Talking Chop

For the week Gwinnett went 4-3 (9.5 games back), Mississippi went 3-3 (9 games back), Myrtle Beach went 3-3 (17 games back, finishing last in the Southern Division's first half), Rome went 4-3 (11.5 games back), and the DSL Braves went 3-2 (1 game lead).

Who's Hot?

1. Julio Teheran - 1-0, 7 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 12 K - The Braves best pitching prospect, and possibly the best pitching prospect in the entire game, Teheran just continues to shine. This week he dominated in his lone appearance, striking out 12 in just 7 innings. For the year, between Myrtle Beach and Rome, he's averaging 10.8 strikeouts per 9 innings.
2. LV Ware and Myke Jones - 16-48, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 4 SB - Individually either of them could have made the Hot Sheet, but pair combined to make a potent top of the order threat for the Pelicans, with a .360 OPB and a .860 OPS. These guys are good friends and they feed off each other, making them both better for it.
3. Cory Harrilchak - 10-26, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SB - Harrilchak dominated the Sally League, with a .967 OPS on the week. He spent some time with Myrtle Beach earlier in the year and there's a good chance he'll find himself back there on Thursday when the teams return from the All-Star break.
4. Caleb Brewer - 1-0, 11 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 5 K - The big righthander made an impression in his first full week of the season, providing indication that, with his arm troubles behind him, he's poised to finally fullfil his great promise.
   

Honorable Mentions: Matt Young, Freddie Freeman, Wes Timmons, Cory Gearrin, Steve Marek, Jose Ortegano, JoJo Reyes, Gwinnett; Antoan Richardson, Mauro Gomez, Brandon Beachy,Scott Diamond, Mike Minor, Jesus Sucre,  Mississippi; Angelo Paulino, Randall Delgado, Luis Avilan, Mike Jones, Travis Jones, Yeliar Castro, Paul Clemens, Myrtle Beach; Cory Rasmus, Jeff Lorick, Julio Surinach, Brett DeVall, Robinson Lopez, Christian Bethancourt, Jake Hanson, Kyle Rose, Rome; Eduardo Castillo, Abraham Espinosa, Jesus Saldeno, Edward Salcedo, Hector Garcia, DSL Braves

Who's Not?

1. Matt Crim - 0-1, 1.2 IP, 9 R, 6 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 0 K - A .521 average against, a 32.40 ERA, a 64.67 WHIP. There's no way to spin it positively other than to say that this was just 1 start. For the year he's just not missing enough bats, allowing a .283 average against and an average of 10.08 hits per 9 innings.
   
2. Matt Weaver - 3-21, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 4 K - Like Crim, the numbers just aren't good, beginning with a .143 average and a .407 OPS. Weaver has had a tough year and June has been rough to him, with a .116 average and a .331 OPS for the month. So, unfortunately, this past week was a little bit of an improvement for him.
3. Donell Linares - 3-21, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K - June has actually been pretty decent so far for Linares, but he didn't fare well this week, with a .143 average and a .476 OPS, which was saved some by the fact that 2 of his 3 hits were for extra bases. You'd like to see a 26 year old in AA showing more dominance.
4. Samuel Sime - 4-23, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 5 K, BB - Ironically, Sime showed more pop this week than any other this season, hitting 3 of his 11 extra base hits on the year as well as knocking in nearly a quarter of his total 17 RBI. But a .174 average and a .605 OPS just doesn't cut it at the hot corner.

Dishonorable Mentions: Willie Cabrera, Benino Pruneda, Mike Broadway, Mississippi, Luis Sumoza, Jaye Chapman, Erik Cordier, Lee Hyde, Mississippi, JJ Hoover, Myrtle Beach; Tom Berryhill, Brett DeVall, David Hale, Jace Whitmer, Chris Curley, Jordan Kreke, Chris Lovett, Rome