MINORS TFINAL 4/18/15 Wang-whacked in Gwinnett

[rico43]

ALL TIMES EDT

CLASS AAA

Charlotte 6, Gwinnett 2

LP: Wang (0-1) 7 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 0 K.
Pereza 0-4, R; Ciraco 1-4, RBI; A. Garcia 1-3, 2B.

CLASS AA

Mississippi 7, Jackson 3

WP: Ross (1-1) 5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.
Robinson (Save, 1) 2 IP, 0 H, 1 K.
M. Smith 3-5, 3B, 2 R, 2 SB; Rodriguez 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI; Castro 1-4, R, RBI.

ADVANCED CLASS A

Carolina 3, Salem 1

WP: Janas (2-0) 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5K.
Peterson (Save, 1), 2 H, 1 H.
Lien 2-4, 2B, R, RBI; Schrader 2-4, R; Franco 2-4, 2B, R, RBI.

CLASS A

Rome (3-5) @ Augusta, ppd., rain

[Braves1976]

Smith starting Mississippi off good again tonight. He tries to bunt the first two pitches, falls behind in the count as he missed one and other went foul. Then hits a hard single to RF before promptly stealing second on the first pitch, then he steals third too and scores on a base hit a few pitches later. 1-0 Mississippi early.

Smith now has 6 stolen bases and hasn't yet been caught. I know at least two, maybe three, are of third base too.

[Braves1976]

BTW, it seems Rio Ruiz was hurt in last night's game as he came out early and isn't back in there tonight either. Hopefully something minor, I haven't heard what happened but I've been getting the Jackson feed via MILB.TV the last two. Plus I've been switching back and forth from the Mississippi and Gwinnett games too.

[Braves1976]

3-1 Mississippi now, Smith just had another hard hit single with two outs making it three straight multi-hit games. The inning ended though after the Braves catcher tried going first to third on the play only to be nailed at third.

[Braves1976]

I switched back to the G-Braves as they were rallying from 2-0 down, made it 2-1 and had runners at first and second with one out after a Perez single. But Peraza surprisingly hit into a DP to end the inning, I say surprisingly because he isn't easy to double up.

[Braves1976]

This Jackson announcer is cracking me up, Loman of the Braves struck out and he called it this way: "Big fastball he blows him away at 86 mph." :)

[Braves1976]

Smith now 3-3 after a stand up triple, they had to fire it home or he might've had an inside the park homer. He scores on a short sac-fly, 4-3 Mississippi.

BTW, Mississippi should've scored last inning on a two out hit by Lipka but Rohm was called out at the plate even though he was clearly safe (Jackson announcer even said so).

[thethe]

Mallex Smith showing early on that his numbers weren't a product of his hitting environment last year. At this rate he could get a cup of coffee in Atlanta in September. Guy seeks to be absolutely everything you could want in a leadoff hitter. Time to play Maybin everyday with the hope he can be traded in the offseason.

[cajunrevenge]

I would like to see Mallex at AAA with Peraza. Let them hit 1-2 and get used to working together to get runners in scoring position like hit and runs, double steals, and bunting.

[nsacpi]

Lipka off to a nice start.

[Braves1976]

Lipka off to a nice start.

Yea, he's looked good too. He could give us another right handed CF option to go with Perez, probably not a starter but potential platoon or back-up option.

[Braves1976]

Mallex Smith showing early on that his numbers weren't a product of his hitting environment last year. At this rate he could get a cup of coffee in Atlanta in September. Guy seeks to be absolutely everything you could want in a leadoff hitter. Time to play Maybin everyday with the hope he can be traded in the offseason.

One reason we should do that is not related to Smith but to Perez. Perez is also doing well so far in AAA and he'll be out of options next year. So if we don't trade Maybin before next season we'll have to choose between carrying Smith, Maybin and Perez or lose Perez since he'll be out of options. We should keep Perez to back-up Smith if for no other reason than he kills lefties and Smith being a lefty that makes for an ideal day off for him. Plus Maybin is better vs righties than lefties so not as ideal.

To sum it up, I'd play Maybin a lot and then trade him when and if he brings up his value. If that doesn't work I'd just carry all three to start next season because I like Smith and Perez.

[50PoundHead]

Lipka off to a nice start.

I remember Lipka had that awesome spring training in 2014 and the Braves moved him around the diamond a bit in hopes of seeing him develop into a possible utility guy. Still might happen. He's been banged up so much, it's been difficult to get a read on him as a player. One of those toolsy guys who could be somebody if it all comes together for him.

Nice to see Mallex Smith and Eury Perez playing fairly well. Smith isn't on the 40-man roster, so unless it gets to the point where the player development people think he should be the everyday CF, he won't be coming up. Could be a different story with Perez.

[Braves1976]

I also think it's almost time to move Todd Cunningham for his own good since he doesn't seem in our future plans. It would also fix the log-jam Gwinnett has right now in the outfield with having to platoon him with multiple players, etc.

[50PoundHead]

I also think it's almost time to move Todd Cunningham for his own good since he doesn't seem in our future plans. It would also fix the log-jam Gwinnett has right now in the outfield with having to platoon him with multiple players, etc.

There likely will be a shortage of ABs if and when Toscano arrives.

[Braves1976]

There likely will be a shortage of ABs if and when Toscano arrives.

Yea, that crossed my mind too. Plus a number of players not listed as OF's on Gwinnett's roster need some time out there too when they're not playing the infield. For example, Garcia and Ciriaco have been playing both infield and outfield so far.

[JohnAdcox]

I would like to see Mallex at AAA with Peraza. Let them hit 1-2 and get used to working together to get runners in scoring position like hit and runs, double steals, and bunting.

This x 1000. I’d drive to Gwinnett weekly.

[JohnAdcox]

I also think it's almost time to move Todd Cunningham for his own good since he doesn't seem in our future plans. It would also fix the log-jam Gwinnett has right now in the outfield with having to platoon him with multiple players, etc.

If you could trade him, or trade EY and bring him up, I’m for it. Dude deserves a chance.