Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have experienced just one full season at the professional level.
“Both of them are young puppies, but you will continue to see them progress,” Pendleton said. “If they continue to grow the way they have, I think you will see them in the big leagues.”
Gil, who ranks as the Braves' No. 14 prospect, and Guanipa, who ranks No. 15 on the same list, were the two highest ranked Braves position player prospects to participate in this year’s event. Both should begin this season where they ended last season, with Single-A Augusta.
Both prospects produced a near .800 OPS in the Florida Complex League before receiving a promotion. With the elimination of short-season Rookie-level teams, they made the jump to the Single-A ranks and struggled. Guanipa had a .450 OPS in 32 games and Gil had a .552 OPS over 39 games.
This was a humbling experience for Guanipa, who received a $2.5 million signing bonus. Gil has successfully played the underdog role since receiving a far more meager $110,000 signing bonus.
“We knew what we were sending there,” Pendleton said. “We knew it was going to be kids that weren't going to get crushed by this. Some kids lose confidence and they're done. You have to be real sensitive with certain kids. You can't send them there knowing that if they fail or don't succeed, they're done. These two kids will fight you, too, until they’ve got nothing left, you know? We knew they would bounce back if they had success or didn't have success.”
Gil started at shortstop on Sunday and went 1-for-3 with an infield single. He exited under his own power after seemingly pulling a left leg muscle while attempting to beat out a grounder in the sixth. Guanipa batted ninth and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout while playing center field.
Three of Sunday’s pitchers ranked among the Braves’ Top 12 prospects. Here is a look at how they did:
RHP JR Ritchie (Braves No. 8 prospect): The 21-year-old right-hander’s parents were among the friends and family members who flew from the Seattle area to see him start this game. They were treated to seeing him work a perfect first inning against three players from MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list -- Max Clark (No. 6), Kevin McGonigle (No. 28) and Thayron Liranzo (No. 81).
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Ritchie ended the first inning by striking out Liranzo with a 97 mph fastball. The young hurler, who was taken with the 35th overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft, allowed two runs, surrendered five hits and recorded a pair of strikeouts in three innings of work. He missed most of the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“It was a great experience all around,” Ritchie said. “I loved it and I felt great. It was everything I thought it would be.”
RHP Garrett Baumann (Braves No. 9 prospect): The 6-foot-8 pitcher towers over Isaiah Drake, his 6-foot roommate last year. Drake playfully got under Baumann’s skin in the dugout last year. The tall pitcher responded with an impressive performance over the remainder of that outing.
“He wasn’t happy about what [Drake] did, so I asked him a question,” Pendleton said. “'Why don’t you take that to the mound with you?' You could tell what he has to offer. At times, it seemed like he wasn’t sure of himself. I said, ‘Hey we need to see that bulldog on the mound.'”
Baumann’s inexperience and nerves were on display as he walked five of the 10 hitters he faced on Sunday. He flashed his potential with a 98 mph fastball that he will try to harness as he likely begins the upcoming season with High-A Rome.
RHP Didier Fuentes (Braves No. 12 prospect): The 19-year-old hurler was added to Atlanta’s roster Sunday and he took advantage of the chance to shine. He flashed an upper 90s fastball while recording three strikeouts in a scoreless seventh and added two more strikeouts in a scoreless eighth. He finished his outing with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth, finishing his day with a game-high 7 K's.
Supervising Club Reporter Mark Bowman has covered the Braves for MLB.com since 2001.
They're due! MiLB's longest active title droughts
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Aviators® open the 2025 season with a nine-game homestand against Reno & Sacramento from March 28 - April 6 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – March 24, 2025 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, will host intrastate rival, the Reno Aces, Triple-Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in the 2025 season and home opener of Friday, March 28 at 7:05
Aviators® J.T. Ginn Named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week (March 24-30)
(Las Vegas, NV) – March 31, 2025 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, today announced that J.T. Ginn was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week (March 24-30). The right-hander started the 2025 season and home
Select Las Vegas Aviators® Games to be broadcast on the Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network (SSSEN) & FOX 5!
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (March 24, 2025) – The Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network (SSSEN), FOX5 and the Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A Affiliate of the Athletics, are teaming up again to broadcast select games for the 2025 season. Fans in Southern Nevada will be able to tune-in and catch the
2025 Big League Weekend Recap (March 8-9): Arizona vs. Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark
2025 BIG LEAGUE WEEKEND RECAP: Saturday, March 8: The Athletics defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-2, in game one of the Big League Weekend Spring Training two-game series before a sellout crowd of 8,708 at Las Vegas Ballpark. Athletics left-hander JP Sears recorded the victory. He pitched 3.0 innings and allowed
KVVU FOX5 and the Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network to Broadcast Big League Weekend Games in Las Vegas
(Las Vegas, NV) – March 3, 2025 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today that the Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network (SSSEN) and KVVU FOX5 will televise the Spring Training two-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark®
Minor League Baseball's 2025 Triple-A National Championship Game Set for Saturday, September 27th in Las Vegas
Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced that the 2025 Triple-A National Championship Game, which will feature the winners of the International League and Pacific Coast League meeting in a single-game format, will be played on Saturday, September 27th in Las Vegas. The Triple-A National Championship Game, which will follow the
Fran Riordan Returns as Manager for 2025 Campaign; Aviators® Season Opener on Friday, March 28 vs. Reno at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – February 5, 2025 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today, in conjunction with the A’s Communications Department, that Fran Riordan will return for his eighth season as manager for the A’s Triple-A affiliate
Las Vegas Aviators® donate team merchandise valued at $500,000 to five local nonprofits
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS@ DONATE TEAM MERCHANDISE VALUED AT $500,000 TO FIVE LOCAL NONPROFITS Project 150, Family Promise of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Opportunity Village, and Ronald McDonald House each receive merchandise valued at $100,000 to benefit their organizations and respective clients Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/uXNqb7EfG6iRnXHB9 Las Vegas, Nev (Dec. 27,
2025 Big League Weekend features: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Athletics on Saturday-Sunday, March 8-9 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – (September 30, 2024) – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today two games for the 2025 Big League Weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark®. The Arizona Diamondbacks will face the Athletics on Saturday-Sunday, March 8-9.
2025 Aviators® Individual Game Tickets Public on Sale - Mon., Nov. 4 via aviatorslv.com; 2025 Big League Weekend (Arizona vs. Athletics, Sat-Sun, March 8-9) Individual Game Tickets Public on Sale - Wed., Nov. 6 via aviatorslv.com
(Las Vegas, NV) – November 4, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today that individual game tickets for the 2025 season will go public on sale today at noon on aviatorslv.com. Groups and hospitality packages are
Matt Neverett Named 2024 Nevada Sportscaster of the Year
(Las Vegas, NV) – January 7, 2025 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, announced today in conjunction with Dave Goren, Executive Director of the National Sports Media Association (NSMA), that play-by-play broadcaster Matt Neverett was named the 2024
Minor League Baseball Announces 2024 Triple-A League Awards & All-Star Teams; Five Aviators Players Represented: Allen, Alvarez, Díaz, Holman, Thomas!
Click here for the 2024 Triple-A League Awards and All-Star Teams Press Release
2024 Triple-A National Championship Game on Saturday, September 28 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
September 25, 2024 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the official start time for the 2024 Triple-A Championship Game, set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:09 p.m. PT/10:09 ET, at Las Vegas Ballpark in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Triple-A Championship Game will see the winners of the International League
AVIATORS® ANNOUNCE SEASON AWARDS FOR 2024 CAMPAIGN; INF NICK ALLEN RECIPIENT OF THE MAYOR'S TROPHY
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 20, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, announced today the 2024 season awards for the players. The Las Vegas franchise has been a member of the Pacific Coast League for 41 years (1983-2020, 2022-23) and one
Aviators® INF/OF Logan Davidson Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (September 9-15)
(Las Vegas, NV) – – September 16, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that INF/OF Logan Davidson was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (September 9-15) for the second time this
Aviators® Host El Paso Chihuahuas in final homestand of regular season from Tuesday-Saturday, September 17-22 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 14, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the El Paso Chihuahuas, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, in the opener of the six-game series on Tuesday, September 17
Aviators® Catcher Carlos Pérez Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (September 2-8)
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 9, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that catcher Carlos Pérez was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (September 2-8). Pérez is the sixth Aviators player
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES AUGUST PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH; Aviators® INF Nick Allen & LHP Brady Basso earn PCL Honors!
Sept. 5, 2024 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for August in Major League Baseball’s player development system. International League (Triple-A) Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays) outfielder Alan Roden batted .354/.411/.594 and led the league in hits (34) and total bases
Aviators® INF/OF Logan Davidson Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 26 - September 1)
(Las Vegas, NV) – September 2, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that infielder/outfielder Logan Davidson was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 26 – September 1). Davidson is the
Aviators® Host Round Rock Express in six-game homestand from Tuesday-Sunday, September 3-8 at Las Vegas Ballpark®
(Las Vegas, NV) – August 31, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers, in the opener of the six-game series on
Aviators® INF/OF Ryan Noda Named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 12-18)
(Las Vegas, NV) – August 19, 2024 – The Las Vegas Aviators® professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, today announced that infielder/outfielder Ryan Noda was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (August 12-18). Noda is the fourth Aviators player