Talking Chop

The Thanksgiving holiday and laziness have conspired to make this wrap-up much less weekly than originally planned, so instead of updating you on what Braves players toiling in Winter Ball have done over the last week, we'll get you up to date on how they're performed overall to this point.

The Arizona Fall League finished up on November 20th, and Cory Harrilchak was the Braves' top performer. The outfielder hit .333 with a .952 OPS, 3 doubles, 3 homers, and 11 RBI in 75 at bats. Infielder Tyler Pastornicky hit .278 with a .649 OPS in 54 at bats, ending his season with a minor leg injury. First baseman Freddie Freeman went 2-16 before a thumb injury forced an early end to his season. Cory Gearrin was the Braves' top pitcing performer in the AFL, as the sidearming righty had a 3.93 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 18.1 relief innings. Benino Pruneda was a late addition to the AFL, and pitched poorly, with a 14.21 ERA and a 3.48 WHIP in 6.1 innings, though he did strike out 9 batters. Michael Broadway struggled as well, with a 10.13 ERA and a 2.06 WHIP in 5.1 innings before his season ended early with a minor injury. Erik Cordier was only able to make 2 starts before an injury ending his season, and he finished with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.60 WHIP in 5 innings.

Jairo Asencio, formerly known as Luis Valdez, is pitching fairly well in the Dominican Winter League for Este. The righty has a 3.57 ERA, a 1.75 WHIP, and 5 saves in 17.2 innings. TeammateMauro Gomez has played well, as the first baseman has a .291 average, .800 OPS, 4 doubles, 4 homers, and 21 RBI in 117 plate appearances. Outfielder Wilkin Ramirez has struggled for Este, hitting just .130 with a 421 OPS in 23 at bats, but fellow outfielder Jose Constanza, new to the Braves organization, has excelled, hitting .357 with a .849 OPS, 4 triples, 7 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 98 at bats. Infielder Diory Hernandez is excelling for Escogido, hitting .337 with a .850 OPS, 6 doubles, 2 homers, and 11 RBI in 86 at bats. Teammate Wilkin Castillo, also new to the Braves, has hit .277 with a .713 OPS, 7 doubles, 2 homers, and 13 RBI. Juan Abreu has pitched well in limited appearances for Aguilas, with a 0.00 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and a save in 2 innings. Crithian Martinez has pitched well for Licey, with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 8 innings. Lefty Mariano Gomez has struggled for Cibao, with a 13.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 2 innings over 5 appearances.

More after the jump:

Outfielder Matt Young continues to rake for Navojoa in the Mexican Winter League, with a .358 average, .961 OPS, 8 doubles, 5 home runs, 24 RBI, and 7 stolen bases in 165 at bats. He only hit 3 home runs in 487 at bats for Gwinnett this season. Tim Gustafson has struggled in Navojoa's rotation, with a 0-4 record, a 7.41 ERA, and a 1.65 WHIP in 34 innings. Teammate Jason Lowey hasn't fared much better out of the bullpen, with a 6.48 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP in 8.1 innings, though he has struck out 11 batters. First baseman Barbaro Canizares continues to dominate for Obregon, with a .320 average, .915 OPS, 3 doubles, 6 homers, and 30 RBI in 125 at bats. 

Lefty Jose Ortegano has pitched well for Carolina in the Venezuelan Winter League, with a 1.74 ERA, a a 0.97 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. Catcher Jesus Sucre was 0-2 in his lone game for Carolina. JC Boscan has seen limited time for Margarita, hitting .217 with a .525 OPS in 23 at bats. Infielder Luis Bolivar has hit .230 with a .540 OPS in 61 at bats for Zulia. Steven Marke pitched well in 3.1 innings for Laredo, with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. Teammate Luis Avilan has a 5.63 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in 16 innings.

Catcher Orlanco Mercado has played well for Carolina in the Puerto Rican Winter League, hitting .290 with a .852 OPS, 6 doubles, and 12 RBI in 69 at bats. In the Australian Winter League, lefty Steve Kent has put up a 6.35 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 11.1 innings for Canberra. Catcher Matt Kennelly has struggled for Perth, hitting .176 with a .535 OPS in 51 at bats. Peter Molyan must have simply been Melbourne's mascot, since the sidearming righty hasn't appeared in a game for the team.

Minor League Notes

Third baseman Wes Timmons has signed with the Oakland Athletics as a Minor League free agent. The 31 year old was originally drafted by the Braves in the 8th round of the 2002 draft and spent the last 5 seasons playing AAA for the Braves, hitting .273 with a .760 OPS in 1908 at bats over that span, while twice being named an All-Star. Timmons was a team leader and the epitome of Braves baseball. We at Talking Chop certainly wish him the best of luck with the A's.

The Braves have released pitchers Jamie Hayes and Edigson Mora, catcher Chris Anderson, first baseman Alberto Odreman, third baseman Sammy Sime, and outfielder Luis Sumoza. Hayes was selected in the 48th round of the 2009 draft and in two seasons the 24 year old righty combined for a 3.82 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP in 33 innings, playing as high as Danville. Mora was signed out of the Dominican Republic, and in three seasons the 23 year old righty had a 2.46 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 120.2 innings, playing as high as Danville. Anderson was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2007, and in 283 plate appearances over four seasons, reaching as high as Mississippi, the 25 year old hit .201 with a .615 OPS. The 21 year old Odreman was signed out of Venezuela and in four seasons, reaching as high as Rome, he hit .254 with a .746 OPS in 695 plate appearances. Sime was signed out of the Dominican Republic and in five seasons, reaching as high as Myrtle Beach, the 23 year old hit .254 with a .648 OPS in 1465 plate appearances. The Braves acquired the 22 year old Sumoza from the Red Sox in 2008 in exchange for Mark Kotsay, and in three and a half seasons with the organization he hit .248 with a .642 OPS in 861 plate appearances.