Northcraft's No-Hitter, Hale's Gem, And Big Weeks From Ahmed, Terdoslavich, And Peraza Highlight The Atlanta Braves Minor League Hot Sheet

Aaron Northcraft pitched a no-hitter, David Hale pitched a gem, Nick Ahmed, Joey Terdoslavich, and Jose Peraza all had great weeks, while Blake Brown got his career off to a rough start, and Rafael Briceno, Tyler Pastornicky, and Tommy La Stella continued to struggle.

Who's Hot?

Aaron Northcraft RHP, Lynchburg Hillcats - 1-0, 7 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 10 K - In the second game of a doubleheader Friday night, Northcraft pitched a no-hitter, allowing just 2 walks while striking out a season high 10 batters. June has been a great month for the 22 year old right hander, as he's gone 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and a .140 average against in 26 innings over 4 starts, tossing 2 complete games.

Nick Ahmed SS, Lynchburg Hillcats - 6-14, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, SB - Ahmed's 4 hit performance in the first game of a Friday doubleheader highlighted his week, as he finished with an outstanding .429/.500/.929/1.439 slash line. The 22 year old is having a nice season for the Hillcats, hitting .269 with a .345 OBP, a .770 OPS, 21 doubles, 32 RBI, and 21 steals in 271 at bats.

Joey Terdoslavich 1B/3B, Mississippi Braves - 8-14, 2 2B, 3 RBI - Terdoslavich had a great week, hitting .571 with a 1.285 OPS, and after struggling to a .180 average and a .515 OPS in 194 at bats with Gwinnett, he's hitting .355 with a .886 OPS for Mississippi. Just 8 of his 35 hits with Gwinnett went for extra bases, but 9 of his 22 hits with Mississippi have gone for extras.

David Hale RHP, Mississippi Braves - 1-0, 8 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 6 K - Hale had a great outing on Sunday, tossing 8 shutout innings and striking out 6 while walking none. It shouldn't be a surprise that outing came on the road, as the 24 year old has put up a 2.74 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 49.1 innings over 8 road starts compared to a 5.30 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in 35.2 innings over 7 home starts.

Jose Peraza SS, GCL Braves - 9-21 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 8 R, 6 SB - Peraza hit .281 with a .346 OBP, 22 RBI, 29 runs, and 28 steals in 235 at bats in the DSL last year, and the 18 year old Venezuelan got his 2012 off to a great start, hitting .429 with a 1.050 OPS this week, taking the league lead with 6 steals.

Honorable Mention: Cory Gearrin, Luis Durango, Felix Pie, Gwinnett Braves; Gary Moran, Jason Christian, Ian Gac, Mississippi Braves; Matt Lipka, Myke Jones, Lynchburg Hillcats; John Cornely, Robby Hefflinger, Chase Anselment, Jarrett Miller, Elmer Reyes, Tony Mueller, Rome Braves; Mauricio Cabrera, Frank Lafreniere, Trenton Moses, Edison Sanchez, Josh Elander, Ernesto Silva, Aris Alcantara, Felix Marte, Danville Braves; Richie Tate, GCL Braves

Who's Not?

Blake Brown OF, Danville Braves - 4-23, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 14 K - The Braves knew Brown was raw when they drafted him in the 5th round this year, and the 20 year old showed that in his first week of pro ball, struggling to a .174 average while striking out in 61% of his at bats.

Rafael Briceno RHP, Danville Braves - 5.1 IP, 8 R, 7 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 3 K - Rafael Briceno started the year with Rome, but the 21 year old Venezuelan was the worst pitcher in the league, wit a 6.55 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP in 67.1 innings. Things didn't go much better for him in his first start with Danville, as he allowed 8 runs, 7 earned, in 5.1 innings of work.

Eduardo Castillo RHP, Danville Braves - 0-1, 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K - Castillo also had a poor start for Danville, as the 21 year old Dominican allowed 7 earned runs without making it out of the fifth inning. Now in his fourth year of pro ball, he put up a 5.17 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP in 54 innings in the GCL last year.

Tyler Pastornicky SS, Gwinnett Braves - 6-28, 3 2B, RBI - Half of Pastornicky's hits this week were doubles, but he still managed just a .214 average and a .535 OPS. He's struggling against righties in AAA, hitting .219 with a .551 OPS in 73 at bats, compared to a .375 average and a .943 OPS in 24 at bats against lefties.

Tommy La Stella 2B, Lynchburg Hillcats - 1-13, HR, 4 RBI, BB, SB - La Stella's lone hit this week was a solo homer, and he actually managed to drive in 3 other runs without getting a hit, but he still managed a meager .077 average and a .451 OPS for the week. Since hitting .361 with a 1.059 OPS in April, the 23 year old is hitting .231 with a .668 OPS.

Dishonorable Mention: Jose Lugo, DJ Carrasco, Stefan Gartrell, Gwinnett Braves; Zeke Spruill, Mississippi Braves; David Rohm, Dimasther Delgado, Adam Milligan, Lynchburg Hillcats; Brandon Drury, Rome Braves