The Braves' Minor League system is buzzing with activity, particularly with the recent performances of several standout players. One of the most notable figures is AJ Smith-Shawver, who is making a strong comeback after his Tommy John Surgery. Smith-Shawver's rehab assignment in Augusta saw him pitch three impressive innings, touching 98 mph with his fastball and showcasing sharp pitches, despite some command issues. His performance was so compelling that he was brought back for a third inning, although he did concede a home run in the process. This is a significant step forward in his recovery, and it's heartening to see him regain his form so quickly.
In other news, the Gwinnett Stripers had a close encounter with the Durham Bulls, ultimately falling short by a run. Drue Hackenberg, who was making his third start for Gwinnett, had a mixed outing. While he missed bats at an impressive rate, his command was inconsistent, leading to four walks. This was a blip on the radar for Hackenberg, who has been a consistent performer this season, with his pitches looking sharper and better controlled than last year. The Stripers' offense, led by Brett Wisely and Jose Azocar, mounted a comeback, but the bullpen couldn't hold on, resulting in a narrow defeat.
Meanwhile, the Columbus Clingstones had a rough month, with a 9-13 record and the second-worst scoring offense in the Southern League. However, Patrick Clohisy has been a bright spot, putting up a tremendous month with an .850 OPS and 11 stolen bases. Clohisy's performance has moved him up to second in the league in stolen bases and has helped him maintain an overall league-average performance. Brett Sears, on the other hand, has had a rough patch, struggling with command and allowing two home runs in his last two starts. Despite this, Sears remains a promising prospect, with a fifth starter ceiling and a command that has been at a level that overcomes most of his issues.
The Rome Emperors, led by Owen Carey, had a successful outing against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Carey, who was on a six-game hitting streak, hit a double to clear the bases and a home run in the same game, showcasing his power and speed. Aiven Cabral, the starting pitcher, had one of his best games of the season, covering seven innings with no earned runs allowed, becoming the first minor league pitcher to reach 10 wins this season. The Augusta GreenJackets also had a notable game, with AJ Smith-Shawver making his first rehab appearance and dominating in three innings, and Carter Holton following up with a solid performance, despite some command issues.
In the FCL Braves, Victor Duarte has been on a striking streak, with 19 strikeouts in his past 11 innings across three outings. Duarte's performance has been particularly impressive, considering his age and the level of competition. The DSL Braves, meanwhile, had a dominant performance against the DSL LAD Bautista, with Martires Polanco allowing only three earned runs all season and tying his season high with seven strikeouts. Jose Manon and Jorwin Pulido have also been standouts, with Manon adding eight extra-base hits and Pulido stealing 12 bases in 20 games.
