What with all the attention the Braves' new acquisitions are getting in this space, I've got to say that the brightest light so far this season has been former No. 1 pick Matt Lipka.
Turning 23 this past week and finally enjoying some good health, he has been a force to reckon with in Mississippi. All grown up and filled out at 6-1, 200, he is among the top five hitters in the league and has on more than one occasion turned in a gold star defensive play (albeit mostly in leflt field).
Hitting .382 going into Sunday's game, Lipka has an OBP of .427 in his first 21 games (26 hits, five walks). He has an 11-game hitting streak going, 15 in his last 16.
He's currently on an 8-for-19 tear and has moments like a bunt double on his resume.
After a rookie league all-star showing in 2010, his career has been nothing but disappointing. His injuries include a slow-healing hand injury and surgery in 2014, a hamstring injury (a total tear) that was deemed career threatening. He also had to transition from infield to outfield. But his potential as a No. 1 says what we're seeing this year is the real deal.
SUNDAY’S GAMES
ALL TIMES EDT
CLASS AAA
Gwinnett 8, Toledo 1
SP: W. Perez 4 IP, 6 H, 0 ER(1R), 2 BB, 5 K. (1.33)
WP: G. Smith (1-1) 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K.
Peraza 4-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB (.301); A. Garcia 3-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI (.372); Kleinknecht 2-4, 2 R, HR (1st), RBI.
CLASS AA
Montgomery 7, Mississippi 2
LP: Weber (0-1) 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K.
Loman 1-4, HR (3rd), RBI, HBP; M. Smith 3-5 (.324); Castro 2-5 (.373); Lipka 0-4 (.361; batting 9th!)
ADVANCED CLASS A
Carolina 13, Frederick 3
11 runs in 7th-8th innings.
SP: Gil 5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.
WP: Marksberry (1-0) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K.
Robertshaw (Save, 1) 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.
Schrader 4-5, 2B, 2 R (.360); Godfrey 4-5, 2B, 2 R; D. Peterson 2-4, 3 R, 2 RBI; Meneses 2-4, R, 4 RBI; Lien 1-4, HR (1st), 3 RBI.
CLASS A
Rome 6, Kannapolis 5
WP: Barker (2-2) 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.
Salazar 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.
Kinman (Save, 2) 0.2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K.
Curcio 3-5, 2 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI (.369); Albies 2-5, 2 R, SB (.278); Edgerton 1-5, R, 2 RBI.
