Talking Chop

Louisville 8, Gwinnett 3

• F. Freeman 1-4 HR(13), .290 Avg
• C. Sammons 1-1 HR(3), .168 Avg
• C. Kimbrel 1IP 1H 2R 2BB 3K 1.89 ERA

There were a bunch of homers hit in this game but just 2 from the Braves as they struggled to get anything done against rehabbing Micah Owings. Freddie Freeman has now hit more homers this month than in any other month. This has come with an increase in his strikeouts but his walk rate is also down a bit this month. I guess I am nitpicking considering his OPS this month is the second highest of the season. This is a classic Craig Kimbrel game. He struck out the side but walked some guys and gave up one hit which was a 2 run homer.

Tennessee 6, Mississippi 7 - Game 1, 7 Innings

• A. Richardson 4-5 2 2B, 2 RBI, SB(14), .303 Avg
• T. Pastornicky 1-2 2B, RBI, BB, SB(4), .321 Avg
• W. Cabrera 2-4 2B, RBI, K, .329 Avg
• A. Machado 3-3 BB, .277 Avg

Mississippi benefits from having 2 guys who are capable leadoff hitters in the 1-2 spots in the order. Antoan Richardson changed this ballclub when he was picked up in June and Tyler Pastornicky is exceeding expectations from everyone right now. Also Willie Cabrera is a man.

Tennessee 4, Mississippi 0 - Game 2,  7 Innings

• Y. Gomez 1-1 2 BB..429 Avg
• C. Johnson 0-3 3K .207 Avg
• R. Delgado 5IP 3H 2R 3BB 5K 3.60 ERA

The Braves managed just one hit in the second game of today's double header and Randall Delgado picked up the loss despite pitching well in his AA debut. Yasser Gomez pick up the only hit for the Braves and was the only player to reach base more than once. Cody Johnson also returned to the Mississippi lineup and did his thing.

Myrtle Beach 7, Frederick 1

• My. Jones 2-4 K, .296 Avg
• C. Harrilchak 2-5 2B, HR(1), 2 RBI, .282 Avg
• D. Nelson 2-4 HR(10), BB, .278 Avg
• J.J. Hoover 7IP 3H 1R 2BB 6K 3.50 ERA

J.J. Hoover came out and dominate the Frederick hitters allowing just 3 hits with the only run coming on a solo homer in the 1st inning. This start caps off a fantastic July that saw J.J. post a 1.21 ERA for the month while allowing just 21 hits in 32 innings and striking out 35. Cory Harrilchak has quietly been really good this month posting a .318/.390/.477 so far. He had a rough first attempt at the Carolina League and still had to adjust some after his second promotion but since the start of July he has been great in the 2-hole for the Pelicans.

Greenville 8, Rome 2

• K. Rose 1-2 .277 Avg
• P. Gosselin 1-3 HR(1), 2 RBI, BB, .320 Avg
• T. Cunningham 2-4 2B, .248 Avg
• C. Perez 2IP 4H 6R 2BB 1K 9.00 ERA

Carlos Perez made his full season debut tonight and was roughed up a bit, though his defense didn't help much (just 2 runs were earned). Phil Gosselin continues to impress me and I wouldn't be surprised to see him move fast next season. Joe Leonard has slowed down a bit after destroying baseball's his first week in Rome. He still has an OPS over .900 in Rome but I would like to see him start taking more free passes. SSS be damned.

Johnson City 5, Danville 6

• J. Mowry 3-5 K, .280 Avg
• A. Simmons 3-4 CS(4), .279 Avg
• D. Rohm 3-4 2B, .342 Avg
• E. Reyes 3-4 2B, K, .277 Avg

Andrleton Simmons has been getting better and better at the plate and may force the Braves to keep him in the field (I don't think they will mind). Simmons is hitting .359 over his last 10 games and has even thrown in a few doubles for good measure. David Rohm is supposed to have a polished bat and so far he is proving it posting an .818 OPS between two levels of play at 20 years old. I try not to get too excited about numbers below High A, but so many of our draftees this year are doing so well it is hard for me to contain myself. Elmer Reyes is another guy slipping under the radar. He is a 19 year old second basemen who has been holding his own in the Appy league after demolishing the GCL in a short stint. He has shown a surprising amount of pop for a guy listed 5' 11" 150LBs. He is another infielder we need to watch out for.

GCL Braves - Off

DSL Blue Jays 0, DSL Braves 3

• G. Reyes 2-3 RBI,.301 Avg
• A. Alcantara 0-2 2 BB, .313 Avg
• R. Briceno 7IP 3H 0R 0BB 7K 2.63 ERA

Rafael Briceno put together a nice start after the Braves had a day away from impending doom. Aris Alcantara really interests me with the way he has been hitting this season, but unfortunately I won't know anything about him till he shows up in camp next spring.