Have to give props to a few guys who've gotten little or no pub this year...
1) ADAM McCREERY LHP (6-8, 240 -- up from 195 when drafted): A deal with the Angels worth liking. Acquired last year for Joulys Chacin, he was muy unimpressive in '16, but split 2017 equally between Rome and Florida, and was the latter team's principal closer when it needed one down the stretch.
Worked in 38 games (62 innings), going 3-1, 2.74 with 7 saves and striking out 90 as opposed to 38 walks. Opponents batted only .191 against him.
Suffered an elbow injury in his late teens, but refused surgery and his velocity left him for more than a year. He has recovered his mid-90s fastball this year, and flirts with 98 or 99 when he's loose.
Figure him as Mississippi closer next April, with the door wide open for him at higher level(s). He turns 25 in December.
2) ALAY LAGO 2B (6-0, 200): Signed away from the Mexican League after he arrived from Cuba, Lago is 26 and was a rare everyday player in the dismal Florida season. He fell off our radar when he hit .220 in May, but he followed that with a .362 average in June and .341 in August and finished his first full pro season with a .303 average.
A righty hitter, he seems to have a decent stroke (20 doubles, only 65 strikeouts in 415 at-bats). His defense is a question with 12 errors this year.
3) TROY CONYERS (6-5, 235): Another beefy lefty, was the Braves' 23rd round pick this June out of San Diego. Working as a set-up man, Conyers combined his time with the GCL Braves and Rome and finished the year throwing in just 18 games but going 7-0, 1.91 with a save. He broke in with the GCL Braves and earned his promotion by not allowing a run over his first eight games (14 innings).
Conyers, a member of the Tommy John Club (April of 2014), was considered as having control issues, but had 43 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 42 innings. One scouting report said "huge stuff."
Conyers will turn 24 next April.
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