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.
Shellenback shined during lengthy PCL career
A host of players have piled up astonishing accomplishments over long professional careers on the diamond without making a lasting impression on the game's most celebrated stage. Monsters of the Minors, presented by Uncle Ray's, provides introductions to Minor League legends sometimes overlooked by fans of baseball history.
Fresno's Young motivated to empower others
During Minor League Baseball’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and #ForTheLoveOfBéisbol from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Más Allá del Diamante will feature a Hispanic, Latino, Latina and Latinxs leader from an MiLB community. In this edition, we visit with Jazzmine Young, partnership services manager for the Fresno Grizzlies (Fresno
Fun facts about Triple-A championships
A championship by any other name would still be as sweet to win. And at the Triple-A level, there have been a lot of names. From the first Little World Series in 1904 to the Triple-A National Championship Game fans know today, hundreds of prospects and farmhands have played for
Welcome, citizens: I-Cubs tradition carries on
A pandemic, social upheaval and myriad natural disasters during a tumultuous presidential election cycle may obscure the point, but nonetheless: The United States of America is a desirable place to live. Every year, the Triple-A Iowa Cubs stage a unique ballpark event that makes this sentiment abundantly clear. Since 2009,
El Paso's Rodriguez a model of success, inspiration
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Lunes de Legacy, presented by Nationwide, shines a spotlight on Hispanic, Latino, Latina and Latinx stories throughout MiLB of those who have forged an impressive path and left a legacy in their wake. These individuals have inspired a new generation, currently writing their own
El Paso continues to honor innovative Diablos
When it launched fully in 2018, Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative was based on a mission of community service, inclusiveness and engagement with Latinx fans across the MiLB landscape. In some markets, that’s been a critical thread in franchise identities for decades. In the Southwest, teams have
5-7-5: River Cats' broadcaster pens book of haiku
This past March, Johnny Doskow's long-established baseball routines were completely upended by COVID-19. This was the case for everyone, of course, but Doskow used his newfound free time in a particularly unique manner. The longtime voice of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats penned and summarily self-published his debut book of
Jolley gave smiles to generations of PCL fans
A host of players have piled up astonishing accomplishments over long professional careers on the diamond without making a lasting impression on the game's most celebrated stage. Monsters of the Minors, presented by Uncle Ray's, provides introductions to Minor League legends sometimes overlooked by fans of baseball history.
Chihuahuas help local food bank achieve mission
The El Paso Chihuahuas have partnered with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger for as long as the team has been an existence, establishing ties with the nearby food bank during the team's inaugural season of 2014. From hosting staff volunteer events to conducting food drives at the ballpark, the Chihuahuas have
2020 Minor League Baseball season shelved
Statement from Pacific Coast League President Branch Rickey “Today is a momentous day. The first season cancellation in the 118-year history of the Pacific Coast League. But there is some good to be gleaned from what is obviously an overall very disappointing announcement. “The good that comes to my mind,
Toolshed: Recent noteworthy PCL seasons
This space started honoring the short-season leagues after their respective campaigns were delayed in June. Now following the cancellation of all Minor League Baseball in 2020, we're turning it into an appreciation of the full-season circuits as well. In the coming weeks, Toolshed is revisiting the 10 most notable individual
Chihuahuas lend hand to El Paso nonprofits
Brad Taylor was not worried about a lack of responsiveness when he asked his fellow El Paso Chihuahuas employees to volunteer for the community during this pandemic. No, he knew that they were hankering to pitch in however they could. "They jumped at the opportunity to help and realized it
A's deal speedster Mateo to Padres
In the first move since the Major League roster freeze was lifted last week, the A's shipped their No. 7 prospect, infielder Jorge Mateo, to the Padres for a player to be named or cash considerations. The native of the Dominican Republic is coming off a season in which he
Did you know? Pacific Coast League edition
When it comes to size, scope and longevity, few, if any, sporting bodies can rival Minor League Baseball. With 160 teams in nearly as many markets, there are innumerable nooks and crannies to explore. This marks the second installment in a series dedicated to such explorations, providing one unique, weird,
Mask-making operation is all Aces for Reno
Eric Edelstein had the impulse to pitch in but wasn't exactly sure how."The idea came from trying to do the most good in this time," the Reno Aces president said. "And the two things that I was bouncing against my thought process was supporting our health care workers -- understanding
For nearly 80 years, Arlett's power stood unmatched
A host of players have piled up astonishing accomplishments over long professional careers on the diamond without making a lasting impression on the game's most celebrated stage. This series, Monsters of the Minors, provides introductions to Minor League legends sometimes overlooked by fans of baseball history. In baseball, two-way talents
Sounds good: Nashville embraces rich heritage
With so much focus year after year on the newest and wildest rebranding projects in Minor League Baseball, MiLB.com takes a look at the flip side. This spring and summer, we will be profiling teams with some of the longest continually used nicknames in each league. Next up: the Pacific
Marlins option Harrison, Neidert to Triple-A
Two of the Marlins' top 10 prospects are heading to Triple-A Wichita.Outfielder Monte Harrison, ranked ninth in the system, and right-hander Nick Neidert (No. 10) have been optioned to the Pacific Coast League, the team announced Saturday.
Top prospects among Marlins re-assignments
The Marlins got an excellent look at the future of the franchise during the first month of Spring Training. But the time has come for some potential stars of tomorrow to head back to the Minor League incubator.Top 100 prospects JJ Bleday, Jazz Chisholm and Jesús Sánchez headline a group
Marlins option Sanchez in first wave of cuts
Sixto Sanchez has a bright future ahead, but he'll have to wait a bit to make his first pitch for the Marlins.Miami's top prospect was optioned to Triple-A Wichita along with 19th-ranked Jorge Guzman on Friday as the club made its first 10 roster cuts of Spring Training. Fifth-ranked Edward Cabrera
Adell, Marsh heading back to Angels camp
A preview of the Angels' outfield of the future could be on display when Cactus League games start in three weeks.Los Angeles on Friday extended Spring Training invitations to 19 non-roster players, including top prospects Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh. It will be the second year in a row the
D-backs acquire Beasley from Angels
The D-backs acquired Angels No. 18 prospectJeremy Beasley in exchange for Major League right-hander Matt Andriese on Tuesday. Los Angeles designated Minor League right-hander Luis Madero for assignment to make room for Andriese on its 40-man roster.Beasley posted a 4.06 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 102 strikeouts over 108 2/3 innings
Cardinals deal for Rays lefty Liberatore
It may be the middle of winter, but the hot stove has reignited.In the first major trade of the calendar year, the Cardinals acquired 2018 first-rounder Matthew Liberatore from the Rays. Catching prospect Edgardo Rodriguez and a Competitive Balance Round B selection (66th overall) also will head to St. Louis,
Simmons sped through Minors before Hall
SAN DIEGO -- Ted Simmons learned a lesson pretty quickly at the start of his professional baseball career. It's a lesson prospects such as Wander Franco, Luis Robert and another switch-handed catcher in Adley Rutschman pick up to this day.In the Minor Leagues, have bat, will travel. Simmons' next stop: