You keep hearing about the Braves signing a large assortment of independent leaguers off of established indy teams. Every player listed below meets that criteria. It's a long list, but a good one. Kudos to the Braves' bird dogs in the bushes.
MITCH ATKINS, RHP (age 27): 8 games, 2-1, 2.87 at Mississippi. Acquired from Somerset (Atlantic League) 3-2, 3.98 in 7 starts. But Atkins is far from a normal indy leaguer, having five full years in AAA along with two brief stints as a Cubs reliever and a three-start stint with the Orioles in 2011.
JOE BISENIUS, RHP (age 30): 4 starts, 3-1, 5.31 at Gwinnett. One rocky start fouled up ERA; could actually be first candidate on this list to be called up. Five years with Phillies, one each with Washington and White Sox, one year in Mexican League and joined American Association in 2013 (3-2, 3.89 in six starts for Lincoln).
BRANDON CUNNIFF, RHP (age 24) 5 games, 0-0, 2.35 at Lynchburg. Much more of a potential prospect than some others, was a four-year veteran of Frontier League. This year at Southern Illinois was 12 games, 0-0, 8 saves, 0.00 ERA (12 innings). Unbeaten as a pro (9-0 in 116 games), original Marlins draftee (2010).
CHRIS EDMONDSON, OF (age 25) 10 games, 1 homer, 7 RBI, currently on DL. The final cut of the Cardinals this spring, he joined Rockland in the lower shelf Can-Am League and tore it up (.413-8-35, 17 SB in 36 games). First ever Rockland player to sign, ran into outfield wall Tuesday, injuring left side. Below average throwing arm usually offset by his hustle.
JAMES HOYT, RHP (age 26): 24 combined games, 3-2 (three starts) at Lychburg and Miss. Big boy (6-6) totally undrafted out of college (Centenary), put in two seasons in Frontier League with three teams, then made stop in Mexican League (0-2, 2.02 in 11 games). May get some starts with M-Braves soon.
MIKE LEE, RHP (age 26) 16 games, 4-6, 4.33 at Mississippi. big (6-7) giuy acquired from Rockford (Frontier, 2012) 3-1, 2.20 in 13 games, 6 starts. Was a six-year Boston guy, a swing man who never made it to AAA until he got one start in Gwinnett this year. Yankees drafted him twice before signing with Red Sox (8th round), 2008. Best outing of year was Thursday.
OMAR LUNA, INF (age 26): 12 games, .318-0-0 at Mississippi. Braves wasted no time latching onto former Rays and Dodgters farmhand when L.A. cut him in May. He played all of 13 games for El Paso in the A.A., hitting .360, before Braves swooped in. Has played four different positions in his first 12 games for Mississisppi.
SHAWN McGILL, C (age 29). .301-1-15 in two stops. Signed out of the A.A. all the way back in mid-2010, McGill has caiught at every level for the Braves but the majors while others have come and gone. Was hitting .347 at Lincoln when signed and has hit well every year but a disastrous 2012 (.178).
GARY MORAN, RHP (age 28) 7 games 0-1, 2.42 at two stops as he returns from injry. Bigger than big (6-8), acquired in 2011 from River City (Frontier): 12-4 in 22 starts over two seasons. Hard-luck guy on bad M-Braves team in 2012, went 5-10 but still won league ERA title (2.91). it was his first losing season as a pro. Original Giants draftee (41st round, '09).
IAN THOMAS, LHP (age 26) 30 games (four starts) 3-6, 2.98, 2 saves. The steal of the 2012 season. Undrafted, the VCU product was a strong reliever pitching in three indy leagues. Career indy league stats: 89 games, 12-5, 1.98 ERA, 5 saves. Was June Pitcher of Month in Rome, helping the second half turnaround by going 5-0 with 6 saves (3.15).
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First pro start for promising Braves draft choice Carlos Salazar Thursday did not go well. He failed to retire a batter, giving up two hits and walking three. But a strong relief showing by seldom-used Daniel Cordero held the damage to two runs in the game against the GCL Yankees.
In contrast, No. 1 pick Jason Hursh worked two scoreless inniings in his second outing in Rome. He allowed three hits, all singles, one walk and struck out one.
THURSDAY'S SCORES
CLASS AAA
Gwinnett (41-54) 10, Norfolk 4
WP: Loe (4-2) 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER(4R), 1 BB, 3 K.
Mejia 2-5, 2 HR (23rd, 24th), 3 RBI; Kazmar 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI; Cunningham 3-4, 2 RBI; Leonard 1-5, R; Gosselin 3-5, 2 R; Gartrell 2-5, HR (5th), RBI.
CLASS AA
Mississippi (10-12) 7, Chattanooga 3
WP: Lee (5-6) 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER(1R), 0 BB, 4 K.
Luna 2-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI; La Stella 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Jones 1-2, R, 2 RBI; Martinez 2-3, 2 R, 2B (.303); Bethancourt 1-4, 2B, R, RBI.
ADVANCED CLASS A
Carolina @ Lynchburg (5-11), ppd.
CLASS A
Lakewood 1, Rome (6-12) 0
SP: Hursh 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.
LP: Lafreniere (4-7) 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.
Peraza 0-3, 2 SB (34); Heffley 0-0, 4 BB. No hits for Braves!.
SHORT-SEASON
Kingsport @ Danville (9-9), ppd.
GCL Yankees 4 GCL Braves (5-9) 3
SP: Salazar 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K. Cordero 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Andy Otero 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K.
LP: Vail 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.
Hagenmiller 1-3, R: McKenzie 1-4; Oliver 1-2; V. Reyes 1-4, R (.360).
DSL Brewers 8, DSL Braves (14-16) 7 (12)
SP: Matos 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 R. 2 BB, 2 K
LP: Heredia (1-1) 1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.
Chin 1-5, R, SB; Tejada 2-5, 2 R, 2B; Castro 1-3, 2 RBI; Vasquez 2-3, 2 RBI.
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