Talking Chop

Unimpressive Stat of the Night: Mycal Jones has 30 errors in 53 games at shortstop this season between Rome and Myrtle Beach

Norfolk 10, Gwinnett 2

• M. Young 1-3 SB(17), .307 Avg
• B. Canizares 2-4 HR(6), K, .319 Avg
• J. Reyes 6IP 9H 2R 2BB 8K 5.70 ERA

The Braves gave up 10 runs in a JoJo Reyes start and he was only responsible for 2 of them! The poor guy can't catch a break. He comes out and pitches his best game of the year and then Cory Gearrin follows that by giving up 6 runs while getting only two outs. Freddie Freeman did see his on base streak come to an end tonight after going 0-3 with an RBI. Hopefully he will start a new longer one tomorrow night.

Birmingham 2, Mississippi 6

• E. Duncan 2-3 RBI, K, .295 Avg
• W. Cabrera 1-4 2B, .323 Avg
• J. Thompson 6.1IP 7H 2R 1BB 5K 6.29 ERA

All of Mississippi's starters either got a hit or knocked in a run and Jacob Thompson actually had one of his better starts of the year. Mississippi is now tied for first place in their division for the second half race. The impressive thing about this squad is there really isn't any big prospect on the team anymore. As much as I love Willie Cabrera I'm not sure what his Major League ceiling is going to be. If his power returns to what it was in Myrtle Beach then he is probably a starting left fielder. Outside of that you have a lot of older journeyman types who have been cobbled together to fill vacant roster spots and now they are winning games.

Myrtle Beach 5, Winston-Salem 2

• S. Sime 3-3 BB, .259 Avg
• LV Ware 2-3 2B, RBI, .239 Avg
• JJ Hoover 7IP 4H 0R 1BB 8K 3.83 ERA

JJ Hoover, recently dubbed by Mike Newman of Scouting the Sally as "the most average pitching prospect I have ever seen", put up his second straight fantastic start. Now don't go getting in a huff, because I've seen Hoover and while he knows what he is doing he has pretty average velocity and little to no projection left in his frame. That said I still think he could be useful at some point in the future and outside of the start of the season and a 3 game stint a couple weeks ago he has proven that he can handle this level. Mycal Jones had a game to forget tonight with 3 errors and 4K on an 0-5 line.

Rome 2, Savannah 6

• J. Hanson 2-4 2B, HR(2), 2 RBI, K, .263 Avg
• E. Salcedo 0-4 3K, .182 Avg

Edward Salcedo continues his adjustment period to life and baseball in the United States. The last couple games have been rough and that plate discipline he showed in the DSL hasn't been there yet, but this kid is a premium athlete and I have confidence that he will adjust quickly.

Burlington 3, Danville 4

• E. Gattis 2-4 2B, .341 Avg
• D. Falcon 2-4 HR(3), 3 RBI, .220 Avg
• A. Simmons 1-3 HR(1), .188 Avg
• R. Weber 5IP 3H 1R 0BB 3K 1.04 ERA

Andrelton Simmons finally showed a little life with the bat after convincing the Braves to use him as a SS instead of a pitcher. Evan Gattis is putting together a solid season in his debut after the Braves drafted him out of Texas - Permian Basin. The big issue with him however is he will be 24 at seasons end. Tommy Hanson is 10 days younger than Gattis. Ryan Weber continues to get ground balls with a season GB rate between two levels of 3.65-1 FB. SUPER IMPRESSIVE.

GCL Braves @ GCL Pirates - Postponed

DSL Braves @ DSL Tigers - Not Reported