rico43
<B>Director of Minor League Reports</B>
Since it's halfway through the season, the Braves player development staff need to start making room for the next wave of players. With an apparent 33 draft picks signed, plus one or two free agents that we know of, there is a need to start culling the herd, as it were, of those who are falling behind.
First, three all-star break promotions worth mentioning: Joey Meneses, who had a nearly 20-point lead in the Carolina League batting race, has earned a move to Mississippi (as befits his age, among other things).
Joseph Odom, the catcher who was one of the heroes of last season's Carolina bus crash, deserved better than to have to ride that bus again. Well on his way to a double digit home run season with a healthy bunch of RBIs, he, too, is going to get his first taste of Double-A.
The third is intriguing: Mel Rojas Jr. has moved to Gwinnett. Considered a five-tool player when drafted, those tools had been MIA in recent season. In fact, his first week or two with the Braves looked more like a zero tool player. But he has risen to the occasion, playing errorless defense in his 35-game stint in AA and had a big game to mark his return to AAA. He looks to be very close to being one of the organization's top 30.
Time to go: start with Andrew Thurman (1-6, 6.05 at Mississippi). Last night, he failed to get out of the first inning: it went like this -- walk, stolen base, walk, walk, two-run double, foul out, wild pitch to score run, walk, strikeout/stolen base, intentional walk, walk opposing pitcher for a run. Then Bradley came in and gave up two-run double Thurman, however, was coming off his first win, in which he did not allow a run.
Ryan Clark, Carolina: 0-9, 6.05. He was Danville's winningest pitcher last year (6-1), so he might benefit from a trip to Rome. If you don't cut him, swap he and Weigel.
Excess catchers: Schlehuber, Kennelly, Nevarez. All playing little and hitting less. They seem to love Tanner Murphy, but the guy is hitting .151. Not realated to Dale, BTW.
First, three all-star break promotions worth mentioning: Joey Meneses, who had a nearly 20-point lead in the Carolina League batting race, has earned a move to Mississippi (as befits his age, among other things).
Joseph Odom, the catcher who was one of the heroes of last season's Carolina bus crash, deserved better than to have to ride that bus again. Well on his way to a double digit home run season with a healthy bunch of RBIs, he, too, is going to get his first taste of Double-A.
The third is intriguing: Mel Rojas Jr. has moved to Gwinnett. Considered a five-tool player when drafted, those tools had been MIA in recent season. In fact, his first week or two with the Braves looked more like a zero tool player. But he has risen to the occasion, playing errorless defense in his 35-game stint in AA and had a big game to mark his return to AAA. He looks to be very close to being one of the organization's top 30.
Time to go: start with Andrew Thurman (1-6, 6.05 at Mississippi). Last night, he failed to get out of the first inning: it went like this -- walk, stolen base, walk, walk, two-run double, foul out, wild pitch to score run, walk, strikeout/stolen base, intentional walk, walk opposing pitcher for a run. Then Bradley came in and gave up two-run double Thurman, however, was coming off his first win, in which he did not allow a run.
Ryan Clark, Carolina: 0-9, 6.05. He was Danville's winningest pitcher last year (6-1), so he might benefit from a trip to Rome. If you don't cut him, swap he and Weigel.
Excess catchers: Schlehuber, Kennelly, Nevarez. All playing little and hitting less. They seem to love Tanner Murphy, but the guy is hitting .151. Not realated to Dale, BTW.