 2-5, RBI.

MOVES: Matt Sims promoted to Rome from Danville. Victor Reyes on DL (leg contusion)
Former 3B, turned P, Matt Weaver released by Braves.

[50PoundHead]

Elmer Reyes has held his own with the bat in his first 80+ times to the plate in AAA. Still has Francoeurish reluctance to take the free pass, but is putting the bat on the ball. I'm very curious to see what his long term role will be, either in Atlanta or somewhere else. Given Simmons' presence at SS with the big club, I wonder if there will be interest from other teams about the availability of Reyes this winter.

[50PoundHead]

Dykstra at it again today with hits in his first two ABs.

[KB21]

Dykstra at it again today with hits in his first two ABs.

It is early, but Dykstra is already looking like a top 10 prospect in the organization. I'm curious to see if he eventually becomes a center fielder.

[50PoundHead]

It is early, but Dykstra is already looking like a top 10 prospect in the organization. I'm curious to see if he eventually becomes a center fielder.

Dykstra had some problems in the field his first week, but I don't think he's had an error in over a week while playing both 2B and SS. Could have been a minor issue that was cleared up on the side. That said, he may project as an OF over time. I'd love to see what they do in the instructional league with him.

He's a California kid who comes from a great pedigree and has played a lot of baseball, so he's more polished than the average draftee. I wouldn't be surprised--in fact I kind of expect it--if he's in Rome next season. It will be interesting to see what the Braves' determine to be his best position in the field going forward. I liked the pick when they made it and I hope he continues to blossom.

PS--Kyle Kinman--our 25th round pick this past draft--is a little older than the average draftee (23), but he bounced around a bit in his college career. He was a two-way player who is now solely a pitcher. He may be a guy to watch. He scuffled a bit out of the gate, but he has pitched well since getting his feet underneath him.

[KB21]

Dykstra had some problems in the field his first week, but I don't think he's had an error in over a week while playing both 2B and SS. Could have been a minor issue that was cleared up on the side. That said, he may project as an OF over time. I'd love to see what they do in the instructional league with him.

He's a California kid who comes from a great pedigree and has played a lot of baseball, so he's more polished than the average draftee. I wouldn't be surprised--in fact I kind of expect it--if he's in Rome next season. It will be interesting to see what the Braves' determine to be his best position in the field going forward. I liked the pick when they made it and I hope he continues to blossom.

When is the Pat Dorrian going to get started? I keep seeing that he signed, but I haven't seen any action of him.

[50PoundHead]

When is the Pat Dorrian going to get started? I keep seeing that he signed, but I haven't seen any action of him.

Dorrian initially signed and then changed his mind.

Here's an article about it: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/sports/20140722/baseball-kingston-high-graduate-pat-dorrian-leaves-atlanta-braves-will-attend-herkimer-community-college

[KB21]

Dorrian initially signed and then changed his mind.

Here's an article about it: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/sports/20140722/baseball-kingston-high-graduate-pat-dorrian-leaves-atlanta-braves-will-attend-herkimer-community-college

Interesting. I didn't realize that a player could sign a contract and then decide after a week that he wants to go to school. I'm surprised he is eligible to play.

[50PoundHead]

Interesting. I didn't realize that a player could sign a contract and then decide after a week that he wants to go to school. I'm surprised he is eligible to play.

I think as long as he didn't gain financially from signing, he's fine. Seems to me I have read of this happening before, but it is rare.

I was in a draft chat at a site and asked the expert "Who the heck is this Dorrian kid?" and they couldn't supply a quick answer. He was way off the radar and while that often doesn't mean a whole lot, Dorrian may have figured he needed to refine his game after sizing up the competition in Orlando. Just a hunch on my part. I think the more telling part of the article is that he was committed to Iowa Western--which is a NJCAA Division I community college power house--and instead will be attending Herkimer, which is a NJCAA Division III school and does well at that level. Curious to see how it all turns out. Dorrian is a three-sport player so maybe he's playing more than one sport at Herkimer. Good luck to him whatever the reason for his decision.

[rico43]

Interesting. I didn't realize that a player could sign a contract and then decide after a week that he wants to go to school. I'm surprised he is eligible to play.

I was, too. Guess since he did not play in a game, there's a loophole. Here are two excepts from the story mentioned above:

He reported to the Braves’ Class A Gulf Coast League team in Kissimmee, Florida shortly thereafter but left the squad after a week.

In a tweet on July 5, Dorrian, who could not be reached for comment, said, “... I’m coming home. Not the right time for me yet, my time will come.”

Dorrian was released from his contract to become eligible to play in college.

[rico43]

He reportedly is also playing basketball.