Patrick Weigel, Dustin Peterson earn Braves’ Organizational Player of the Year honors

The Atlanta Braves handed out their minor league pitcher and player of the year award honors on Friday with Patrick Wiegel and Dustin Peterson taking top honors.

Peterson had an exceptional year at Mississippi batting .282 with 12 homers and 88 RBIs. He scored 65 runs and had 38 doubles. Peterson was named to the Southern League’s Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star teams. Peterson led all of the Braves’ minor leaguers in RBIs, hits and doubles.

There was a lot of competition for the Pitcher of the Year honor at Rome but Patrick Weigel was the best of the lot. Wiegel tied for second in the organization with 152 strikeouts and lead Rome in wins, ERA and strikeouts. Over his final five starts at Rome he was a perfect 5-0 with an 0.85 ERA. He ended his season with an 11-6 record and a 2.47 ERA between Rome and Mississippi.

Other players who were recognized were:

Gwinnett Braves Pitcher of the Year - RHP Rob Wooten

Rob Wooten made 35 appearances with Gwinnett and finished with a 3-5 record and a 3.58 ERA. He was lights out to start the season compiling a 1.80 ERA and 39 strikeouts over his first 45 innings. He combined with Matt Marksberry and Jose Ramirez to throw a no-hitter against Louisville on June 30.

Gwinnett Braves Player of the Year - 3B Rio Ruiz

Front office officials challenged Rio Ruiz at the conclusion of his first season as a member of the Braves organization. Ruiz answered the call in his first season at Triple-A batting .271 with 10 homers and 62 RBIs. He led the team with 24 doubles and committed just seven errors at third base this season.

Mississippi Braves Pitcher of the Year - Rob Whalen

Rob Whalen had quite a season that spanned games at Double-A, Triple-A and the major league level. Whalen made 18 starts for Mississippi and finished 7-5 with a 2.49 ERA to go along with 94 strikeouts in 104 innings. He was called up by the Braves on August 3 and won his Major League debut. His season ended on August 25 when he was placed on the disabled list due to shoulder fatigue.

Carolina Mudcats Pitcher of the Year - Matt Withrow

Matt Withrow took a big step forward in his second professional season leading Carolina in wins while compiling a 3.80 ERA. He struck out 131 batters which was the fifth best total in the Braves organization. Withrow allowed three runs or less in 21 of his 25 appearances this season.

Carolina Mudcats Player of the Year - OF Keith Curcio

Keith Curcio did a bit of everything for the Carolina offense batting .271 with 67 runs scored, 29 doubles, 54 RBI and 24 stolen bases. He led the Mudcats in runs, hits, doubles, triples and stolen bases. His 29 doubles were the fourth most in the organization.

Rome Braves Player of the Year - 3B Austin Riley

Austin Riley came into the season as a highly touted prospect and overcame a slow start to help lead Rome to the South Atlantic League playoffs. Riley batted .252 with three home runs and 26 RBI over his first 63 games. After the All-Star break he hit .289 with 17 homers, 21 doubles and 54 RBI over the final 66 games. He led all Braves minor leaguers in homers and doubles and was second in slugging percentage.

Danville Braves Pitcher of the Year - Jhon Martinez

Martinez surrendered two earned runs or fewer over 10 of his 12 starts on the season. He established new career-highs in wins, starts, innings and strikeouts.

Danville Braves Player of the Year - 1B Ramon Osuna

The Braves selected Osuna in the 14th round of the 2016 Drft. He spent his first professional season at Danville and batted .276 with 16 extra-base hits and 28 RBI in 47 games. He hit .348 over his first 33 games as a professional and was second on the team in doubles, homers and RBI.

GCL Pitcher of the Year - Kyle Muller

Muller earned the Gulf Coast League Braves Pitcher of the Year honor after allowing two earned runs over 27 ²⁄₃ innings pitched. Muller allowed just 14 hits and 12 walks while striking out 38 batters. Both of the earned runs he allowed came in his second professional start, he did not allow an earned run in his other nine appearances this season.

GCL Player of the Year - C Anthony Concepcion

Concepcion led the GCL Braves in doubles, homers and RBI and drew 22 walks while striking out just 35 times in 53 games. He hit .272 overall with a .358 on base percentage.

DSL Pitcher of the Year - Filyer Sanchez

Sanchez finished his second season with the DSL Braves with a 3-1 record and a 2.01 ERA in 19 appearances. He led the team with five saves in 44 ²⁄₃ innings of work.

DSL Player of the Year - OF Raysheandall Michel

Michel began the season with the DSL Braves and batted .316 with five doubles and five triples in 39 games. He earned a mid-season call up to the Gulf Coast League and hit a combined .272 between the two clubs.