Talking Chop

All-Star Selections

First baseman Barbaro Canizares and left handed pitcher Mike Dunn were selected to represent the International League in the AAA All-Star game. Former Braves farm hand Tyler Flowers was also selected for the team as the starting catcher.

Mississippi had 5 players selected to represent the South Division in the Southern League All-Star game, catcher Orlando Machado, outfielder Willie Cabrera, outfielder Cody Johnson (who was selected as the DH), right handed pitcher Brandon Beachy, and left handed pitcher Mike Minor, who will be unable to play in the game due to his promotion to AAA. Johnson's selection may come as a shock to some, but many Minor Leagues choose to put top prospects in the game in an effort to sell more tickets. If nothing else, he should put on a heck of a show in the Home Run Derby. Of course, he was placed on the DL today, so there's a good chance he won't play in the game anyway.

Gwinnett 4, Toledo 2

So, I was completely wrong when I reported yesterday that Freddie Freeman had a 20 game hitting streak going. He took an 0-fer on the 24th. But he does have a 7 game hitting streak going and is hitting .370 with a 1.233 OPS during that span. He also stole a base for the second straight night, doubling his season total from last year. Mike Minor was outstanding in his AAA debut, limiting a veteran Mudhen lineup over 7.2 innings. He's been much, much better than many expected. In other news, Craig Kimbrel is way too good to be in AAA.

Mississippi 2, Birmingham 1, Game 1

Willie Cabrera continues to excell, rapping out 3 hits and stealing a base. Tim Gustafson had a 5.87 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP in 61.1 AAA innings, and was walking more than he was striking out, so he was the guy who got sent down when Minor was called up. But he was able to dominate tonight and hopefully he'll right his ship at AA.

Mississippi 8, Birmingham 9, Game 2

As a starter Richard Sullivan has a 6.50 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP in 62.1 innings. As a reliever he has a 3.72 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP in 9.2 innings. Obviously, it's a much smaller sample size, but it couldn't hurt to just keep him in the pen and let him build confidence.

Myrtle Beach 4, Kinston 6

In his 2 starts after the All-Star break Randall Delgado has allowed 9 earned runs in 9.2 innings. The odd thing is that he didn't pitch in the All-Star game and he was working on the same amount of rest as usual. Most likely he's just slumping right now and it's a complete coincidence. Myke Jones extended his hitting streak to 7 games.

Rome 2, Greensboro 9

Riann Spanjer-Furstenburg (I don't care what anyone says, I just like writing that) extends his now 4 month hitting streak to 10 games. Ramon Flores returns to Rome with a 2 hit night. He spent all of April with the team before being sent to Extended Spring Training and hit .333 in 8 games for Danville the last few weeks. Caleb Brewer had his first poor start for Rome and after allowing just 1 earned run in his first 3 starts, covering 16 innings, he's allowed 6 earned runs in 8.2 innings over his last 2 starts.

Danville 3, Princeton 6

After hitting .287 with a .732 OPS in 87 at bats for Rome, demoting the 22 year old Jace Whitmer to Danville seemed like an odd move, but he does get to play catcher regularly without Christian Bethancourt getting in the way. He got off to a slow start for the D-Braves, but hopefully his 3 hit day today gets him going. This year's 4th round pick, David Filak, took the tough luck loss tonight, but the big right hander has been great in his 2 starts, allowing just 1 earned run in 8 innings.

GCL Braves 4, GCL Braves 2

Matt Lipka stays hot, with 6 hits in his last 16 at bats. Zeke Spruill made his second rehab start and hopefully he's getting closer to returning to Myrtle Beach. Luis de Luna was stellar, pitching 4 shutout innings to close out the win. The 20 year old Dominican spent the last 3 years in the DSL, racking up a 2.08 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in 73.2 innings there last year.

DSL - Off