INSIDE • G-Braves 2014 schedule and promotions................................. 3 • Seating chart, ticket options and directions to Coolray Field......... 4 • Coaches bios.......................... 6 • New manager Snitker at home in Gwinnett................................. 7 • Top Braves prospect Bethancourt just a few hits from Atlanta.......... 8 • Schlosser making steady strides through organization.................. 9 • Likely candidates to see time with the G-Braves this season..... 10-11 • Prospect Northcraft surviving recent trials.............................. 12 • Big-hitting LaStella has struggled to stay on the field............ 13 • Brookwood grad Sims ready to get back on fast track............... 14 • Graham hoping to make up for lost 2013 season...................... 15 • Individuals were highlight in forgettable 2013....................... 16 • Arms races continues in IL, off the field.................................... 17
G-Braves in the GDP The Gwinnett Daily Post’s print coverage of the Gwinnett Braves is just the start of the coverage offered by the GDP. Beat writer Ben Beitzel, with the team since its move to Gwinnett, supplements the daily print coverage online, giving readers an active source for breaking news, roster changes, pre-game notes and analysis and thoughts all on www.gwinnettdailypost.com. Beyond the blog, the GDP’s Twitter account, www.twitter.com/gdpbraves, is the fastest source for scores, in-game information and links to new online posts, stories and other G-Braves related news. The Twitter account is also the best way to ask questions and provide feedback.
On the radio From the first pitch the Gwinnett Braves ever threw, Tony Schiavone has been behind the microphone and for the sixth season of G-Braves baseball the longtime broadcaster is back. Every Gwinnett Braves game will air live, though the source is up in the air after WDUN 550-AM decided not to partner with the G-Braves for the sixth season to air every game. Games will at least be available on www.gwinnettbraves.com. WSB sports director Schiavone, the former professional wrestling announcer, tweets on G-Braves and other topics at www.twitter.com/tonyschiavone24.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 • 5
AT THE HELM
Brian Snitker Position: Manager Age: 58 Home: Lilburn Background: A member of the Atlanta Braves organization since 1977, Snitker returns to his managerial duties with the Gwinnett Braves after spending six seasons as the third base coach of the Atlanta Braves … Managed his first team in 1982 with Class A Anderson in the South Atlantic League. … Played catcher in the Braves minor league system for four seasons. … In 17 seasons as a minor league manager across all levels, Snitker compiled a career record of 1,140-1,145. … Led the Myrtle Beach Pelicans to back-to-back Class AAdvanced Carolina League Championships in 1999 and 2000. … Two-time Carolina League manager of the year.
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Marty Reed Position: Pitching coach Age: 52 Home: Albemarle, N.C. Background: Enters his fourth year as Gwinnett Braves pitching coach after spending previous two with Class AA Mississippi Braves … He watched over the development of Julio Teheran and Mike Minor, both major league pitchers with the Atlanta Braves… Spent 10 seasons with the L.A. Dodgers, including working at the team’s minor league pitching coordinator from 2006-08 … Spent three seasons as the head coach at Pfeiffer University and was on the staff at the University of Tampa when the program won consecutive Division III National Championships.
Jamie Garey Ingram Position: Hitting coach Age: 43 Home: Columbus Background: Spent the past four seasons as the hitting coach for the Class AA Mississippi Braves. … M-Braves ranked third in Southern League in batting average in 2013 under his guidance. … Replacing Jaime Dismuke, the only hitting coach of the G-Braves, who replaces Ingram in Mississippi. … Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Middle Georgia Community College in 1989, playing 14 years as a professional, including three seasons in the major leagues. … Oversaw the development of current Atlanta Braves Evan Gattis, Tyler Pastornicky, Andrelton Simmons and Joey Terdoslavich.
Snitker coming home By Ben Beitzel
ben.beitzel@ gwinnettdailypost.com
He’s not from Gwinnett County, but Brian Snitker’s been here long enough to earn honorary citizenship. The new manager of the Gwinnett Braves has lived in Gwinnett and the Lilburn area long enough to send his children to Brookwood High School and have his parents also live in the county. His mother lives “literally five minutes” from Coolray Field. So if Snitker was going to make a career move out of major league baseball, coming home is the best path to take. “This is a great opportunity for me,” Snitker said of becoming the third manager of the Gwinnett Braves. “I get to live at home. It was a good fit for me.” Following last season’s playoff exit to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Braves decided to not retain one-year manager Randy Ready and general manager Frank Wren and Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez told Snitker their plan for the team’s third base coach of the past seven seasons. “At the time, I didn’t have to stay,” Snitker said. “I could have gone somewhere else and pursued another major league job or a job with another organization. In talking to Frank and Fredi, I have been here (with the Braves) for 37, 38 years. I am getting to that age where I am not looking to start over anywhere.” Snitker knows no other organization. A 1977 draft pick by the Braves, Snitker played four professional seasons before transitioning to coach in 1981 and taking his first managerial
Gwinnett Braves manager Brian Snitker shares a laugh with general manager North Johnson during a media event held at Coolray Field this winter. (Photo: Kyle Hess)
position in 1982. Snitker managed for 17 of the next 24 years spanning every level of the minor leagues. He lived the change of baseball from his first locker of a “nail in a wall” to the palatial playing grounds enjoyed at most levels, Coolray Field a prime example. “Nobody says anything bad about it here,” Snitker said. Snitker believes his experience both as a minor league manager and major league coach is one of his biggest assets as he prepares to sit in the big office for the first time since 2006 in Richmond, Va. He speaks calmly, telling anecdotes, a very baseball way of communicating. He harkens to the times he spent with former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox before games talking in the radar room just off the home dugout and he chose his No. 4 because Luke Appling wore the same number. At 75, Appling worked for Snitker when he managed in Class A Anderson. “I was young and reactive,” Snitker said of his first managerial experience. “(Appling) was
always there and he would keep a lid on me a little bit. That first year was, it was fun. We were playing baseball.” But Snitker knows that version of baseball vanished over his career and has lived the new version in the big leagues. “The game is the same, but the players are different,” he said. “Nowadays we tell them, ‘You better keep that (phone) on. If you are in a bar and it’s too loud, I am calling the next guy on my list.’ “We make moves now on the bus at midnight.” Snitker doesn’t promise or preach any specific style of managing. He likes to steal bases, if he can, but won’t force a style. Winning is a priority, unless player safety or development trumps a strategic move. He knows the purpose of the minors. “It’s always player development. It’s all about the players in the minor leagues,” he said. “They are the central point. They are why we are here. They are the reason we have jobs.” And this job, gets him a bit closer to home.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 • 7
Touted Bethancourt just a few hits away from Atlanta Bethancourt, ranked as the No. 82 overcall prospect by MLB.com and the sixth-best Evan Gattis will take over catcher, is just now, though, for the departed Brian Mcstarting to show that he could Cann as the Atlanta Braves’ be almost ready offensively. regular catcher this season, The right-handed hitter but it may be for just one had a .277 average with a year. career-high 12 homers last Although Gattis was one season for Class AA Missisof the top feel-good stories in sippi baseball as a rookie, ChrisThe Braves began reworktian Bethancourt has been ing Bethancourt’s swing the catcher the Braves have after the 2012 season and the been waiting on for years. results have been positive. The 22-year-old from “He made some pretty draPanama has been touted as matic changes mechanically, a top prospect almost since and it took him a while to get he signed at age 16 and will comfortable,” Atlanta general start this season just a step manager Frank Wren said of away from Atlanta in Class Bethancourt’s improvement AAA with the Gwinnett in the second half of last Braves. season. “He can catch and throw at Bethancourt had a 4-for-4 the major league level right game with two homers and now,” Atlanta manager Fredi set a Mississippi record by Gonzalez said two springs reaching base on a hit or walk ago. in 40 consecutive games. By Guy Curtright Staff Correspondent
Bethancourt, the Braves’ top position prospect, hit .338 during the streak from June 13-Aug. 14 and had a .307 average with eight homers and 24 RBIs in his final 39 games of the season. “I try to get better every day and every year,” said Bethancourt, who spent September in Atlanta as an extra catcher and got his first major league at-bat. “I’ve been working hard and making a lot of progress.” The on-base streak was something Bethancourt wasn’t even aware of as it built and built. “I didn’t know until they showed me,” he said. Defense, though, remains Bethancourt’s calling card. He has a cannon for an arm and cat-quick reflexes behind the plate. “He’s very athletic,” Gonzalez said.
The streaks that Bethancourt keeps track of are blocking balls in the dirt and nabbing runners trying to steal. His rate throwing out runners, though, was down to about 35 percent last year after nearly 40 percent in his first season at Mississippi the previous year. “The main thing is my defense,” said Bethancourt, who appeared in the past two All-Star Futures Game. “I keep trying to get better, and I’m starting to put everything together — blocking pitches, calling the game, throwing out runners.” Will Bethancourt be ready to step up to Atlanta next season, if not earlier? “I’m trying to get there as soon as possible,” he said. “But I’ve got to get ready before I get there. That is what I’m trying to do.”
Atlanta Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt, left, talks to reliever Cory Gearrin during a game against the Detroit Tigers on March 2 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Photo: Kim Klement/USA Today Sports)
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Schlosser set for next step By Ben Beitzel
ben.beitzel@gwinnettdailypost.com
Admittedly, Gus Schlosser does things a bit differently. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, the righthanded pitcher doesn’t attack batters with power. He tried throwing the “normal” way and once he reached college baseball the results suffered. “I just wasn’t getting anybody out,” the 25-year-old said of his early college years at Florida Southern. So Schlosser tried throwing with a sidearm motion and dipping down in his delivery allowed a similar reaction of his ERA. “For me it worked out, I started throwing harder and started doing better,” Schlosser said. “It became kind of natural.” Once he started, Schlosser thought back to his first pitching lessons from his father and the constant coaching to keep his arm up as he threw. “It was natural for me to be lower,” Schlosser said. “It worked out better than I would have thought.” In 2010, Schlosser had the highest ERA of any pitcher on the Florida Southern staff at 4.20. By the end of 2011 that number dipped down to 2.90, the lowest in the Mocs rotation. The Braves drafted him following that season in the 17th round and he began a steady climb through the organization. Each year, Schlosser took strides. He made 27 starts in 2012 with high Class A Lynchburg and started 25 games last season in Class AA Mississippi, earning pitcher of the year honors in both stops. The jump from A to AA meant a dip in his ERA, dropping nearly a point from 3.38 to 2.39 as he stepped up a level in competition. Because of his alternative throwing motion, Schlosser’s goal is to coax as many ground balls out of hitters as he can with his sinker and slider. He also shoots to out-think each batter, or at least have a plan about attacking each one and Schlosser takes his planning to an extreme. “I prepared when I was in high-A pretty good, but not near to the point in double-A where three or four hours before a game I watched film, looked at the lineup, the day before I write notes while charting,” said Schlosser. “I really prepared myself. That eventually helped me. As the season went on I think I got better and better and better. I felt very prepared to start, I never felt like, ‘I don’t know what I am doing. I don’t know who
Gus Schlosser pitches in a game last season with the Class AA Mississippi Braves. (Photo: Mississippi Braves)
this guy is.’ I was always prepared.” Starters typically chart pitches on off days, but not all take notes on the hitters while sitting in the stands with the radar gun. As he saw the same hitters over and over as the season drug out, Schlosser watched for changes in their approaches, embracing the mental ferocity of starting pitchers. “You know exactly what a guy’s plan is,” Schlosser said. “He can change that, obviously, but then you adjust.” Though he’s always started, Schlosser’s preparation may pay off with a big-league chance at least early this season. A nonroster invitee to the big league camp for the second year, Schlosser had a 1.93 ERA after his first 9 1/3 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts. And it’s the preparation that put Schlosser in the spot to succeed. He spent his offseason resting and then strengthening his body and arm. He forced himself to be patient with his throwing program and quieted his mind for a few days. “By the end of the season you are mentally fried and everybody usually is,” Schlosser said. “It takes a week or so to finally relax. I was waking up ready to go everyday even though I was home. It’s just mentally tiring.” But that’s all part of the work for Schlosser, whose next step on his natural rung is the Gwinnett Braves, even as he eyes brighter lights and biggest challenges. “They tell us, especially in the big leagues, they have shown us a couple of examples. There are scouting reports on everybody, there is video on everything you do,” Schlosser said. “You really have to know that I am adjusting, so are they. They always call it a big chess game and it really is. Last year helped me realize that I need to adjust, see that they are adjusting to me, and constantly working at it. Everybody is talented. Who is going to be able to make the adjustments once you are up there.”
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THE LINEUP
Brandon Christian Bethancourt Boggs
Thirty players in Atlanta’s system likely to fit in with the Gwinnett Braves this season
Ryan Buchter
Jose Constanza
Todd
Phil Gosselin
J.R. Graham
Tyler Greene
Mark Hamilton
Juan Jaime
Sean Kazmar
Tommy LaStella
Mark Lamm
Joe Leonard
Steve Lerud
Position: Catcher Age: 22 Height/weight: 6-2, 215 Birthplace: Panama City, Panama How acquired: Signed as free agent in 2012 Worth noting: Ranked as the Braves No. 2 prospect and their top position player. … Valued for defense, hit .277 in 90 games with Class AA Mississippi. … Was 0-for-1 with Atlanta Braves after earning a September call-up.
Position: Outfielder Age: 31 Height/weight: 6-0, 210 Birthplace: St. Louis, Mo. How acquired: Signed by the Braves midseason last year. Worth noting: Played collegiately at Georgia Tech. … Attended Marietta’s Pope High School. … The switch-hitter hit .284 in 98 games with the G-Braves in 2013, including five homers.
Position: LHP Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-3, 215 Birthplace: Reading, Pa. How acquired: Included in trade with Chicago Cubs for veteran pitcher Rodrigo Lopez Worth noting: Made 51 relief appearances last season with the G-Braves, including five saves. … Posted a 2.76 ERA with 103 strikeouts against 51 walks. … Southern League mid-season all-star in 2010 and 2012.
Position: Outfielder Age: 30 Height/weight: 5-9, 150 Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Played 31 games with Atlanta last year season. ... Hit .257 with the big league club ... In 83 games with the GBraves hit .276 with 21 stolen bases.
Position: Outfielder Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-0, 200 Birthplace: Jacksonville, Ala. How acquired: Drafted by Braves in 2010 Worth noting: Ranked No. 17 prospect in Braves organization. … Made Major League debut last season, hitting .250 in eight games in Atlanta. … Hit .265 with the Gwinnett Braves, including five triples. …2012 Southern League allstar and minor league all-star.
Position: Second baseman Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-1, 190 Birthplace: West Chester, Pa. How acquired: Drafted by Braves in the fifth round in 2010 Worth noting: Split time between Class AA Mississippi and Gwinnett last season, hitting .254 across both levels. … Made Major League debut in August last season, playing in four games and going 2 of 6 with two runs scored.
Position: RHP Age: 24 Height/weight: 6-0, 185 Birthplace: Livermore, Calif. How acquired: Drafted by Braves in 2011 Worth noting: Made just eight starts last season with Class AA Mississippi before missing the year with an injured shoulder. … Ranked No. 6 prospect in organization. … Named 2012 top pitcher in Braves organization after going 12-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 26 starts with 110 strikeouts and just 34 walks.
Position: Shortstop Age: 30 Height/weight: 6-2, 190 Birthplace: Raleigh, N.C. How acquired: Signed as a free agent during 2013 season Worth noting: Hit .333 in 13 games with the G-Braves last season and .256 overall in Class AAA. …Played in 15 games with the White Sox last year hitting .222. Played collegiately at Georgia Tech.
Position: First baseman Age: 29 Height/weight: 6-4, 220 Birthplace: Baltimore How acquired: Signed as a minorleague free agent Worth noting: Played in 81 games with Class AAA Pawtucket last season, hitting .261 with 12 homers and 23 doubles. … Played 38 Major League games in 2011 with St. Louis Cardinals, hitting .213 with four RBIs.
Position: RHP Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-2, 235 Birthplace: San Cristobal, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as a minor league free agent in 2011 Worth noting: Entered 2013 as one of Braves top 10 pitching prospects. … Went 2-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 35 relief appearances for Class AA Mississippi last year. … Missed 2010 and 2011 seasons after reconstructive elbow surgery.
Position: Shortstop Age: 29 Height/weight: 5-9, 180 Birthplace: Valdosta How acquired: Signed as a minor league free agent in 2013 Worth noting: Hit .228 in 95 games with the G-Braves last season. … Played in 19 Major League games in 2008 with the San Diego Padres, hitting .205 with a double.
Position: Second baseman Age: 25 Height/weight: 5-11, 185 Birthplace: Closter, N.J. How acquired: Drafted by Braves in the eighth round in 2011 Worth noting: Ranked No. 7 prospect in Braves organization. … Topps Class AA All-Star in 2013. … Hit .356 between Class high-A Lynchburg and Class AA Mississippi in 2013 with 22 doubles and five home runs. … Named to 2013 Arizona Fall League All-Prospect team.
Position: RHP Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-4, 215 Birthplace: Nashville How acquired: Drafted by the Braves in the sixth round in 2011 Worth noting: Appeared in 18 games with the G-Braves a season ago, posting a 3-3 record with a 3.63 ERA. … Finished year with Class AA Mississippi, making 35 appearances with a 3-3 record and .256 ERA. … Played collegiately at Vanderbilt, alma mater of Braves starter Mike Minor.
Position: Third baseman Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-5, 220 Birthplace: Dawson, Pa. How acquired: Drafted by the Braves in the third round in 2010 Worth noting: Hit .230 in 119 games with the G-Braves in 2013. … Turned in a .965 fielding percentage with just 10 errors on the season … Named minor league Gold Glove third baseman for 2012 season.
Position: Catcher Age: 29 Height/weight: 6-1, 215 Birthplace: Reno, Nev. How acquired: Signed as a minor league free agent Worth noting: Hit .217 in 61 games with Class AAA Lehigh Valley in the Philadelphia organization. … Made six appearances for the Phillies in 2013 without recording a hit in five at-bats. … Former third-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003.
Cody Martin
Yunesky Maya Position: RHP Age: 32 Height/weight: 5-11, 205 Birthplace: Pinar del Rio, Cuba How acquired: Signed as a free agent Worth noting: Pitched in Cuba before defecting and signing with the Washington Nationals in 2010. … Started 16 games over three seasons for the Nationals, going 1-5 with a 5.80 ERA. … Started 24 games in 2013 with Class AAA Syracuse going 8-8 with a 3.87 ERA.
Derrick Mitchell
Aaron Northcraft
Wirfin Obispo
Daniel Rodriguez
Andrew Russell
Edward Salcedo
Gus Schlosser
Atahualpa Severino
Joey
Position: RHP Age: 24 Height/weight: 6-2, 225 Birthplace: Dos Palos, Calif. How acquired: Drafted by the Braves in the seventh round in 2011. Worth noting: Ranked No. 10 prospect in Braves organization. … Was 6-7 with a 3.16 ERA in 2013, splitting time between Class AA Mississippi and the G-Braves. … Struck out 137 batters.
Ernesto Mejia
Ian Terdoslavich Thomas
Luis Vasquez
Jose Yepez
Position: First baseman Age: 28 Height/weight: 6-5, 245 Birthplace: Guanare, Venezuela How acquired: Signed as free agent Worth noting: Hit .249 with 28 home runs in 2013 for the G-Braves. … Named to IL midseason All-Star team and 2013 Venezuelan League most valuable player … Named International League’s rookie of the year, was a member of the IL all-star team and was a minor league organizational all-star in 2012.
Position: Outfielder Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-3, 210 Birthplace: Paw Paw, Mich. How acquired: Signed as a free agent Worth noting: Hit .243 over two levels in 2013, splitting time between Class AA and AAA in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. … Named MLB. com organizational all-star for Philadelphia in 2011.
Position: RHP Age: 23 Height/weight: 6-4, 230 Birthplace: Tucson, Ariz. How acquired: Drafted by the Braves in the second round in 2009 Worth noting: Ranked No. 16 prospect in Braves organization. …Went 8-8 with a 3.42 ERA with Class AA Mississippi in 2013, striking out 121 batters. … Led the Carolina League in with 160 strikeouts in 2012.
Position: RHP Age: 29 Height/weight: 6-1, 160 Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2012 Worth noting: Was 2-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 54 appearances for the G-Braves in 2013. … Pitcher began his career as a shortstop in the Boston organization.
Position: LHP Age: 29 Height/weight: 6-0, 185 Birthplace: Culiacan, Mexico How acquired: Signed from the Mexican League mid-season in 2012 Worth noting: Went 3-3 with a 5.77 ERA in 12 starts with the G-Braves in 2013. … Mexican League midseason all-star in 2011.
Position: RHP Age: 29 Height/weight: 6-0, 200 Birthplace: Williamstown, Australia How acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2011 Worth noting: Went 6-6 with a 2.95 ERA split between Class AA Mississippi and the G-Braves in 2012. … With G-Braves walked (23) almost as many as he struck out (27) in 28 appearances.
Position: Third baseman Age: 22 Height/weight: 6-3, 210 Birthplace: La Vega, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed by the Braves as an undrafted free agent in 2010 Worth noting: Ranked No. 15 prospect in Braves organization. … Named Southern League mid-season all-star in 2013. … Hit .239 with 12 home runs with Class AA Mississippi in 2013.
Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-4, 215 Birthplace: Sarasota, Fla. How acquired: Drafted by the Braves in the 17th round in 2011 Worth noting: Went 7-6 with a 2.39 ERA in 25 starts with Class AA Mississippi in 2013. … Southern League mid-season all-star in 2013. … Named Carolina League pitcher of the year in 2012.
Position: LHP Age: 29 Height/weight: 5-11, 220 Birthplace: Cotui, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as a free agent Worth noting: Went 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA between Class AAA’s Omaha and Indianapolis … Struck out 58 over 55 innings pitched.
Position: Outfielder Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-0, 200 Birthplace: Sarasota, Fla. How acquired: Sixthround selection of the Atlanta Braves in 2010 Worth noting: Made Major League debut last season with a call up on July 4 ....In 56 games with Atlanta hit .215 while serving often as a defensive replacement ... Prior to promotion, hit .318 with 18 home runs with G-Braves.
Position: RHP Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-4, 175 Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as a free agent Worth noting: Named mid-season Southern League all-star in 2013 with Class AA Chattanooga in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. … Finished season with Class AAA Albuquerque, combining the two leagues to finish 3-3 with a 2.52 ERA in 25 relief appearances.
Position: Catcher Age: 32 Height/weight: 6-0, 205 Birthplace: Carora, Venezuela How acquired: Signed as free agent in 2011 Worth noting: Hit .219 in 56 games with the G-Braves in 2013. … Spent the winter in the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .200 with a pair of home runs
10 • SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014
Cunningham
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Position: LHP Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-4, 210 Birthplace: Norfolk, Va. How acquired: Signed by the Braves in 2012 from the independent leagues Worth noting: Ranked the No. 12 prospect in the Brave organization. … Split time as a starter and reliever with Class AA Mississippi in 2013, posting a 7-8 record with a 2.76 ERA.
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 • 11
Prospect Northcraft surviving recent trials By Ben Beitzel
league and the shine of the season faded. Fast. In seven starts, Northcraft posted an 8.00 ERA From offseason through and a 1-7 record. He struck spring training, it’s been out just a rough ride for Aaron four more Northcraft. (19) than About the best news for he walked the right-handed pitcher (15) and in following his strong year 18 innings in Class AA Mississippi allowed was his ranking among a pair of the top 20 Atlanta Braves home runs. Compared to minor-league prospects. seven homers in 137 inAccording to MLB.com, nings with the M-Braves, Northcraft ranks 16th in that’s more than twice as the organization and even many homers per inning. that was a drop from last “It was more of a mental year’s No. 12 ranking. thing,” Northcraft said of But first, came his offhis Arizona troubles. “The season. pitching mechanics when I After turning in a solid 8-8 was out in Arizona were a record in 26 starts and a 3.42 little off.” ERA with Class AA MissisThrough the winter, sippi, Northcraft headed to Northcraft said he hoped to Arizona for the annual fall correct his mechanics and ben.beitzel@ gwinnettdailypost.com
kept working out with his personal trainer, staying in shape and building strength for his sixth professional season. He joined the Atlanta Braves for spring training, hopeful to return to his accustomed success. Instead he dinged his thumb doing fielding drills so early in camp that he didn’t make a spring appearance on the big-league roster before cuts sent him to the back fields, where his preparation slowly began. Northcraft, though unhappy, embraced the first real challenges in his career. Giving up 16 runs off 23 hits in 18 innings in the fall didn’t turn Northcraft off to the idea of pitching or even sour his outlook. “It was fun,” he said about Arizona. “You get to do a lot more. You can
set guys up more than the free swingers in low-A. It’s more of a mental game where you are going to get taxed and not want to think after the game. It was an overall good experience.” And that is the best news for Northcraft. If there’s a time to struggle, it’s in offseason games. If there’s a time for injury it’s during spring training. Even as a member of the Braves’ 40man roster, the 23-year-old Northcraft was at-best a long shot for the big league club. His highest stop so far is Class AA and admits he needs to keep learning. “(Arizona) helped me mentally just to be around the guys who are experienced and know what they are doing,” Northcraft said. “Unless you are throwing 102 and just blowing it
by guys you are going to have to adjust to the game. People get smarter, they pick up on your tendencies. They have the TV to pick up what you are doing.” Northcraft relies more on craft than power, his four-seam fastball even sinks and he mixes in a two-seam fastball, a sinker and curveball-slider hybrid. As a young pitcher, he relied mostly on his two fastballs, but began focusing on his slider last season. “I know I am going to need it for my main goal in the big leagues,” he said. He also worked on holding runners on base. Stepping up to Class AA in 2013, Northcraft watched more and more runners steal off of him, even as their batting average
against him dropped to a career low .241. But for a pitcher relying on his sinking pitches to create groundballs, keeping the runners still matters exponentially more. “If they see you are stopping going, stopping going, they are going to take off,” Northcraft said was one of his biggest lessons in Mississippi. “I am a sinker guy so I get a lot of double plays but when a guy is not on first base I can’t get double plays.” Learning, said Northcraft, is the point of the minors, something he’s understood increasingly more since the Braves drafted him in 2009 out of Mater Dei High School in California. And these recent hiccups are just another chance to improve.
For more information, contact Lauren Stephens at 770.963.9205 ext. 1209 or email at lauren.stephens@gwinnettdailypost.com
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With big-hitting LaStella, the key is staying healthy By Guy Curtright Staff Correspondent
The Atlanta Braves feel they may have their second baseman in waiting. First, though, Tommy LaStella has to prove that he can stay healthy. The 25-year-old lefthanded hitter has a .327 career minor league average, but he’s never played more than 90 games in a season. “Keeping him on the field has really been one of the challenges,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “But when he plays, offensively, he’s done everything we could hope and more.” LaStella batted .343 with a .422 on-base percentage in 81 games last year in the Class AA Southern League, setting a Mississippi Braves record with a
Tommy LaStella hits in a game for the Mississippi Braves last season. (Photo: Mississippi Braves)
23-game hitting streak. This year he moves up to Class AAA Gwinnett and Atlanta may not be too far in the future. Even if veteran second baseman Dan Uggla bounces back, his contract runs out after next season. LaStella could be ready to take over by then, if not sooner.
“We’ve always liked his bat,” Wren said of the 2011 eighth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina University. “He got drafted because of his bat. He reported to Rome that year and hit, and he’s hit ever since.” That included the Arizona Fall League, where LaStella continued to impress last
year. He batted .290 with a .436 on-base percentage in 18 games and was named to the top prospect team. That performance helped the New Jersey native move up to No. 6 on MLB.com’s list of top Braves prospects and No. 9 in the Baseball American rankings. Then he more then held his own at the plate in Grapefruit League with the Braves this spring, showing that he could handle major league pitching. LaStella was also able to stay injury free, something he hadn’t been able to do the last two seasons. “It’s been frustrating,” he said. “You want to play, not sit.” LaStella hit .328 with 27 extra-base hits in 63 games for Class A Rome after being drafted in 2011 and was looking forward to
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his first full minor league season the next year. LaStella was limited to 85 games with Class A Advanced Lynchburg, though, by a pair of injuries. He was beaned early in the season and then sat out six weeks after he suffered a broken leg covering first base on a bunt. LaStella hit .302 anyway and was hoping for better luck in 2013. It didn’t happen. LaStella missed spring traning and the first three weeks of the season because of a sore right elbow. Then after hitting .330 in his first 26 games with Mississippi, he strained a hamstring in early June, going back on the disabled list. But LaStella was soon as hot at the plate as before, hitting .364 while putting together his streak from
July 5 through Aug. 5. LaStella reached base in 76 of 86 games and he had two at-bats or less in four of the games he didn’t reach. LaStella had 37 walks to 34 strikeouts, continuing the pattern he has had since signing. LaStella, though, isn’t just a slap hitter. He had 21 doubles, two triples and four homers, driving in 41 runs. “I want to be aggressive, but make sure it is a pitch I can handle,” he said. Although a little bigger, the scrappy La Stella has reminded some of former Atlanta second baseman Mark Lemke and that isn’t a bad thing. The Braves had a lot of success with Lemke as their second baseman during the early part of their run of National League East Division titles in the 1990s.
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Wren off to fast start in pros By Guy Curtright Staff Correspondent
Jonathan Schuerholz, taken in the eighth round of the 2002 draft when his father was Atlanta general manager, didn’t make it to the majors. General manager Frank Wren’s son, an eight-round pick last year, may play for his father’s team in Atlanta, though. Kyle Wren, a speedy outfielder, was drafted out of Georgia Tech last June and had an outstanding first half season that covered three minor league levels. Wren, 22, hit .335 and stole 35 bases in 53 games, mostly with Class A Rome. He will start this season at Class A Advanced Lynchburg or Class AA Mississippi. A left-handed hitter, Wren also had 17 extrabase hits and his on-base percentage was .391. He walked 19 times compared to 24 strikeouts. Although his playing career stalled in Class AAA, Jonathan Schuerholz is still with the Braves organization, where father John is now team president. The younger Schuerholz, with a promising non-playing career seemingly ahead, moves up to manage Class A Rome this season after two years with Danville of the rookie Appalachian League.
Brookwood’s Sims back on fast track Braves’ pitching prospect could be in Gwinnett by 2015 By Guy Curtright
MLB.com and Baseball America don’t completely match when ranking the Braves’ best prospects, but at least they agree on the top two. Here is the comparison:
Staff Correspondent
Coolray Field fans will get to watch catcher Christian Bethancourt — the Atlanta Braves’ best position hopeful — this season, but it will be awhile before the team’s top overall prospect reaches Gwinnett. When he does, though, it will be an interest-packed homecoming. Brookwood graduate Lucas Sims, the Braves’ first-round draft pick in 2012, is on the fast track to Atlanta, with a stop in Class AAA possible as early as 2015. Sims, who turns 20 on May 20, is ticketed to start this season with Lynchburg of the Class A Advanced Carolina League, with a move up to Mississippi of the Class AA Southern League before the end of the season possible. The right-hander won his last eight starts for Class A Rome last year and finished among the South Atlantic League leaders in numerous pitching categories. Sims was second in the 14-team league in ERA (2.62) and WHIP (1.11), tied for second in victories with a 12-4 record and was fourth with 134 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings. Opponents hit just .203 against him. Along the way, Sims moved up the MLB.com prospect rankings. He took over as the Braves’ top prospect before the season
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PROSPECT RANKINGS
Atlanta Braves prospect Lucas Sims answers questions during a media event held at Coolray Field earlier this year. (Photo: Kyle Hess)
was over and goes into this year ranked No. 60 on MLB.com’s Top 100 overall list. “We’re very happy with his progress,” Atlanta general manager Frank Wren said. The Braves took it slow with Sims a year ago, starting him out in the bullpen to conserve his innings. This year, though, most of the limitations are a thing of the past. “We were very patient with him early in the season last year, making sure he got well grounded,” Wren said. The strategy obviously
worked. “I’m ready to roll,” said Sims, the 21st overall pick in 2012. “I’m excited about getting started again. Hopefully I’ll have a great year.” Sims, who was 8-1 with a 1.19 ERA as a senior as Brookwood reached the state championship series against Parview, received a bonus of $1.65 million to pass up a scholarship to Clemson and sign with his hometown team. “I enjoy having the opportunity to do what I love for a living,” Sims said. “It’s something I don’t take for granted.”
Gwinnett fans could get to see Jason Hursh, ranked behind Sims among Braves pitching hopefuls, before the end of the season. The right-hander was Atlanta’s first-round pick last June out of Oklahoma State and the 22-year-old could begin this year at Mississippi. The pitching pipeline to Atlanta isn’t as full as usual because of quick promotions to the majors and injuries. The Braves, though, still have two highly rated young arms in Sims and Hursh on the way.
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MLB.com Top 20 1. Lucas Sims RHP 2. Christian Bethancourt C 3. Jason Hursh RHP 4. Jose Peraza SS 5. Mauricio Cabrera RHP 6. J.R. Graham RHP 7. Tommy LaStella 2B 8. Victor Caratini C 9. David Hale RHP 10. Cody Martin RHP 11. Kyle Kubitza 3B 12. Ian Thomas LHP 13. Johan Camargo SS 14. Carlos Salazar RHP 15. Edward Salcedo 3B 16. Aaron Northcraft RHP 17. Todd Cunningham OF 18. Kyle Wren OF 19. Shae Simmons RHP 20. Alec Grosser RHP Baseball America Top 20 1. Lucas Sims RHP 2. Christian Bethancourt C 3. J.R. Graham RHP 4. Jason Hursh RHP 5. Mauricio Cabrera RHP 6. Jose Peraza SS 7. David Hale RHP 8. Victor Caratini C 9. Tommy LaStella 2B 10. Cody Martin RHP 11. Edward Salcedo 3B 12. Josh Elander OF 13. Victor Reyes OF 14. Joey Terdoslavich OF 15. Shae Simmons RHP 16. Carlos Salazar RHP 17. Kyle Wren OF 18. Johan Camargo SS 19. Wes Parsons RHP 20. Tanner Murphy C
Graham hoping to make up for lost 2013 season allow a hit or run in his final two before being sent to minor league camp. J.R. Graham turned “It’s really encouraging heads last spring, lightthat my arm is healthy and ing up Grapefruit League it was getting better each scoreboards with fastballs time out,” Graham said. nearing 100 mph. “It’s just a matter of mainThe right-hander’s 2013 taining the strength in my season ended in May, shoulder and making sure though, and the former top I’m not doing too much in Atlanta Braves pitching the weight room and on the prospect was among the field, throwing-wise. Now, team’s first-round cuts this it’s a matter of just trying year. to keep everything intact.” Now the 24-year-old Graham will start the California native is trying season at Gwinnett as an to build back full strength option for either the rotain his shoulder and retion or bullpen while he capture a little of his lost works his way back. velocity as well as luster. Graham might already Graham remains a prime be an established member prospect, just not the can’t- J.R. Graham pitches for the Mississippi Braves last sea- of the Atlanta staff if he miss pitcher he once was hadn’t strained his shoulson. (Photo: Mississippi Braves) rated. He is ranked No. 3 der last May. among Braves hopefuls by The fourth-round draft the expected rust in his first “Friday the 13th,” Baseball America and is pick in 2011 out of St. three Grapefruit League Graham said, superstitious No. 6 on the MLB.com list. Mary’s University showed outings this year, but didn’t now if he wasn’t before. By Guy Curtright Staff Correspondent
Graham was hurt throwing a warm-up pitch before the third inning at Class AA Mississippi. “I felt it go,” Graham said of his shoulder. “I thought that it was just a pinched nerve. But I had nothing on the ball when I threw another pitch.” Suddenly, his career was put on pause. Although no major structural damage was found, Graham didn’t pitch the rest of the year. He wasn’t ready for game action in the fall instructional league in Florida, either. Graham was ready to go at the start of spring training, but the effects of missing most of last season showed. In five relief appearances covering four innings, he allowed six hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out one and walking one.
That was in contrast to last spring, when Graham didn’t allow a run over nine innings in five games. He gave up six hits, walked three and struck out five. Still, Graham appears to have a bright future if he can stay healthy. Graham was the Braves minor league pitcher of the year in 2012, when he went a combined 12-2 with a 2.80 ERA for Class A Advanced Lynchburg and Mississippi. That followed his first season when he was 5-2 with a 1.72 ERA at rookielevel Danville after being drafted. In 241 1/3 minor league innings, Graham has a 2.72 ERA and 190 strikeouts to 57 walks. “It’s been frustrating, but hopefully it was just a speed bump on the way to the major leagues,” he said.
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Individuals were highlight in G-Braves’ forgettable ’13 By Ben Beitzel
ben.beitzel@ gwinnettdailypost.com
Finishing with the worst record in the International League, suffering through a 14-game losing streak in early April and never enjoying a month over .500 didn’t leave many positives for the 2013 edition of the Gwinnett Braves. The starting pitchers’ ERA was 4.13 and the relievers weren’t much better at 3.91. As a team, the G-Braves hit just .253. For the second straight season, the G-Braves ended the year with a sub-.500 record and minus a manager after the Braves opted not to retain Randy Ready after one year at the helm. But every minor league manager stresses the importance of player development and on that end, the G-Braves had some successes. The biggest was Joey Terdoslavich. A rising star in 2012, shouldering the weight of replacing Chipper Jones at third base the following year, Terdoslavich slogged through the year piling up
errors and rarely reaching base or flexing his power potential. He was hitting below .200 when he was demoted to Class AA Mississippi partway through the season. Everything changed in 2013. Terdoslavich partially blamed the expectations, but mostly put the lost year on a hitch in his swing he didn’t identify until his demotion. He spent the offseason working to fix it and arrived back in Gwinnett with a new position, outfield, and his attitude never suffered. By mid-season he was playing in the MLB Futures Game at the All-Star Game and on July 4 joined the Atlanta Braves, going 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter against the Marlins. In 55 big-league games, the switch hitter batted .215 and he never returned to the minor leagues. He was named the team’s most valuable player and was a member of the International League’s mid-season and postseason all-star teams. He hit .315 during his time with the G-Braves.
Terdoslavich was one of five Gwinnett Braves to make major league debuts in 2012, including outfielder Todd Cunningham, infielder Phil Gosselin and pitchers David Hale and Cory Rasmus. Hale made two big league starts, going 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA. He allowed one run over 11 innings pitched. Rasmus dazzled in his first relief appearance, striking out three in 1 2/3 innings, but struggled his second time out, allowing six runs. Cunningham hit .250 in eight games and Gosselin played in four games with Atlanta. Ernesto Mejia, the IL rookie of the year in 2012, returned to the IL all-star game and led the league with 83 RBIs for the second straight year. He set a new G-Braves single season record with 28 home runs. But the bright spots were just that. Spots. The losing overshadowed many of the performances. The streak of losing months now sits at 11. The last time the GBraves won more than they lost in month was April 2012 when they went 17-7. Atlanta Braves left fielder Joey Terdoslavich (25) works out prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers on March 2 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Photo: Kim Klement/ USA Today Sports)
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Arms race continues in International League By Ben Beitzel
ben.beitzel@ gwinnettdailypost.com
When the Gwinnett Braves opened the 2009 season at home, they christened a sparkling new stadium and along with it plenty of enthusiasm, at least during the opening weekend. Now, entering their sixth season, the G-Braves don’t even play in the newest stadium in their division of the International League. The Charlotte Knights, the first team the Gwinnett Braves played as a new organization, open a new stadium this season, leaving their old home in suburban Charlotte for a cozy spot near the center of Charlotte. The 10,000-seat stadium hopes to reverse a trend that left the Knights
a new downtown stadium in 2009. And in Scranton, Pa., the Yankees’ Class AAA affiliate spent 2012 playing its home games across New York state while its stadium was given major upgrades. On the other end, McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I., first opened in 1946 and the Red Sox just extended their lease through 2021. But kitsch and sparkle are really the business of minor league baseball. It’s baseball for entertainment well above baseball for competition and the front offices behave as such. The Charlotte Knights will open their new ballpark in downtown this season (Photo: They can’t control the Charlotte Knights) players, managers, results at the bottom of attendance season’s Triple-A National new stadium built for or weather, but they can in the International League Championship game. International League teams control the experience the past few seasons. Including Gwinnett’s since 2008 when Lehigh surrounding the game. And The stadium has already Coolray Field, the Knights’ Valley debuted its new new is the biggest change been selected to host this new stadium is the fourth park. Columbus opened up of the International League
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in recent seasons. Charlotte reached the championship series in the IL in 2012 and attendance didn’t spike. They expect it to this year. On the field is always in flux with affiliation changes and a yearly crop of new prospects. The No. 13 prospect in baseball, Pittsburgh’s Gregory Polanco, will at least begin this season in the International League with the Indianapolis Indians, helping them defend their IL North Division title. The Indians also could boast top pitching prospect Jameson Taillon. Other top prospects with the potential of an early stint in the IL include Yankees’ catcher Gary Sanchez and Tampa Bay pitcher Jake Odorizzi, who pitched for IL champion Durham last season.
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You’ve been Spotted ... at the G-Braves
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2013 G-BRAVES STATS BATTING Player POS G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG Freddie Freeman 1B 3 10 3 5 2 0 0 2 7 1 3 0 0 .583 .700 .500 Greg Golson OF 7 13 2 6 2 0 0 0 8 1 2 1 1 .500 .615 .462 Evan Gattis C 5 21 1 7 4 0 1 1 14 0 4 0 0 .364 .667 .333 Brian McCann C 3 9 1 3 0 0 1 2 6 1 1 0 0 .400 .667 .333 Blake DeWitt 2B 2 6 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 .333 .333 .333 B.J. Upton CF 3 12 3 4 3 0 0 2 7 0 4 0 0 .333 .583 .333 Joey Terdoslavich OF 85 321 48 102 24 1 18 58 182 23 65 3 6 .359 .567 .318 Jason Heyward RF 6 20 1 6 1 0 0 6 7 4 7 1 0 .423 .350 .300 Alden Carrithers 3B 90 251 34 75 14 1 3 19 100 32 27 13 4 .387 .398 .299 Tyler Pastornicky 2B 74 288 42 84 13 2 4 28 113 27 47 9 2 .354 .392 .292 Dan Uggla 2B 2 7 1 2 0 0 1 1 5 0 4 0 0 .286 .714 .286 Jose Constanza LF 83 341 39 94 7 3 0 17 107 29 49 21 9 .332 .314 .276 Stefan Gartrell OF 75 255 32 68 13 0 9 34 108 26 88 2 0 .344 .424 .267 Philip Gosselin 2B 58 207 17 55 4 1 2 15 67 12 38 1 0 .308 .324 .266 Todd Cunningham CF 116 427 60 113 13 5 2 38 142 41 62 20 7 .342 .333 .265 Tyler Greene 2B 69 250 34 64 14 2 4 31 94 18 73 10 3 .316 .376 .256 Ernesto Mejia 1B 134 489 58 122 35 1 28 83 243 48 152 8 2 .323 .497 .249 Brandon Boggs LF 119 411 48 97 19 4 7 36 145 57 124 4 4 .331 .353 .236 Corey Wimberly OF 25 77 9 18 9 0 0 6 27 4 13 3 0 .268 .351 .234 Joe Leonard 3B 119 418 32 96 22 3 0 35 124 22 91 1 2 .271 .297 .230 Sean Kazmar SS 95 272 26 62 17 1 1 29 84 18 40 8 4 .277 .309 .228 Matt Kennelly C 21 59 7 13 2 0 1 6 18 3 11 0 0 .254 .305 .220 Jose Yepez C 56 192 14 42 8 0 0 25 50 8 22 0 0 .259 .260 .219 Matt Pagnozzi C 90 290 31 61 10 1 6 31 91 21 64 0 0 .274 .314 .210 Paul Janish SS 41 135 11 28 5 0 0 12 33 13 32 0 0 .285 .244 .207 Luis Nunez SS 40 112 11 23 5 1 2 11 36 3 12 1 0 .233 .321 .205 Jordan Parraz RF 29 78 10 11 2 0 4 8 25 9 25 4 1 .230 .321 .141 Jordan Schafer CF 8 32 0 2 2 0 0 2 4 1 4 0 0 .091 .125 .063 PITCHING Player W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO Omar Poveda 6 7 3.62 27 25 0 0 0 164.0 154 71 66 12 4 59 133 Yohan Flande 9 7 4.18 31 19 1 0 1 131.1 142 70 61 9 4 46 92 David Hale 6 9 3.22 22 20 0 0 0 114.2 123 50 41 8 7 36 77 Sean Gilmartin 3 8 5.74 17 17 0 0 0 91.0 112 61 58 12 1 33 65 Freddy Garcia 8 4 3.56 14 14 0 0 0 86.0 80 36 34 11 0 20 62 Kameron Loe 4 4 3.07 27 10 0 0 2 76.1 76 32 26 3 2 17 37 Cody Martin 3 4 3.49 13 11 1 0 1 69.2 59 30 27 6 2 31 66 Wirfin Obispo 2 4 3.53 54 0 0 0 9 63.2 46 26 25 3 5 35 70 Ryan Buchter 4 0 2.76 51 0 0 0 5 62.0 36 23 19 5 4 51 103 Juan Cedeno 0 3 3.69 47 0 0 0 0 61.0 53 28 25 1 4 30 38 Tim Corcoran 3 4 2.98 10 10 0 0 0 54.1 54 20 18 2 2 31 44 Daniel Rodriguez 3 3 5.77 12 12 0 0 0 53.0 49 36 34 3 3 38 55 Joe Bisenius 3 7 6.00 13 8 0 0 0 48.0 72 42 32 4 0 21 35 Cory Rasmus 3 1 1.72 37 0 0 0 14 36.2 20 8 7 2 1 22 48 Joe Beimel 1 2 4.36 30 0 0 0 0 33.0 34 18 16 6 2 16 24 Cole McCurry 1 1 5.73 20 0 0 0 2 33.0 44 25 21 5 1 19 25 Andrew Russell 2 5 3.86 28 0 0 0 2 32.2 29 19 14 3 3 23 27 Brandon Beachy 1 4 3.00 7 7 0 0 0 30.0 23 12 10 3 0 18 26 Mark Lamm 3 3 3.63 18 0 0 0 0 22.1 22 13 9 0 2 15 22 Pat Egan 1 1 5.60 16 0 0 0 3 17.2 22 12 11 3 0 3 14 David Carpenter 1 2 3.52 6 0 0 0 0 15.1 17 6 6 1 1 4 11 Roman Colon 0 2 6.75 7 2 0 0 0 13.1 16 12 10 2 0 3 9 Dusty Hughes 0 2 6.75 12 0 0 0 0 12.0 17 11 9 0 1 9 14 Luis Ayala 0 1 6.48 8 0 0 0 0 8.1 9 6 6 1 0 5 8 Alex Wood 1 0 1.80 1 1 0 0 0 5.0 3 1 1 0 2 2 5 Michael Lee 0 0 5.40 1 1 0 0 0 5.0 10 3 3 0 1 3 1 Brandon Boggs 0 0 0.00 1 0 0 0 0 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Jordan Walden 0 0 0.00 1 0 0 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
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