Richmond Braves (AAA)
Hot: Scott Thorman is still hot at the plate, adding another homerun this week and keeping his average around .300. Shortstop Wes Timmons went on an absolute tear this past week, raising his average 20 points to .310, and adding two more homeruns and five more RBIs. Journey-man starter Travis Smith picked up another win, and now has 33 strikeouts in 32 innings. He provides good emergency depth should the Braves need another starter.
Not: Jonathan Schuerholz went hitless on the week and watched his average slip to .114. Bryan Pena also had a tough week, picking up just one hit and seeing his average dip to .183. Shortstop Luis Hernandez is learning why he was passed over for promotion by Tony Pena and Martin Prado, as he is hitting only .192 without a walk in 73 at-bats.
Notable: James Jurries is on the DL with a knee problem.
Mississippi Braves (AA)
Hot: Outfielder Matt Esquivel had a hell of week, adding two homeruns and seven RBIs and raising his average from .221 to .259. Second baseman Martin Prado continues his good work after being sent down, adding 11 hits on the week to keep his average above .300. Will Startup continues to have a good season, and now has 21 strikeouts and only three walks in 17 innings pitched.
Not: Yunel Escobar is seeing his average climb, but he continues to commit errors, muffing two this week to bring his season total to eight.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A+)
Hot: Matt Harrison continues to pitch well, going 1-1 on the week and lowering his ERA to 2.39 on the season. He has 26 strikeouts against only six walks in a workhorse like 37.2 innings across six starts.
Not: Myrtle Beach may not be the greatest place to judge hitting prowess, but even there hitting .195 is not a good sign. That is the current average of catcher Clint Sammons. Third baseman Van Pope has not fared much better, hitting just .205.
Rome Braves (A-)
Hot: The corner infield power of the R-Braves continued to thrive as Kala Kaaihue slugged out another homerun to bring his season total to six, and third baseman Eric Campbell caught the power bug, going yard three times and driving in 10 runs bringing his totals on the season to five homeruns and 21 RBIs. Minor prospect Ovandy Suero used the last several days to swipe nine more bases to bring his Sally league leading total to 19, having been caught seven times (which also leads the league). Elvis Andrus raised his average from .222 to .255.
Not: Outfielder Jamie Romak was hitting only .136, despite three homeruns and 10 RBIs, when he was sent to extended spring training. Pitcher Jairo Cuevas was 0-2 on the week and saw his ERA go from 4.34 to 6.75. Walks have been a big problem for Cuevas, as he has given up 16 in 25.1 innings.
Notable: Super-prospect Jon Mark Owings joins the club from extended spring training.