The 2011 Gwinnett Braves

INSIDE

On TV

■ A look back at an up and down 2010 season ................4 ■ Ticket options aim to increase attendance ..............5 ■ G-Braves 2011 schedule and promotions ......................6 ■ Seating and ticket options, parking and directions to Coolray Field ..........................7 ■ Pitcher Redmond still chasing big-league shot ........8 ■ The most likely candidates for Gwinnett’s roster this season ............................10-11 ■ Pipeline to the bigs ..........12 ■ G-Braves keep children in mind......................................13 ■ A ‘late bloomer’ joins the outfield ..................................14 ■ Sandberg among big changes around IL ..............15 ■ Three-time all-star Canizares loves hitting ........16 ■ G-Braves welcome new wave of pitching prospects..18

After a shakeup in the announcing crew last season, the 25-game television schedule for the Gwinnett Braves will sound very similar to last year.

Both Mike Morgan and Brian Jordan return to the air for the selected Gwinnett Braves television games on Comcast Sports Southeast.

Jordan, a former Atlanta Brian Jordan Braves and Falcons player, has been calling games for the cable channel since the G-Braves came to Gwinnett two seasons ago and he also does color analysis for college football and baseball games on CSS. Jordan appears regularly in the

FoxSportsSouth and SportSouth studios analyzing Atlanta Braves game.

Morgan came to Gwinnett with 10 years of radio and television experience last year and spent the offseason working on the NFL’s Carolina Panthers’ pre-game broadcasts.

In their second year together, Morgan and Jordan jump right on the air for the G-Braves’ season opener versus the Durham Bulls. The 25 games stretch from the opener to Aug. 22 against Charlotte. Other G-Braves televised opponents include the Norfolk Tides, Columbus Clippers, Rochester Red Wings, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Syracuse Chiefs, Louisville Bats and Pawtucket Red Sox. — Ben Beitzel

On the radio Every G-Braves game will once again air on WDUN 550-AM with the broadcast starting 30 minutes before every first pitch. WSB sports director Tony Schiavone returns for his third year doing play-by-play and Judd Hickinbotham is also back in the booth for home

PAGE 2 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

game. Combined, Schiavone and Hickinbotham have seen every game the Gwinnett Braves have played over the past two seasons. The long-time professional wrestling announcer Schiavone will also be live tweeting the games he calls at www.twitter.com/tonyschiavone24.

G-Braves in the GDP Coverage of the Gwinnett Braves only begins in the Gwinnett Daily Post. Beat writer Ben Beitzel’s Web blog will offer breaking news, views, insight and other information to keep you up to date on the team’s activities. The blog will augment the day-to-day coverage. Final scores and major breaking news will also be posted on Twitter, offering instant updates beyond blog posts and daily coverage in the Post.

Follow the Gwinnett Braves with the Gwinnett Daily Post at www.gwinnettdailypost.com and www.twitter.com/ gdpbraves.

7th INNING STRETCH 50%OFF

SERVICES: • Express Exterior Wash starting at $5 • Full Service Detail starting at $22 • Free Vacuums • Free Towels • Free Floor Mat Cleaning • Unlimited Monthly Wash packages starting at $19.99/month

Home Run Wash on Game Days!

2-8pm. Cannot be combined with other offers.

2825 Buford Drive between Hours of Operation: Brandsmart & Coolray Field Monday–Saturay: 8am–8pm Sunday: 9am–7pm 770.614.9601

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 3

Year of individuals

Presented by:

Average 2010 record not indicative of personal highs

BY BEN BEITZEL STAFF WRITER ben.beitzel@ gwinnettdailypost.com

It’s a hard concept for sport fans to understand.

From the first game anyone plays, they learn that the end result tells the ultimate story. Parents and coaches applaud effort, but, really, everyone just wants to win. The W and L columns in standings give us the feel of a tangible gauge between teams and a feeling of an objective measure of each team’s talent.

But minor league baseball, especially at the Class AAA level, doesn’t measure success the same way. It is not win-at-allcosts, it’s win the most you can under specific circumstance. Pitchers are limited to certain innings.

Every guy gets opportunities. If a big-league players needs a few innings or a few at-bats he gets them no questions asked.

It’s called a farm team for a reason. It grows talent, the big-league team sells it. The Atlanta Braves returned to the playoffs last season, so the feeder Gwinnett team succeeded in its top charge of improving the major league club.

But a near .500 record and no postseason does not mean 2010 was a wasted season for the Gwinnett Braves, rather many individuals put together outstanding years. Let’s take a look some of the best from last year.

Barbaro Canizares Relegated primarily to a designated hitter role

FINALSTANDINGS A look at how the International League finished in 2010: INT North Team W SWB 87 Syracuse 76 Buffalo 76 Pawtucket 66 Lehigh Valley 58 Rochester 49 INT South Team W Durham 88 Gwinnett 72 Charlotte 67 Norfolk 67 INT West Team W Louisville 79 Columbus 79 Indianapolis 71 Toledo 70

L 56 67 68 78 86 95 L 55 71 77 77 L 64 65 73 73

while Freddie Freeman took most of the innings defensively at first base, Canizares took advantage of the time to focus on hitting. The Cuban defector earned his third straight Class AAA All-Star bid and then finished the year on a hitting tear that easily won him the International League hitting crown with a .353 average with 28 doubles, 13 home runs and an OPS of .907.

Freddie Freeman No player began the season with the Gwinnett Braves to more excitement than the then-20-year-old Freeman. In the top prospect’s only full season in Class AAA, Freeman didn’t get off to a blistering start, but he grew into a complete player by the end of August, earning him a September call-up.

Freeman started the year struggling at the plate, flying most of his at-bats out to the opposite field. By season’s end, he sprayed the ball wherever he needed to, including putting

together a 5-for-5 night Aug. 26, three days before Atlanta called his name.

He finished the year tied for second in the IL with a .319 average, he led the GBraves with 28 doubles and 18 home runs.

Matt Young The undersized outfielder from Texas got a small taste of AAA at the end of 2008 when he filled out the G-Braves playoff roster. But it wasn’t until last season that Young was able to show off his ability. A notorious slow starter, Young did the same with the G-Braves, but it lasted until midseason. But when he heated up by the All-Star break, Young couldn’t get out of the lineup. He ended the year hitting .300, led the IL with 39 stolen bases and was second on the team with 33 doubles.

Pitching vignettes There was no Tommy Hanson or Kris Medlen dominating performances, but the Gwinnett pitching staff put together short stints of greatness. The best single-game performance came from Todd Redmond, who threw the G-Braves’ first no-hitter and the first for the Class AAA organization since a combined effort in 1989.

Closer Craig Kimbrel finished tied for third in the IL with 23 saves despite spending large portions of the year in the Atlanta bullpen. Mike Minor only made a brief stop on his way from Mississippi but he dominated while here.

He went 4-1 with a 1.89 ERA in six appearances, striking out 37 batters in 331⁄3 innings of work.

PAGE 4 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

Special Easter Events fun activities and crafts free goodies for members*

April 9-23 • Don’t Forget to get your photo taken with the Easter Bunny today!

Hop over to the Nordstrom Court April 9 • Breakfast with the Easter Bunny* 8:30 a.m. in the Food Court. Reservations Required.

Call 678-482-2365 to make a reservation today!

April 23 • Easter Egg Hunt 8:30 a.m. in the Village. Hunt for more than 7,000 Easter eggs filled with a special treat!

Not a member? It’s just $5 to join!

Visit Simon Guest Services for details. *While supplies last.

Options galore G-Braves hope choice ups fan interest

BY BEN BEITZEL STAFF WRITER ben.beitzel@ gwinnettdailypost.com

If you are reading this, you don’t fit this category.

After two seasons, a regional marketing blitz including billboards, television, radio and print advertisements, plus coverage by nearly every media outlet around metro Atlanta, there are still people who don’t know the Gwinnett Braves exist.

That alone always shocks G-Braves general manager North Johnson.

But combating lagging awareness is just one of the challenges the Gwinnett Braves face entering their third season in the new Lawrenceville stadium as the team fights to find a way to substantially boost attendance figures.

It’s easy to list the problems: Traffic, work, school, location, proximity to the major-league team, other entertainment options.

But Johnson filled a stadium on the outskirts of Los Angeles and he filled one in a tourist town in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and he plans to fill Coolray Field.

“This was the first real year where we are going to be able to roll out everything the way I want to do it,” Johnson said.

Johnson didn’t start as general manager until January 2010, limiting his time to fully implement his plan leading into last season. The team saw a drop of nearly 1,000 people per game in 2010 and finished with the second-worst average attendance in the league.

This year, that excuse is gone.

TICKETOPTIONS The Gwinnett Braves expanded their ticket options in hopes of increasing attendance. Here is a look at ticket plans and prices.

Half season Anytime tickets ■ Tickets good select 36 ■ A minimum of 10 tickhome games including ets can be used in any combination for any game opening weekend games during the regular season. • Home plate club $1,080 • Braves dugout $576 • Infield box $13.50 per • Infield box $468 ticket • Field box $369 • Field box $10.50 per • Baseline box $261 ticket • Baseline box $7.50 per Full season ticket ■ The same seat for all Weekend packages 72 home games ■ Separate choices offer • Home plate club row A $2,500 tickets to either every Fri• Home plate club rows Bday and Saturday or D $2,000 every Saturday and Sun• Braves dugout $1,100 day game.

• Infield box $864 • Infield box $310.50 • Field box $648 • Field box $235.75 • Baseline box $432 • Baseline box $172.50

There is a highly expanded promotional calendar that includes an opening day appearance from former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox. There are also scheduled appearances by Jerry “The King” Lawler, the Cowboy Monkey and Captain America. There are six different “Bark in the Park” Sunday games, fireworks on Friday nights, exclusive internet deals on Wednesdays, two-for-one tickets on Tuesday, five “Kids Eat Free” Monday games and bobblehead, T-shirt and replica stadium giveaways.

The team will also host elementary school students early in the season with morning games to combine a field trip with education.

The stadium will also host Willie Nelson and Boston Pops concerts when the baseball team is out of town.

“We’ve really tried to take our promotions to another level,” Johnson said.

And the options don’t end with more appearances, promotions and freebies. Johnson and his staff also revamped the ticket options, adding a variety of packages including anytime tickets. A minimum of 10 tickets must be purchased, but the tickets can be redeemed for any game in any combination from 10 single game tickets to 10 tickets for one game.

There are also weekend, half and full ticket options.

But with both tickets and promotions, the focus is options.

Johnson said he now understands the type of market he is dealing with in Gwinnett and the surrounding areas. His plan is to focus on weekends and understanding the stands may not be full for first pitch. He just wants people in the seats eventually.

“That is the real fun part of our business, the creative part,” Johnson said.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 5

GWINNETT BRAVES 2011 SCHEDULE April

May

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri 1

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri

2

1

2

3

4

5

2:05 6

5

4

7

8

9

8

DUR DUR DUR 7:05 10

13

12

11

14

7:05 15

17

7:05

7:05

20

19

18

7:05

7:05 21

7:05 22

1:05

16

15

7:05

25

24

7:15

1:05

7:15 27

26

12:15 28

7:15 29

23

7:15

7:05

7:05

7:05

7:05

1

2

7:15 6

5

7

8

7:15 9

30

13

14

6:15 16

6:15 17

6:15 18

7:05

12:05 19

20

7:05 21

1:05

Sat 3 7:15 10

30

BUF BUF BUF 7:05

10:35 a.m.

31

7:05

1:05

7:05

3

6

7

8

7:05 9

7:05 10

2:05 12

7:05 13

7:00 14

19

20

7:00 15

7:05 21

7:00 16

1

11

17

18

7:05 27

7:05 28

7:05

CHA 2:05

23

24

25

17

29

7:05

7:05

7:05

30

5:05

7:05

7:05

7:05

Promotions April 7: G-Braves T-shirt for first 2,000 fans April 8: Jerry "The King" Lawler appearance April 9: Cowboy Monkey rodeo April 10: Bark in the Park April 15: Jackie Robinson Day April 28: College Night April 29: Royal wedding expo April 30: Mini LED for first 4,000 fans May 1: Gwinnett County Hall of Fame Day May 14: Chopper piggy bank for first 2,500 fans May 15: Baseball 101 for women May 19: Taste of Gwinnett May 30: Camo jersey auction June 4: Freddie Freeman bobblehead for first 4,000 fans June 5: Bark in the Park June 16: Dudes vs. food

AWAY

• All games are available on the radio on 550-AM and noted games are televised on Comcast Sports Southeast

Our friendly & knowledgeable staff can help you create a unique, colorful, and inspirational garden

2:05

6:15

BUF ..............Buffalo CHA ..........Charlotte COL ........Columbus DUR ............Durham IND ......Indianapolis LHV....Lehigh Valley LOU ..........Louisville

*Scheduled doubleheader

4

5

7:05 11

7:05 12

7:15 13

All-Star Game Salt Lake City 18

19

7:05 25

7:05

7:15

26 7:05

2:05

9

8

20

7:15 14

7:05 15

7 2:05

16

21

7:05 22

7:05 27

12:05

14

7:05

28 7:05

29

2:05 21

7:15 30

7:05

8

Sat 6

CHA CHA CHA

7:05 9

5

7:15 10

11

7:15 12

7:05

7:05 15

7:05 16

7:05 17

7:05 18

7:05

13

19

7:05 20

PAW PAW SYR SYR SYR SYR CHA

7:05 23

7:15

7:05

4

CHA SWB SWB SWB SWB PAW PAW

7:05

NOR NOR NOR 7:05

3

IND IND IND

7:05

2:05 22

7:00 23

7:00 24

7:00 25

7:00 26

7:15 27

CHA CHA CHA

NOR NOR NOR

2:15

7:05

28

7:05 10:35 29

30

7:05

7:05

31

NOR DUR DUR NOR

7:05

2:05

June 18: Coolray Field replica for first 2,500 fans June 21-23: Youth clinic June 23: Singles mingles July 4: Patriotic thunder sticks giveaway July 9: G-Braves drawstring bag for first 2,000 fans July 10: Bark in the Park July 16: Rally appearance July 20: Superhero night/Captain America appearance July 30: Backpacks for the first 2,000 fans Aug. 6: Lunch box for first 2,000 fans Aug. 7: Bark in the Park Aug. 12: Pink jersey auction Aug. 12-14: Cancer awareness weekend Aug. 26: Kids campout Aug. 27: Automotive night

7:05

7:05

7:15

Aug. 28: Hockey day Sept. 4: Bark in the Park, fan appreciation day All season Mondays: Kids eat free (except May 16) Tuesdays: KRAFT Singles Night — buy one ticket, get one free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a game Wednesdays: Exclusive online deals offered throughout the season on Facebook, Twitter and GwinnettBraves.com. Deals will be announced one week prior to the game.

Thursdays: Receive $3 food and beverages at select portables Fridays: Fireworks after the games Sundays: Kids can run the bases after the game or play catch on the field

At the Audiology Center of Snellville, we understand how difficult hearing loss can be.

We’re here to help you hear better and improve your quality of life.

FREE Hearing Screening

•• WATER WATER GARDENS GARDENS Koi, turtles, water plants, and supplies.

•• PALMS, PALMS, TROPICALS, TROPICALS, AND AND SUCCULENTS SUCCULENTS

PAGE 6 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

7

2

www.audiologysnellville.com

Huge variety, thousands to choose from.

E ENTIRE FAMILY A FUN EXPERIENCE FOR TH

6

1

2176-C Oak Road, Snellville, GA • 770-972-4327

•• PERENNIALS PERENNIALS

Unusual plants found nowhere else in the Atlanta area

31

NOR NOR DUR DUR DUR DUR IND

7:05

Opponent key NOR..............Norfolk PAW ........Pawtucket ROC ........Rochester SWB ........Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre SYR ..........Syracuse TOL ..............Toledo

2

NOR LOU LOU LOU LOU NOR NOR 24

COL COL LOU LOU LOU

7:05

7:05

7:05

7:05

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri

DUR DUR DUR CHA CHA CHA CHA 10

DUR SYR SYR SYR SYR COL COL 2:05

7:05 3

7:05

Sat

LOU DUR

7:05

DUR DUR DUR 7:05 22

7:00

August

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri

4

BUF BUF TOL TOL TOL TOL IND

26

2:05

HOME

5

7:05

BUF LHV LHV

7:05

7:05

IND IND

7:05

2

Sat

LHV LHV BUF BUF

7:05

2:05

29

CHA CHA 2:05

12

7:05

IND

1:35

NOR CHA CHA 4

11

LHV LHV LHV

7:15

September Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri

7:05

10:35 7:05 10:35 7:05 7:05 6:35 a.m. a.m.

23 28 26 25 27 24

22

CHA CHA COL COL COL COL SWB 2:15

10

1

TOL TOL ROC ROC ROC ROC LHV 2:05

DUR DUR NOR NOR NOR NOR CHA 5:05

9

7:05

July

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri

7

ROC PAW PAW PAW PAW TOL TOL

7:05

DUR NOR NOR NOR CHA CHA DUR 2:05

7:05

6

Sat

ROC ROC ROC

SWB SWB SWB 3

June

Sat

Offer Expires 4/29/11

SPRING HOURS: MON-SAT 9-6 SUN 12-6

$400 OFF

a set of Premium Digital Hearing Aids Offer Expires 4/29/11

Samuel F.Vaught, Au. D.

COOLRAYFIELD Below is a diagram of the stadium seating chart and the prices for each section.

To purchase single game tickets, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. For more information on ticket plans, visit gwinnettbraves.com.

PARKING&DIRECTIONS 1 Braves Avenue, Lawrenceville, Ga., 30043 Cost $5 per car and $10 per bus FROM I-85 SOUTH ■ Take exit 115, Ga. Hwy. 20 towards Buford/Lawrenceville. Keep right at fork, follow signs for GA-20 east/Lawrenceville merge onto Buford Dr NE/GA-20. Follow GA-20 east (Buford Dr.), at third stop light make a right on Technology Center Parkway and take the first left crossing over the bridge into general parking lots C, D, E, F, and G. FROM I-85 NORTH ■ Take exit 115 towards Lawrenceville GA-20 east (Buford Dr.). Follow GA-20 east (Buford Dr.), at third stop light make a right on Technology Center Parkway and take the first left crossing over the bridge into general parking lots C, D, E, F, and G. FROM I-985 SOUTH ■ Take exit 4 GA-20/US-23 south toward Cumming/Buford. Turn right at Technology Center Parkway and take the first left crossing over the bridge and enter into general parking lots C,D,E,F, and G.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 7

Changing minds Redmond still chasing big chance

BY GUY CURTRIGHT Staff Correspondent

Despite the presence of some of baseball’s top upand-coming pitchers as teammates, Todd Redmond led the Gwinnett Braves in victories each of the past two years.

Of course, that comes with qualification.

Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen and Jonny Venters, along with full-time reliever Craig Kimbrel, didn’t stay around for even one full season in Gwinnett on the way to Atlanta.

A new wave of prime pitching prospects will start arriving at Coolray Field this season. Redmond, meanwhile, will keep trying to get noticed.

The right-hander has obviously had his positive moments, including a nohitter last season against Louisville. There just haven’t been quite enough of them.

“He’s got to stay hungry and be ready when an opportunity does come,” G-Braves manager Dave Brundage said.

Redmond, 25, was 9-6 in 27 games with Gwinnett in 2009 and 9-10 in 28 starts last season.

Home runs have been a problem. He allowed 21 each season. Otherwise, he hasn’t been able to stay in a groove.

“He’s lacked some consistency,” Brundage said.

“He gives you innings and does a lot of things for our ballclub. He’s a competitor. But he still has some thing to work on to get where he wants to go.”

Redmond was under-

standably disappointed not to be invited to big league spring training this year after being removed from the 40-man roster last year.

“At first, it was like ‘ W h a t ’s g o i n g o n ? ’ ” Redmond said. “But you just have to go with it Todd and work Redmond hard so you can try to change some minds.

“I thought I was a better pitcher last year than the year before. I have to keep that going. If I do, hopefully I’ll get that major league chance. I don’t think they’ve forgotten about me. I think I’m still on their minds.”

A fastball, slider pitcher, Redmond started to use a split-finger pitch more as last season went along.

He thinks it will continue to help him.

“I’m able to control it now and it’s more of my go-to strikeout pitch,” said Redmond, who was originally in the Pittsburgh organization.

“It’s definitely an added bonus in my pitch selection now.”

Redmond pitched 1622⁄3 innings last season and had 142 strikeouts to 42 walks while posting a 4.26 ERA. He was just short of the International League lead in innings pitched and ranked among the strikeout leaders. Twice he was named IL pitcher of the week.

The first time was after the no-hitter at Louisville on May 28, a 4-0 victory that is his only complete game. He walked two and struck out three.

“It’s a day I’ll always remember,” Redmond said. “I felt really good and my defense made a lot of great plays.”

Outside of his no-hitter, though, Redmond’s best work the last two years has been for Team USA, not the G-Braves.

The Florida native was 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA and flirted with a perfect game in one start as the United States won the gold medal at the 2009 World Cup. Then last fall he went 2-0, including a seven-inning scoreless outing, as the U.S. shared a bronze medal in the Pan American Games qualifier.

“It was another great opportunity,” Redmond said of the Pan American experience in Puerto Rico. “I love playing for the United States. There is nothing better than competing for your country.

And doing well makes it really nice.”

Now he wants to match that kind of success during the summer.

Redmond was 13-5 for Class AA Mississippi in 2008 and was named the most outstanding pitcher in the Southern League.

But the move up to Class AAA has proved tougher than he had hoped.

Still ahead is an even bigger hurdle.

“You don’t want to stay in the minors forever,” Redmond said. “Everyone’s goal is to get to the big leagues.”

PAGE 8 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

G-BRAVES’ COACHING ...

Dave BRUNDAGE Position: Manager Age: 46 Home: Portland, Ore. Background: Former minor league player. ... Led Richmond to the International League Governors’ Cup championship in 2007 in his first season with the Atlanta organization. ... He formerly managed in the Seattle system, winning two Texas League titles in Class AA.

Marty REED Position: Pitching coach Age: 49 Home: Boston Background: Spent the past two seasons coaching pitchers at Class AA Mississippi. ... Came to the Braves’ organization in 2009 after 10 seasons with the L.A. Dodgers including spending 2006-08 as the team’s minor league pitching coordinator. ... Spent three seasons as the head coach of Pfeiffer University and was on the staff at the University of Tampa when the program won consecutive Division II National Championships.

Jamie DISMUKE Position: Hitting coach Age: 41 Home: Syracuse, N.Y. Background: Former minor league first baseman. ... Finished 2008 season as interim manager of Class AA Chattanooga in the Cincinnati organization before joining the G-Braves.

WE PUT THE

GOOD FOOD N I s H O STOP BY AND JOIN US AT ONE OF OUR ATLANTA LOCATIONS 3217 Buford Drive in Buford • 770-271-0534 830 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road in Lawrenceville • 770-237-3780

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 9

THE LINEUP

Here are 30 players in the Atlanta Braves’ system likely to fit in with the Gwinnett Braves this season. Many will start the year in Gwinnett. Others are expected to arrive at some point during the G-Braves’ third campaign.

Brent Clevlen

Jose Erik Constanza Cordier

Yohan Flande

Cory Gearrin

Mauro Gomez

Tim Gustafson

Position: Outfield Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-1, 205 Birthplace: Austin, Texas How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent in 2009 Worth noting: Suffered a toe injury after being promoted to Atlanta last May, interrupting his season. … Was 1-for-4 in four games with Braves. …

Played in 53 games for the G-Braves, hitting .257 with three homers and 27 RBIs. … Appeared in 55 games for Detroit over parts of three seasons (2006-2008), hitting .233 with three homers in 73 at-bats. … Second-round draft pick of the Tigers in 2002.

Position: Outfield Age: 27 Height/weight: 5-9, 150 Birthplace: Santo Domingo, D.R. How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Made the IL all-star team after hitting .319 and stealing 34 bases last season for Columbus. … Added six stolen bases in the postseason has Columbus won the AAA Championship. … Had eight triples among 20 extra-base hits during regular season. … Drew 35 walks and had .373 onbase percentage. … Had spent entire career with Cleveland organization until joining the Braves, posting a .304 average.

Position: LHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-2, 180 Birthplace: El Seibo, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Originally signed by Philadelphia and spent six seasons in the Phillies organization. … Was 10-8 with a 4.38 ERA for Reading in the Class AA Eastern League last season, making 27 starts. … Pitched for the World Team in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game. … Was 11-5 with Class A Clearwater and Reading that season. … Has 37-23 career record.

Position: RHP Age: 24 Height/weight: 6-3, 200 Birthplace: Chattanooga, Tenn.

How acquired: Fourthround draft choice in 2007 Worth noting: Led the G-Braves with 52 appearances last season, going 3-5 with a 3.36 ERA. … Went to the Arizona Fall League after the season and was 1-0 with a 3.93 ERA in 10 games for the Phoenix Desert Dogs. … Pitched at Mercer after transferring from Young Harris. … All 153 of the sidearm pitcher’s minor league appearances have come in relief.

Position: 1B Age: 26 Height: 6-2 Weight: 230 Birthplace: Bani, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent in 2009 Worth noting: Hit .281 with 42 doubles, 16 homers and 80 RBIs last season for M-Braves in first year with the organization. … Won two Southern League player of the week awards and played in the all-star game. …

Spent seven seasons in the Texas organization. …

Hit a career-high 28 homers and drove in 94 runs with Bakersfield in 2009.

Position: RHP Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-3, 200 Birthplace: Hollywood, Fla. How acquired: Ninthround draft choice in 2007 Worth noting: Was 11-9 with a 5.20 ERA with the G-Braves and Mississippi last season. …

Pitched in 30 games, 22 of them starts. … Was 76 with a 5.70 ERA in 14 games for Gwinnett, walking 39 to 36 strikeouts in 661⁄3 innings. …

Missed most of the 2008 season after reconstructive elbow surgery. …

Baseball and football standout at Parkview. …

Pitched at Georgia Tech.

Juan Abreu

Jairo Asencio

J.C. Boscan

Shawn Bowman

Michael Broadway

Willie Cabrera

Barbaro Wilkin Canizares Castillo

Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-0, 180 Birthplace: Sabana Grande Palenque, D.R. How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent in 2009 Worth noting: Saved 11 games for Mississippi last season after recording one for Myrtle Beach. … Was a combined 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA for the two teams in 47 games. … Ranked as the Braves’ No. 27 prospect by Baseball America. … Originally signed with Kansas City in 2003. … Had 16 saves in Class A and AA for the Royals organization in 2009.

Position: RHP Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-2, 205 Birthplace: Sabana Grande Palenque, D.R. How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent in 2007 Worth noting: Missed all last season because of visa problems related to his real identity. … Formerly known as Luis Valdez. … Led the International League with 27 saves for Gwinnett in 2009 and was named the relief pitcher of the year. … Had a 5-4 record and 3.28 ERA for the GBraves, striking out 75 in 711⁄3 innings. … Also pitched in three games with Atlanta in 2009.

Position: Catcher Age: 31 Height/weight: 6-2, 215 Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela How acquired: Resigned as minor league free agent in 2008.

Worth noting: Originally signed by Braves in 1996 at age 16. … Hit .250 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 66 games for the G-Braves last year. … Made his major league debut at the end of the season and walked and scored a run in his only plate appearance. … Also played in the Milwaukee and Cincinnati organizations. … Noted for his defense and arm.

Position: 3B-1B Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-3, 223 Birthplace: New Westminster, B.C., Canada How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Hit .263 with 22 homers and 69 RBIs in 106 games for New Hampshire in the Class AA Eastern League. … Claimed off waivers by Toronto from the New York Mets at the end of spring training a year ago. … Originally a 12th-round draft choice of the Mets in 2002. …

Has 79 career homers in the minors. … Plays for Canada in international competition.

Position: RHP Age: 24 Height/weight: 6-5, 210 Birthplace: Paducah, Ky. How acquired: Fourthround draft choice in 2005 Worth noting: Was 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA and a save in 23 games with Mississippi before being promoted to Gwinnett last July. … Was 4-0 with a 5.73 ERA in 17 games for the G-Braves. …

Began his career as a starter. … Half of his 40 appearances last year were two innings or more. … Pitched in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Position: Outfield Age: 24 Height/weight: 5-11, 195 Birthplace: Los Angeles How acquired: 14thround draft choice in 2005 Worth noting: Batted .306 with 37 doubles and 57 RBIs in 99 games with Mississippi last season and played in the Southern League all-star game. … Also spent time with the G-Braves, hitting .192 in eight games. …

Hit .290 with 16 homers for Class A Myrtle Beach in 2008, making the allstar team. … Also made the Appalachian League all-star team with Danville in 2006, batting .308.

Position: 1B-DH Age: 31 Height/weight: 6-3, 240 Birthplace: Havana, Cuba How acquired: Signed as international free agent in 2006 Worth noting: Won the IL batting title with a .341 average last season. …

Had 28 doubles, 13 homers and 77 RBIs in 126 games. … Had .403 on-base average and .504 slugging mark …

Selected for the AAA AllStar Game the past three years. … Was named to the All-Caribbean Series team this winter playing for Mexico. … Played in five games for Atlanta in 2009, going 5-for-21.

Position: Catcher Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-0, 200 Birthplace: Bani, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Batted .256 with nine homers and 35 RBIs in 92 games for Louisville last season. ... Originally signed by Arizona and then traded to Cincinnati. ... Played in 18 games with the Reds in 2008 and got into four games with Cincinnati in 2009. ... Has a .314 major league average (11-for35). ... Missed the second half of 2009 after shoulder surgery. ... Can also fill in at other positions.

Rowdy Hardy

Kenshin Rodrigo Diory Hernandez Kawakami Lopez

Ed Lucas

Stephen Marek

Mike Minor

Dan Nelson

Tyler Wilkin Pastornicky Ramirez

Todd Jay Redmond Sborz

Jordan Schafer

Jacob Anthony Thompson Varvaro

Position: LHP Age: 28 Height/weight: 6-4, 170 Birthplace: Dallas How acquired: Taken in minor league phase of Rule 5 draft Worth noting: Converted from a starter to a reliever by Kansas City last season and went 43 with a 3.44 ERA and three saves for Northwest Arkansas of the Class AA Texas League. … Held left-handed hitters to a .167 average. … Was Ohio Valley Conference player of the year in 2005 at Austin Peay. … Was 15-5 with a 2.48 ERA in 2007 while pitching in the Class A Carolina League.

Position: Shortstop Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-0, 185 Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. How acquired: Signed as international free agent in 2002 Worth noting: Got a late start last season after suffering a shoulder injury playing in the Dominican Winter League. … Hit .319 in 30 games for the G-Braves and also played in 20 games with Atlanta. … Had only nine at-bats with the Braves. … Had 85 at-bats in 33 games for Atlanta in 2009, when he hit .319 in 54 games with Gwinnett. … Can also play second and third base.

Position: Infield Age: 28 Height/weight: 6-3, 205 Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Mich.

How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Drafted in the 12th round by Kansas City in 2004 and spent his first seven seasons in the Royals organization. … Hit a personal-best .307 for Omaha in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. … Also set a career high with 13 homers. … Drew 52 walks and had a .398 on-base percentage. …

Has spent most time at third base, but can play all infield positions.

Position: RHP Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-2, 240 Birthplace: Houston How acquired: Trade with Angels in 2008 Worth noting: Had a breakthrough season in 2010, appearing in 60 games with Mississippi and Gwinnett. … Didn’t allow a run in 11 appearances in Class AA to start the season, going 4-0 with four saves. … Then was 2-2 with a 1.43 ERA and nine saves in 49 games for the G-Braves. … He had 74 strikeouts in 631⁄3 innings overall. … Last remaining part of Mark Teixeira trade.

Position: LHP Age: 23 Height: 6-4 Weight: 205 Birthplace: Chapel Hill, Tenn.

How acquired: Seventh overall pick in 2009 draft Worth noting: Was 4-1 with 1.89 ERA in six starts for Gwinnett last season. … Began 2010 at Mississippi, where he struck out 109 in 87 innings and was 2-6 with 4.03 ERA. … In nine games with Atlanta, went 3-2 with 5.98 ERA. … Had 146 strikeouts over 1201⁄3 innings in the minors and 43 in 402⁄3 innings with Atlanta. … Set the Braves’ rookie record with 12 strikeouts against the Cubs on Aug. 22.

Position: Third base Age: 27 Height: 5-11 Weight: 180 Birthplace: Los Angeles How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Played for five teams last season. … Batted .429 with a homer and six RBIs in five games for Gwinnett at the end of the year. …

Started the season in the Nationals’ organization. … Had a .275 overall average with 13 homers and 68 RBIs in 117 games in Class A, AA and AAA. … Originally drafted by St. Louis in 2004.

Position: Shortstop Age: 21 Height: 5-11 Weight: 170 Birthplace: Bradenton, Fla. How acquired: Trade with Toronto last season Worth noting: Part of the deal that sent Yunel Escobar to the Blue Jays last July. … Rated as the Braves’ No. 14 prospect

by Baseball America. …

Played in the Arizona Fall League and was selected for the Rising Stars Game. … Joined Mississippi from Dunedin of the Florida State League after the trade. … Stole 24 bases at Dunedin and 11 more for Mississippi while batting .254.

Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-3, 215 Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Fla. How acquired: Trade with Pittsburgh in 2008 Worth noting: Pitched a no-hitter for the G-Braves last season at Louisville. … Led Gwinnett in victories each of the past two years, going 9-10 in 2010 and 9-6 in 2009. …

Pitched for gold medalwinning Team USA in the World Cup in 2009 and was 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA. … Played for winning U.S. in Pan-Am qualifier last fall. … Had his best season in 2008, posting a 13-5 record for Class AA Mississippi.

Position: Outfield Age: 24 Height/weight: 6-1, 200 Birthplace: Hammond, Ind. How acquired: Sixthround draft pick in 2004 Worth noting: Never was 100 percent last season after wrist surgery in 2009. … Rehabbed at Rome and Mississippi before batting .201 in 52 games with the GBraves. … Finished the season on the disabled list at Mississippi. … Hit two homers in his major league debut in the season opener at Philadelphia in 2009, but batted just .204 in 50 games with the Braves. … Hurt wrist in home opener.

Position: RHP Age: 24 Height: 6-6 Weight: 235 Birthplace: Danville, Va. How acquired: Fifthround draft choice in 2008 Worth noting: Was 8-10 with a 4.72 ERA for Mississippi last season. …

Struck out 87 and walked 45 in 1322⁄3 innings. … Was 4-3 with a 2.43 ERA in his last 10 starts for Mississippi. …

Pitched in the ACC at Virginia. … Got to make his professional debut in his hometown with the Braves’ Appalachian League rookie team.

Position: RHP Age: 35 Height/weight: 5-11, 200 Birthplace: Tokushima, Japan How acquired: Signed as Japanese free agent in 2009 Worth noting: Was sent to Gwinnett last season after going 1-10 with a 5.15 ERA in 18 games for Atlanta. … He was 01 with a 4.29 ERA in five starts for G-Braves. …

Was 7-12 with 3.86 ERA during first season with Braves in 2009. … Compiled a 112-72 record during 11 seasons in Japan with Chunichi. …

Was named MVP of the Central League after going 17-7 in 2004.

PAGE 10 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

Position: Pitcher Age: 35 Height/weight: 6-1, 185 Birthplace: Tiainepantia, Mexico.

How acquired: Signed to minor league contract as free agent Worth noting: Started 33 games for Arizona last season, going 7-16 with a 5.00 ERA while pitching 200 innings. … Led majors with 37 homers allowed. … Pitched for Mexico in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics. … Has career record of 75-82. … He was 14-9 for Baltimore in 2004 and 15-12 in 2005. … Missed most of 2008 recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Position: Outfield Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-2, 190 Birthplace: Bani, Dominican Republic How acquired: Cash trade with Detroit last July 31 Worth noting: Played in 24 games with Gwinnett last season, batting .253. … Had 23 homers combined with Gwinnett, Toledo and Class AA Erie of the Eastern League. … Also had 70 RBIs. … Got into 15 games with Detroit in 2009, going 4-for-11 with a triple and home run. … Played on the World Team last year in All-Star Futures Game, going 1-for-2.

Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-4, 230 Birthplace: Green Bay, Wis. How acquired: Trade with Kansas City in 2007 Worth noting: Will start the season on the disabled list after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery in late January. … Ranked by Baseball America as Atlanta’s No. 13 prospect. … He was 11-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 25 games for Mississippi last year before making two starts at the end of the season for Gwinnett. … Pitched 71⁄3 scoreless innings at Charlotte in the final game.

Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-4, 210 Birthplace: Washington, D.C. How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Will start season on the disabled list because of shoulder problems. … Was a second-round draft choice by Detroit in 2003 and had spent his entire career with the Tigers. … Had 19 saves last season in the International League with Toledo, but was 1-6 with a 4.74 ERA. …

Struck out 42 and walked 24 in 432⁄3 innings with the Mud Hens. … Pitched in one game with Tigers last season.

Position: RHP Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-0, 195 Birthplace: Staten Island, N.Y. How acquired: Claimed off waivers from Seattle Worth noting: Got into four games with the Mariners at the end of last season. … Spent most of the year at Class AA West Tenn, where he had a 3.20 ERA and nine saves in 31 games. … Had reconstructive elbow surgery shortly after being taken in the 12th round of the 2005 draft by the Mariners out of St. John’s. … Was 9-3 with a 2.32 ERA as a senior and led the Big East with 115 strikeouts.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 11

THE LINEUP

Here are 30 players in the Atlanta Braves’ system likely to fit in with the Gwinnett Braves this season. Many will start the year in Gwinnett. Others are expected to arrive at some point during the G-Braves’ third campaign.

Brent Clevlen

Jose Erik Constanza Cordier

Yohan Flande

Cory Gearrin

Mauro Gomez

Tim Gustafson

Position: Outfield Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-1, 205 Birthplace: Austin, Texas How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent in 2009 Worth noting: Suffered a toe injury after being promoted to Atlanta last May, interrupting his season. … Was 1-for-4 in four games with Braves. …

Played in 53 games for the G-Braves, hitting .257 with three homers and 27 RBIs. … Appeared in 55 games for Detroit over parts of three seasons (2006-2008), hitting .233 with three homers in 73 at-bats. … Second-round draft pick of the Tigers in 2002.

Position: Outfield Age: 27 Height/weight: 5-9, 150 Birthplace: Santo Domingo, D.R. How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Made the IL all-star team after hitting .319 and stealing 34 bases last season for Columbus. … Added six stolen bases in the postseason has Columbus won the AAA Championship. … Had eight triples among 20 extra-base hits during regular season. … Drew 35 walks and had .373 onbase percentage. … Had spent entire career with Cleveland organization until joining the Braves, posting a .304 average.

Position: LHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-2, 180 Birthplace: El Seibo, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Originally signed by Philadelphia and spent six seasons in the Phillies organization. … Was 10-8 with a 4.38 ERA for Reading in the Class AA Eastern League last season, making 27 starts. … Pitched for the World Team in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game. … Was 11-5 with Class A Clearwater and Reading that season. … Has 37-23 career record.

Position: RHP Age: 24 Height/weight: 6-3, 200 Birthplace: Chattanooga, Tenn.

How acquired: Fourthround draft choice in 2007 Worth noting: Led the G-Braves with 52 appearances last season, going 3-5 with a 3.36 ERA. … Went to the Arizona Fall League after the season and was 1-0 with a 3.93 ERA in 10 games for the Phoenix Desert Dogs. … Pitched at Mercer after transferring from Young Harris. … All 153 of the sidearm pitcher’s minor league appearances have come in relief.

Position: 1B Age: 26 Height: 6-2 Weight: 230 Birthplace: Bani, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent in 2009 Worth noting: Hit .281 with 42 doubles, 16 homers and 80 RBIs last season for M-Braves in first year with the organization. … Won two Southern League player of the week awards and played in the all-star game. …

Spent seven seasons in the Texas organization. …

Hit a career-high 28 homers and drove in 94 runs with Bakersfield in 2009.

Position: RHP Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-3, 200 Birthplace: Hollywood, Fla. How acquired: Ninthround draft choice in 2007 Worth noting: Was 11-9 with a 5.20 ERA with the G-Braves and Mississippi last season. …

Pitched in 30 games, 22 of them starts. … Was 76 with a 5.70 ERA in 14 games for Gwinnett, walking 39 to 36 strikeouts in 661⁄3 innings. …

Missed most of the 2008 season after reconstructive elbow surgery. …

Baseball and football standout at Parkview. …

Pitched at Georgia Tech.

Juan Abreu

Jairo Asencio

J.C. Boscan

Shawn Bowman

Michael Broadway

Willie Cabrera

Barbaro Wilkin Canizares Castillo

Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-0, 180 Birthplace: Sabana Grande Palenque, D.R. How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent in 2009 Worth noting: Saved 11 games for Mississippi last season after recording one for Myrtle Beach. … Was a combined 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA for the two teams in 47 games. … Ranked as the Braves’ No. 27 prospect by Baseball America. … Originally signed with Kansas City in 2003. … Had 16 saves in Class A and AA for the Royals organization in 2009.

Position: RHP Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-2, 205 Birthplace: Sabana Grande Palenque, D.R. How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent in 2007 Worth noting: Missed all last season because of visa problems related to his real identity. … Formerly known as Luis Valdez. … Led the International League with 27 saves for Gwinnett in 2009 and was named the relief pitcher of the year. … Had a 5-4 record and 3.28 ERA for the GBraves, striking out 75 in 711⁄3 innings. … Also pitched in three games with Atlanta in 2009.

Position: Catcher Age: 31 Height/weight: 6-2, 215 Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela How acquired: Resigned as minor league free agent in 2008.

Worth noting: Originally signed by Braves in 1996 at age 16. … Hit .250 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 66 games for the G-Braves last year. … Made his major league debut at the end of the season and walked and scored a run in his only plate appearance. … Also played in the Milwaukee and Cincinnati organizations. … Noted for his defense and arm.

Position: 3B-1B Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-3, 223 Birthplace: New Westminster, B.C., Canada How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Hit .263 with 22 homers and 69 RBIs in 106 games for New Hampshire in the Class AA Eastern League. … Claimed off waivers by Toronto from the New York Mets at the end of spring training a year ago. … Originally a 12th-round draft choice of the Mets in 2002. …

Has 79 career homers in the minors. … Plays for Canada in international competition.

Position: RHP Age: 24 Height/weight: 6-5, 210 Birthplace: Paducah, Ky. How acquired: Fourthround draft choice in 2005 Worth noting: Was 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA and a save in 23 games with Mississippi before being promoted to Gwinnett last July. … Was 4-0 with a 5.73 ERA in 17 games for the G-Braves. …

Began his career as a starter. … Half of his 40 appearances last year were two innings or more. … Pitched in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Position: Outfield Age: 24 Height/weight: 5-11, 195 Birthplace: Los Angeles How acquired: 14thround draft choice in 2005 Worth noting: Batted .306 with 37 doubles and 57 RBIs in 99 games with Mississippi last season and played in the Southern League all-star game. … Also spent time with the G-Braves, hitting .192 in eight games. …

Hit .290 with 16 homers for Class A Myrtle Beach in 2008, making the allstar team. … Also made the Appalachian League all-star team with Danville in 2006, batting .308.

Position: 1B-DH Age: 31 Height/weight: 6-3, 240 Birthplace: Havana, Cuba How acquired: Signed as international free agent in 2006 Worth noting: Won the IL batting title with a .341 average last season. …

Had 28 doubles, 13 homers and 77 RBIs in 126 games. … Had .403 on-base average and .504 slugging mark …

Selected for the AAA AllStar Game the past three years. … Was named to the All-Caribbean Series team this winter playing for Mexico. … Played in five games for Atlanta in 2009, going 5-for-21.

Position: Catcher Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-0, 200 Birthplace: Bani, Dominican Republic How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Batted .256 with nine homers and 35 RBIs in 92 games for Louisville last season. ... Originally signed by Arizona and then traded to Cincinnati. ... Played in 18 games with the Reds in 2008 and got into four games with Cincinnati in 2009. ... Has a .314 major league average (11-for35). ... Missed the second half of 2009 after shoulder surgery. ... Can also fill in at other positions.

Rowdy Hardy

Kenshin Rodrigo Diory Hernandez Kawakami Lopez

Ed Lucas

Stephen Marek

Mike Minor

Dan Nelson

Tyler Wilkin Pastornicky Ramirez

Todd Jay Redmond Sborz

Jordan Schafer

Jacob Anthony Thompson Varvaro

Position: LHP Age: 28 Height/weight: 6-4, 170 Birthplace: Dallas How acquired: Taken in minor league phase of Rule 5 draft Worth noting: Converted from a starter to a reliever by Kansas City last season and went 43 with a 3.44 ERA and three saves for Northwest Arkansas of the Class AA Texas League. … Held left-handed hitters to a .167 average. … Was Ohio Valley Conference player of the year in 2005 at Austin Peay. … Was 15-5 with a 2.48 ERA in 2007 while pitching in the Class A Carolina League.

Position: Shortstop Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-0, 185 Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. How acquired: Signed as international free agent in 2002 Worth noting: Got a late start last season after suffering a shoulder injury playing in the Dominican Winter League. … Hit .319 in 30 games for the G-Braves and also played in 20 games with Atlanta. … Had only nine at-bats with the Braves. … Had 85 at-bats in 33 games for Atlanta in 2009, when he hit .319 in 54 games with Gwinnett. … Can also play second and third base.

Position: Infield Age: 28 Height/weight: 6-3, 205 Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Mich.

How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Drafted in the 12th round by Kansas City in 2004 and spent his first seven seasons in the Royals organization. … Hit a personal-best .307 for Omaha in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. … Also set a career high with 13 homers. … Drew 52 walks and had a .398 on-base percentage. …

Has spent most time at third base, but can play all infield positions.

Position: RHP Age: 27 Height/weight: 6-2, 240 Birthplace: Houston How acquired: Trade with Angels in 2008 Worth noting: Had a breakthrough season in 2010, appearing in 60 games with Mississippi and Gwinnett. … Didn’t allow a run in 11 appearances in Class AA to start the season, going 4-0 with four saves. … Then was 2-2 with a 1.43 ERA and nine saves in 49 games for the G-Braves. … He had 74 strikeouts in 631⁄3 innings overall. … Last remaining part of Mark Teixeira trade.

Position: LHP Age: 23 Height: 6-4 Weight: 205 Birthplace: Chapel Hill, Tenn.

How acquired: Seventh overall pick in 2009 draft Worth noting: Was 4-1 with 1.89 ERA in six starts for Gwinnett last season. … Began 2010 at Mississippi, where he struck out 109 in 87 innings and was 2-6 with 4.03 ERA. … In nine games with Atlanta, went 3-2 with 5.98 ERA. … Had 146 strikeouts over 1201⁄3 innings in the minors and 43 in 402⁄3 innings with Atlanta. … Set the Braves’ rookie record with 12 strikeouts against the Cubs on Aug. 22.

Position: Third base Age: 27 Height: 5-11 Weight: 180 Birthplace: Los Angeles How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Played for five teams last season. … Batted .429 with a homer and six RBIs in five games for Gwinnett at the end of the year. …

Started the season in the Nationals’ organization. … Had a .275 overall average with 13 homers and 68 RBIs in 117 games in Class A, AA and AAA. … Originally drafted by St. Louis in 2004.

Position: Shortstop Age: 21 Height: 5-11 Weight: 170 Birthplace: Bradenton, Fla. How acquired: Trade with Toronto last season Worth noting: Part of the deal that sent Yunel Escobar to the Blue Jays last July. … Rated as the Braves’ No. 14 prospect

by Baseball America. …

Played in the Arizona Fall League and was selected for the Rising Stars Game. … Joined Mississippi from Dunedin of the Florida State League after the trade. … Stole 24 bases at Dunedin and 11 more for Mississippi while batting .254.

Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-3, 215 Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Fla. How acquired: Trade with Pittsburgh in 2008 Worth noting: Pitched a no-hitter for the G-Braves last season at Louisville. … Led Gwinnett in victories each of the past two years, going 9-10 in 2010 and 9-6 in 2009. …

Pitched for gold medalwinning Team USA in the World Cup in 2009 and was 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA. … Played for winning U.S. in Pan-Am qualifier last fall. … Had his best season in 2008, posting a 13-5 record for Class AA Mississippi.

Position: Outfield Age: 24 Height/weight: 6-1, 200 Birthplace: Hammond, Ind. How acquired: Sixthround draft pick in 2004 Worth noting: Never was 100 percent last season after wrist surgery in 2009. … Rehabbed at Rome and Mississippi before batting .201 in 52 games with the GBraves. … Finished the season on the disabled list at Mississippi. … Hit two homers in his major league debut in the season opener at Philadelphia in 2009, but batted just .204 in 50 games with the Braves. … Hurt wrist in home opener.

Position: RHP Age: 24 Height: 6-6 Weight: 235 Birthplace: Danville, Va. How acquired: Fifthround draft choice in 2008 Worth noting: Was 8-10 with a 4.72 ERA for Mississippi last season. …

Struck out 87 and walked 45 in 1322⁄3 innings. … Was 4-3 with a 2.43 ERA in his last 10 starts for Mississippi. …

Pitched in the ACC at Virginia. … Got to make his professional debut in his hometown with the Braves’ Appalachian League rookie team.

Position: RHP Age: 35 Height/weight: 5-11, 200 Birthplace: Tokushima, Japan How acquired: Signed as Japanese free agent in 2009 Worth noting: Was sent to Gwinnett last season after going 1-10 with a 5.15 ERA in 18 games for Atlanta. … He was 01 with a 4.29 ERA in five starts for G-Braves. …

Was 7-12 with 3.86 ERA during first season with Braves in 2009. … Compiled a 112-72 record during 11 seasons in Japan with Chunichi. …

Was named MVP of the Central League after going 17-7 in 2004.

PAGE 10 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

Position: Pitcher Age: 35 Height/weight: 6-1, 185 Birthplace: Tiainepantia, Mexico.

How acquired: Signed to minor league contract as free agent Worth noting: Started 33 games for Arizona last season, going 7-16 with a 5.00 ERA while pitching 200 innings. … Led majors with 37 homers allowed. … Pitched for Mexico in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics. … Has career record of 75-82. … He was 14-9 for Baltimore in 2004 and 15-12 in 2005. … Missed most of 2008 recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Position: Outfield Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-2, 190 Birthplace: Bani, Dominican Republic How acquired: Cash trade with Detroit last July 31 Worth noting: Played in 24 games with Gwinnett last season, batting .253. … Had 23 homers combined with Gwinnett, Toledo and Class AA Erie of the Eastern League. … Also had 70 RBIs. … Got into 15 games with Detroit in 2009, going 4-for-11 with a triple and home run. … Played on the World Team last year in All-Star Futures Game, going 1-for-2.

Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-4, 230 Birthplace: Green Bay, Wis. How acquired: Trade with Kansas City in 2007 Worth noting: Will start the season on the disabled list after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery in late January. … Ranked by Baseball America as Atlanta’s No. 13 prospect. … He was 11-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 25 games for Mississippi last year before making two starts at the end of the season for Gwinnett. … Pitched 71⁄3 scoreless innings at Charlotte in the final game.

Position: RHP Age: 25 Height/weight: 6-4, 210 Birthplace: Washington, D.C. How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent Worth noting: Will start season on the disabled list because of shoulder problems. … Was a second-round draft choice by Detroit in 2003 and had spent his entire career with the Tigers. … Had 19 saves last season in the International League with Toledo, but was 1-6 with a 4.74 ERA. …

Struck out 42 and walked 24 in 432⁄3 innings with the Mud Hens. … Pitched in one game with Tigers last season.

Position: RHP Age: 26 Height/weight: 6-0, 195 Birthplace: Staten Island, N.Y. How acquired: Claimed off waivers from Seattle Worth noting: Got into four games with the Mariners at the end of last season. … Spent most of the year at Class AA West Tenn, where he had a 3.20 ERA and nine saves in 31 games. … Had reconstructive elbow surgery shortly after being taken in the 12th round of the 2005 draft by the Mariners out of St. John’s. … Was 9-3 with a 2.32 ERA as a senior and led the Big East with 115 strikeouts.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 11

Step from the show Former G-Braves stock young big league roster

BY BEN BEITZEL STAFF WRITER ben.beitzel@gwinnettdailypost.com

There is a fine symmetry in baseball other sports lack. Nine players, nine innings. Three strikes and out, three outs and end of the inning. Four balls a free base and four bases a run scored.

And that’s just in a game. There is a vertical symmetry from the farm system to the bigs. Each level is a new chance to showcase or to fail. There is the rookies league for the new players to adjust to professional life, there are low and high Class A, then AA, then AAA. The major leagues are the elusive and exclusive final destination. Each stop is a filter designed to identify those worthy for advancement and those undeserving. It’s a multi-pronged job interview fraught with pitfalls. Dreams die at every stop, but they also grow.

Once a player reaches Class AAA Gwinnett, inches from the the goal, the hopes are at their apex, the dream just one step away. But the short drive from Coolray to Turner Field represents the chasm between a wish and reality.

Even the most talented, assured and confident player can’t mask the ecstasy of the news that they were selected. It is realizing you are no longer dreaming.

Witness Freddie Freeman.

At the beginning of the 2010 season the young first baseman got great news.

The decision-makers in Atlanta decided him worthy to start the season with the Gwinnett Braves. Until that moment, it looked like his year would begin in Class AA Mississippi.

“It’s very exciting,” he said at the time. “It is just another step toward my ultimate goal.”

That next step took time.

Even as August wore down, Freeman’s call up to Atlanta wasn’t certain.

He tried to put it out of his mind and any thought of that dream moment didn’t affect his play. He ended the year tied for the second best average in the International League at .319, he was fourth in OPS at .898 and was second in doubles with 35.

But when September came, so did Freeman’s moment. Following a lateseason win at home over Norfolk, Freeman got the call into Gwinnett Braves manager Dave Brundage’s office. When he came out and walked back into the clubhouse all eyes turned to the towering 20-year-old 13 days before his 21st birthday. He shrugged and a gave a smile mixed with embarrassed joy, relief, pride and humility.

His teammates congratulated him.

That moment didn’t end Freeman’s career, it started it. He got the job he applied for all those years ago in California when he first put on a glove and swung a bat.

Those moments happen every year in Gwinnett.

Every Class AAA team feeds its major league parent, but the pipeline down I-85 from Coolray to Turner the past two seasons has delivered a near flood of talent that helped put the Atlanta Braves back in the playoffs last year. A look down Atlanta’s 2010 playoff roster tells the story. Of the 25 players active for the NLDS against the eventual World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, 10 spent significant time in Gwinnett at some point in the past two seasons. And that does not include players like pitcher Kris Medlen, who was inactive due to injury.

Some of them are gone from the organization, but names like Tommy Hanson, Jonny Venters, Brooks Conrad, Craig Kimbrel and Jason Heyward were familiar to G-Braves fans long before the casual Atlanta Braves fan saw them for the first time.

The pipeline doesn’t always flow up.

Outfielders Nate McLouth and Jordan Schafer, once starters in Atlanta, were sent to Gwinnett as replacement talent earned opportunities. Pitcher Kenshin Kawakami may start this season with the G-Braves, or lower, after joining the Braves as an acclaimed signing out of Japan.

But in two seasons, the flow mostly cruised toward Turner Field.

In 2009, Conrad played at nearly every position for Gwinnett, Hanson

PAGE 12 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

dominated the early part of the minor league season and Venters ended the year as one of the most consistent pitchers on the starting staff.

“The best part is you don't have to move,” Hanson said. “But Gwinnett and Atlanta are both good places to pitch. That helps.”

The next year, Venters solidified Atlanta’s playoff bullpen, Hanson won 10 games and Conrad came up with needed hits all season, including a game-winning grand slam.

“Playing in Gwinnett was really great. Being so close to Atlanta made it really nice,” Venters said. “You felt like the big leagues were so close and you knew that the Braves were keeping track of you. Look at all the players who were in Gwinnett that are in Atlanta now. It is really amazing what has happened to all of us.”

Venters is now battling with Kimbrel for a closer’s role in Atlanta. His dream became his life.

That’s the symmetry of baseball. Every day is another game, another opportunity for greatness.

And when one person makes the leap, the next day someone else is waiting.

The talent is always flowing.

File photo

For the kids...

BY BEN BEITZEL STAFF WRITER ben.beitzel@ gwinnettdailypost.com

From the day North Johnson took the reigns of the Gwinnett Braves, the general manager talked about creating and cultivating a family environment.

He remembers going to games as a youth with his parents. And for most people those memories are as lasting as they are sweet.

But the memories are more than just the players and the field. They are the smell of cooking food, cold drinks, the hope for a foul ball and perhaps an autograph from one of those nameless heros in jerseys.

But those are just the memories. In reality there are plenty of moments in any baseball game where attentions wane. It’s easy to get anyone excited for the National Anthem and first pitch. The inherent thrill of the players taking the field for the first time and that first pitch hitting the catchers mitt is as fleeting as the moment.

But that’s why Coolray Field offers more than just

a game and why the GBraves do everything they can to keep the attention, or at least placate, the youngest in the crowd. It’s why there is the mascot, Chopper, inflatables to play on in right field, games and skits between innings and on some games the carrot of fireworks or running the bases afterward.

And those things are only enhanced by Chopper’s Kids Club.

The kids club looks to build on the fun of a game by giving the members, 12years-old and younger, different perks throughout the season. Members get a Tshirt and a membership card, access to a team autograph session at the end of the year, a priority spot to run the bases and to the front of the line for the inflatables at Sunday games. They also will have access to a variety of events at Coolray Field during the season and receive a monthly newsletter from Chopper by e-mail.

And parents get something, too. For returning members or season ticket holders, joining costs $15 for the first child and $10

for the other siblings and new members cost $20 and $15. But each member receives a free infield box ticket to all 12 Sunday games that include an outfield catch after the game and discounts to use at Coolray Field.

The G-Braves also don’t leave out the older kids.

The team will host youth baseball clinics for children ages 8 to 16 on June 21, 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Along with instruction from players and coaches, the $100 fee includes lunch each day and autograph and picture opportunities. Each participant gets two tickets to the June 23 game and a chance to join the G-Braves as they take the field for that game’s National Anthem.

There are also opportunities for the G-Braves players or Chopper away from Coolray Field. The Gwinnett Braves take requests to have the mascot or current players attend an event if requested four weeks in advance. Details for the kids club, youth clinic and player or mascot appearances are available at www.gwinnettbraves.com SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 13

A ‘late bloomer’ 27-year-old Constanza joins G-Braves outfield

BY GUY CURTRIGHT Staff Correspondent

Jose Constanza struck out four times in a game against Gwinnett last season, which seemingly would have been a red flag.

The speedy outfielder did enough in his other outings for Columbus against the GBraves, though, to leave manager Dave Brundage with a positive impression.

Now Brundage will get to manage a player who will go into the International League with a 33-game onbase streak that included nine playoff games as Columbus won the Governors’ Cup and the AAA National Championship a year ago.

“He was a great signing by our front office,” Brundage said.

Constanza, 27, hit .319 and stole 34 bases last season for Columbus, playing in the AAA All-Star Game and also making the International League season all-star team. The Cleveland Indians didn’t promote the 5-foot-9 native of the Dominican Republic to their 40-man roster, though, and the Braves signed him as a minor league free agent.

“He’s possibly a guy who could be a late bloomer,” Brundage said. “Not everybody is going to be great right off the bat. He’s gotten progressively better throughout his career.”

Constanza batted .282 and stole 49 bases in his second season with Class AA Akron in 2009, then had an even better season last year in his first crack at Class AAA. “He’s a speed guy for the top of the order,” Brundage said. “He knows who he is

Special Photo

Jose Constanza joins the G-Braves this season after spending last year as an All-Star with the Columbus Clippers.

as a player now and maybe he didn’t earlier. He slaps the ball to the left side, he bunts, he does the things to take advantage of the way he can run.”

The left-handed hitter had just 20 extra-base hits last year, but his eight triples led the International League. He struck out 54 times compared to 35 walks and dropped down eight sacrifice bunts.

Constanza almost always made it when he tried to steal. He was caught just six times during the regular season and ran at will during the playoffs. In addition to hitting .308 in the nine postseason games, he stole six bases and scored eight runs.

“He can really run,” Gwinnett hitting coach Jamie Dismuke said. “He’ll

bunt and when you come in on him, he’ll slap it by you.

“But he can drive the ball in the gaps, too. He’s a wellrounded hitter. He just needs to catch a break.”

Constanza followed his good season at Columbus by hitting .304 with four triples and 12 stolen bases in 29 games while playing in the Dominican Winter League.

But he was 4-for-18 in 12 Grapefruit League games this spring for Atlanta before being sent down to minor league camp.

“He loves playing the game and he’s going to keep doing all the little things to try to get to the big leagues,” Brundage said. “He’s hungry and wants to do what it takes to make it. He’s thinking big-time goals and I like that.”

PAGE 14 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

Sandberg among seven new managers in IL this season

BY GUY CURTRIGHT Staff Correspondent

When interim manager Mike Quade was retained as Lou Piniella’s permanent replacement, one of the Chicago Cubs’ alltime favorites decided it was time to move on.

Ryne Sandberg’s destination? The Philadelphia Phillies organization, where the second baseman’s Hall of Fame career got its start.

Sandberg, who had spent four seasons managing in the Cubs organization with hopes of someday taking over in Chicago, will instead manage the Phillies’ Class AAA Lehigh Valley team in the International League this season.

Sandberg, 51, comes with impressive creden-

IL BREAKDOWN ■ SOUTH DIVISION Team Affiliation Durham Bulls Rays Gwinnett Braves Braves Charlotte Knights White Sox Norfolk Tides Orioles

Manager Charlie Montoyo Dave Brundage *Joe McEwing Gary Allenson

2010 88-55 72-71 67-77 67-77

■ WEST DIVISION Louisville Bats Reds Columbus Clippers Indians Indianapolis Indians Pirates Toledo Mud Hens Tigers

Rick Sweet Mike Sarbaugh *Dean Treanor *Phil Nevin

79-64 79-65 71-73 70-73

■ NORTH DIVISION Scranton/W-B Yankees Dave Miley 87-56 Syracuse Chiefs Nationals *Randy Knorr 76-67 Buffalo Bisons Mets *Tim Teufel 76-68 Pawtucket PawSox Red Sox *Arnie Beyeler 66-78 Lehigh Vall. IronPigs Phillies *Ryne Sandberg 58-86 Rochester Red Wins Twins Tom Nieto 49-95 *New manager

tials, although they apparently weren’t good enough to convince the Cubs that he was ready for the major league job.

He was named manager of the year in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League last season after guiding Iowa to a record

of 82-62.

At Lehigh Valley, Sandberg will replace Dave Huppert and hopes to lead the four-year-old IronPigs to their first winning record.

Maybe Sandberg will have the same instant success that Mike Sarbaugh — far less acclaimed — did last season with Columbus.

Sarbaugh moved up from Class AA Akron in the same Cleveland organization and led the Clippers to the Governors’ Cup championship and a win in the AAA national championship game.

Half of the 14 teams in the International League will have new managers in 2011, with the most changes coming in the Northern Division. Including Sandberg, four of the

six managers are new. The others are Randy Knorr at Syracuse, Tim Teufel at Buffalo and Arnie Beyeler at Pawtucket.

That barely tops the West Division, where half of the four teams switched managers. Dean Treanor took over at Indianapolis and Phil Nevin got the job at Toledo after Larry Parrish was named hitting coach of the Atlanta Braves.

The only new manager in the South Division is Joe McEwing at Charlotte.

Durham in the South, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the North and Louisville in the West have been the pacesetters in the International League in recent seasons and managers Charlie Montoyo, Dave

Miley and Rick Sweet, respectively, all return.

Montoyo has managed Durham to the title in the South Division in each of his four seasons with the Bulls, although present GBraves manager Dave Brundage led wild-card Richmond to the Governors’ Cup championship in 2007.

Atlanta’s AAA team moved to Gwinnett in 2009 and the G-Braves have finished second to Durham in both of their seasons, claiming a wildcard playoff spot the first year.

Entering his sixth year as Atlanta’s AAA manager, Brundage is second in International League team longevity behind Sweet, who is beginning his seventh season in Louisville.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 10% OFF SPRING SPECIAL! ..................................

GCS CONTRACTING

• Basement Finishing • Kitchen Remodeling • Bath Remodeling • Additions • Decks • Fencing • Painting • General Repairs No Job Too Big or Too Small website www.

DUMPSTERS

FOR RENT Available Sizes:

• 10 Yard Dumpster • 15 Dumpster • 25 Yard Dumpster

GCSContracting Online.com

TRASH MASTERS

770-771-2810

(770)682-0503

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 15

Canizares’ love for hitting showing at the plate

BY GUY CURTRIGHT Staff Correspondent

Talk about his love for hitting and Barbaro Canizares’ face brightens.

There is no masking his sincere affection. He’s smitten.

“I’ve lived with a couple of bats in the bed,” he says through an interpreter.

Canizares, who escaped Cuba five years ago, has always been able to hit a baseball. In fact, it has been a life’s work.

“His passion for hitting is unprecedented,” Gwinnett manager Dave Brundage said.

Canizares, listed as 32 years old, has played five seasons in Class AAA after signing with the Braves, all under Brundage. It has been a hit parade, with Canizares topping the charts last year.

“He’s no longer a secret weapon,” Brundage said.

Forced by Freddie Freeman’s presence at first base to be a designated hitter almost exclusively in a league where it is not used for all games, Canizares made the most of every opportunity.

All Canizares did was hit .341, leading the International League by a hefty margin. And needless to say, there were no leg hits.

“It’s amazing what he did last year,” G-Braves hitting coach Jamie Dismuke said. “He wouldn’t play for a few games, then pinch hit and absolutely square a ball up. He has tremendous hand-to-eye coordination.”

Still, that didn’t get Canizares a call to Atlanta in September or a look this spring. Not even helping lead Mexico to the

“He doesn’t take anything for granted. I’m sure he gets disappointed at times. But at the same time, he appreciates what he has.”

After all, Canizares could be back in Cuba and out of baseball.

“It’s tough,” Dismuke said of the IL batting champ not getting a chance to move up. “But in the big picture, he has a job.”

Canizares certainly appreciates that and he is definitely proud of last season.

“I work every year trying to do my best,” he said. “I felt very good to File win the batting title. Every Three-time International League all-star Barbaro Canizares takes a swing dur- year I try to get more and more hits.” ing a game last season.

Canizares didn’t stop Caribbean Series champi- player quickly and there and that is what he’s done. hitting when the season onship this winter helped was an American League series at Baltimore comhis cause.

“Yes, I feel a little bit ing up.

Because of the DH, bad because I had a good year in AAA and thought I Canizares got a few starts. would get a chance,” said But he was just 4-for-21 in Canizares, who has made five games and hasn’t the IL all-star team each received a second chance.

Canizares, though, of his two years with Gwinnett. “But I’m just keeps soldiering on. He’s going to keep working thankful just to be playing hard and see what hap- baseball. It was almost taken away from him. pens.”

After being caught tryCanizares has the misfortune of being primarily ing to defect from Cuba, a designated hitter in a Canizares received a lifeNational League organiza- time ban in his country. Of tion that doesn’t need one. course, that made him “Sometimes you have even more determined to to be persistent in this leave. Eventually, he made game,” Brundage said. it out.

But Canizares’ best “When an opportunity arises, you have to take years were obviously in advantage of it. I think Cuba, where he was one Atlanta knows what he of the stars for the chamcan do. He can swing the pionship team. Many bat. If given the opportu- believe he is much older nity, I feel good with Bar- than listed.

“What he went through baro Canizares.”

Canizares got his only makes him really apprecichance in the majors early ate the game,” Brundage in 2009 and it was a brief said.

“The man loves to hit one. The Braves needed a

PAGE 16 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

was over, either. He just kept on keeping on in Mexico.

He hit .320 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs in 56 games during the regular season for Obregon and then batted .333 in the Caribbean Series as Mexico won the championship in Puerto Rico. Canizares was named to the allseries team.

“I felt really good,” he said. “It was the first time I got to play for Mexico. I never got to play for Cuba.

It was great to win. I loved that. It made me so happy.”

What would make him the happiest, of course, would be to get back to the majors and stay there this time.

“I’m going to keep trying,” Canizares said.

G-BRAVESSTATS Player, POS Barbaro Canizares Diory Hernandez Freddie Freeman Matt Young Wes Timmons Gregor Blanco Joe Thurston Brent Clevlen J.C. Boscan Mitch Jones Nate McLouth Wilkin Ramirez Luis Bolivar Brandon Hicks Jordan Schafer Alex Romero Willy Taveras J.C. Holt Clint Sammons Josh Anderson

G 126 30 124 134 114 44 131 53 66 119 34 65 58 77 52 18 40 15 84 36

Player W Todd Redmond 9 Jose Ortegano 3 Chris Resop 6 Cory Gearrin 3 Tim Gustafson 7 Ryne Reynoso 2 Scott Diamond 4 Craig Kimbrel 3 Cristhian Martinez 5 Vladimir Nunez 1 Stephen Marek 2 Michael Dunn 2 Jo-Jo Reyes 1 Mariano Gomez 3 Brandon Beachy 2 James Parr 2 Scott Proctor 4 Jeff Lyman 0 Mike Minor 4 Michael Broadway 4 Lee Hyde 2 Kenshin Kawakami 0 Jair Jurrjens 1 Erik Cordier 1 Jonny Venters 1 Eric O'Flaherty 0 Takashi Saito 0

2010 season Individual Stats (Batting) AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI 425 58 145 28 1 13 77 116 13 37 7 2 0 17 461 73 147 35 2 18 87 487 88 146 33 5 3 35 386 67 113 23 1 6 43 154 26 44 8 0 1 11 465 53 127 18 4 13 67 191 19 49 8 0 3 29 220 20 55 11 0 5 21 417 57 103 31 1 19 54 128 18 30 1 0 6 18 236 31 54 7 3 8 28 184 19 40 6 2 2 13 261 27 55 9 1 7 22 189 16 38 5 1 1 8 58 2 11 1 0 1 2 138 16 25 5 1 0 4 36 4 6 0 0 0 3 271 24 44 7 0 5 24 93 10 15 3 0 0 1

Individual Stats (Pitching) L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP 10 4.26 28 28 1 1 0 162.2 11 6.20 21 20 0 0 0 103.0 3 2.09 15 15 1 1 0 82.0 5 3.36 52 0 0 0 0 80.1 6 5.70 14 13 0 0 0 66.1 7 5.40 14 10 0 0 0 56.2 1 3.36 10 10 1 1 0 56.1 2 1.62 48 0 0 0 23 55.2 1 3.08 23 2 0 0 0 52.2 1 4.50 31 1 0 0 0 52.0 2 1.43 49 0 0 0 9 50.1 0 1.52 38 0 0 0 7 47.1 5 5.70 12 10 0 0 0 47.1 2 2.89 30 0 0 0 1 46.2 0 2.17 8 7 0 0 1 45.2 5 5.16 9 9 0 0 0 45.1 3 7.08 31 0 0 0 0 34.1 0 4.72 21 0 0 0 0 34.1 1 1.89 6 6 0 0 0 33.1 0 5.73 17 0 0 0 0 22.0 3 4.29 22 0 0 0 0 21.0 1 4.29 5 5 0 0 0 21.0 1 5.54 3 3 0 0 0 13.0 1 5.63 2 2 0 0 0 8.0 0 1.35 2 1 0 0 0 6.2 0 0.00 3 0 0 0 0 4.0 0 0.00 1 1 0 0 0 1.0

TB 214 48 240 198 156 55 192 66 81 193 49 91 56 87 48 15 32 6 66 18

BB 40 4 43 57 60 23 32 22 22 26 19 20 8 20 14 3 8 3 30 2

SO 54 21 84 53 33 28 64 62 51 105 21 82 46 74 47 10 24 6 59 17

SB 2 3 6 39 19 9 7 3 1 6 7 9 9 10 9 1 13 1 2 8

AVG .341 .319 .319 .300 .293 .286 .273 .257 .250 .247 .234 .229 .217 .211 .201 .190 .181 .167 .162 .161

H 156 122 53 72 82 76 53 28 45 61 38 31 57 41 40 54 45 32 19 21 24 26 20 7 4 1 1

R ER BB SO 86 77 44 142 77 71 44 85 20 19 32 91 32 30 32 66 44 42 39 36 41 34 26 40 25 21 15 33 13 10 35 83 22 18 8 49 30 26 25 41 13 8 19 56 12 8 25 64 33 30 15 50 18 15 18 28 17 11 6 48 26 26 17 28 29 27 15 29 24 18 23 26 7 7 12 37 17 14 9 19 12 10 12 17 12 10 5 22 8 8 6 9 5 5 7 4 1 1 1 6 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 1

DOWNONTHEFARM Class AA Who: Mississippi Braves League: Southern League Where: Pear, Miss.

Manager: Rocket Wheeler Class High A Who: Lynchburg Hillcats League: Carolina League Where: Lynchburg, Va. Manager: Luis Salazar Class A Who: Rome Braves League: South Atlantic League

Where: Rome Manager: Matt Walbeck Rookie - Advanced Who: Danville Braves League: Appy League Where: Danville, Va. Manager: Randy Ingle Rookie Who: Gulf Coast League Braves League: Gulf Coast League Where: Kissimmee, Fla. Manager: Jonathan Schuerholz

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 17

New wave

Teheran tops list of pitching prospects headed to Gwinnett

BY GUY CURTRIGHT Staff Correspondent

With all the pitching talent that has come through Coolray Field on the way to Atlanta the past two seasons, it is hard to believe that another wave of top prospects is right behind them.

Best yet for the Braves’ future, this group could be even better.

Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen, Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters, Mike Minor and Brandon Beachy have set the bar high. Julio Teheran, Randall Delgado, Aroydys Vizcaino, J.J. Hoover, Brett Oberholtzer and Carlos Perez may clear it, though.

Teheran, Delgado and Vizcaino are names that ever scout already knows well, even if casual fans don’t.

Only one of the three is even 21 yet, but all will likely be in Atlanta by 2013, if not earlier. It wouldn’t be shocking if Teheran was there by the end of this season, although he is the youngest of the trio.

“That’s the next wave,” Atlanta general manager Frank Wren said.

“We have two or three of the top pitching prospects in the game coming.”

In fact, Baseball America ranks Teheran, who turned 20 in January, as the No. 1 pitching prospect.

MLB.com has the right-hander from Colombia second behind only Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who is almost four years holder.

“You feel good about our minor league system,” Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Our people are doing the job, because you see kids coming up and throwing 100 (mph) and throwing the ball over the plate.”

Teheran topped out at 97 mph this spring and that may have been what Vizcaino really hit during a

Grapefruit League game as well.

But the Champion Stadium scoreboard read 101 mph, which created a major buzz.

Teheran will likely reach Gwinnett at some point this season. Delgado and Vizcaino could as well, also the later goes into this season having never pitched above Class A. The Braves, in fact, are so loaded with strong arms that not all of them are on the mound. Take young catcher Christian Bethancourt for example.

“He’s got the best arm I’ve seen on a young catcher since Pudge [Rodriguez].” Wren said.

The Braves placed six players on Baseball America’s list of the 100 best prospects going into this season.

Only Kansas City and Tampa Bay had more, with nine and seven, respectively.

That’s being well stocked, especially since the Braves have already had so many young players reach the majors the past couple of years.

Hanson finished third for National League rookie of the year in 2009 and outfielder Jason Heyward was second last year. Many expect first baseman Freddie Freeman to be in the running this season.

That’s one big wave of talent.

Now another is approaching led

by Teheran, Delgado and Vizcaino.

“You feel good that if something does happen in the major league rotation or the bullpen, these kids can do it,” Gonzalez said.

“It makes us all proud to see these young arms and these young players coming up,” Gwinnett manager Dave Brundage said.

“This is our future with the Atlanta Braves and it’s not that far away.”

PAGE 18 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

TOP10COMINGATTRACTIONS A glance at the upcoming talent in the Atlanta Braves minor league system, including some prospects that may pass through Class AAA Gwinnett in the near future: ■ 1. Julio Teheran, right-handed starter Barely 20 years old, the native of Colombia is ranked as the minors’ top pitching prospect by Baseball America. He jumped from Class A Rome to Advanced Class A Myrtle Beach to Class AA Mississippi last year, not missing a beat. He was 9-8 with a 2.59 ERA and had 159 strikeouts in 1422⁄3 innings.

Teheran pitched in the All-Star Futures Game and was the starter in a combined no-hitter at Mississippi. The bonus of $850,000 he received in 2007 was the largest for any international pitcher that year, but it has turned out to be a bargain.

■ 2. Randall Delgado, right-handed starter Delgado, who turned 21 in February, led the Carolina League in strikeouts with 120 last season despite being promoted to Mississippi in mid-July. He topped the Braves system with 162 strikeouts overall. He was unheralded when signed at 16 in Panama, but is now just behind Teheran as a prospect although he doesn’t quite have the hype. Baseball America rates him as the No. 30 prospect in baseball. Was a hard-luck pitcher last season, losing a game at Myrtle Beach despite striking out 12 in seven innings.

■ 3. Matt Lipka, shortstop The Braves’ top draft choice last June has made a quick impression and is the fastest player in the system. Lipka, who turns 19 on April 15, hit .302 with 20 stolen bases in the Gulf Coast League before finishing the season at Danville. He received a bonus of $80,000 to skip a baseball scholarship to Alabama. He was also a football standout in high school, twice earning all-state status as a wide receiver in Texas. He is set start this season at Class A Rome.

■ 4. Arodys Vizcaino, right-handed starter The former New York Yankees prospect throws about as hard as Teheran and has a plus-plus curveball. Vizcaino, 20, was 9-4 with a 2.39 ERA before suffering elbow problems after being promoted to Myrtle Beach and has made complete recovery. He had 68 strikeouts to nine walks in 72 innings at Rome after being the key player in the trade of Javier Vazquez to New York before the season.

■ 5. J.J. Hoover, right-handed starter The 23-year-old was 14-7 last season between Myrtle Beach and Mississippi, posting a 3.26 ERA in 24 starts in the Carolina League. His victory total led the Braves system. He had 152 strikeouts in 154 innings and has as come far after being a 10-round draft choice out of Alabama’s Calhoun Community College in 2008. He was 10-2 with a 2.17 ERA the final two months last season after he changed the hand position on his delivery.

■ 6. Carlos Perez, left-handed starter Perez, 19, was named the top prospect in the rookie Appalachian League after going 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in six starts last year. He was promoted to Rome, but missed the end of the season because of a fractured rib. The native of the Dominican Republic received a bonus of $600,000 in 2008 and that could turn out to be a steal. He has stuff, poise and pitching intelligence.

■ 7. Brett Oberholtzer, left-handed starter He was taken in the eighth round of the 2008 and is part of the Braves’ success drafting junior college pitchers, having played at Seminole in Florida. He needed just four starts last season for Rome to earn a promotion to Myrtle Beach. Had 136 strikeouts in 136 innings and walked just 23. He struck out 12 in his final start of the season and will be part of the loaded Mississippi rotation this season.

■ 8. Tyler Pastornicky, shortstop When the Braves traded Yunel Escobar to Toronto last season, they possibly got their shortstop of the future as well as their shortstop of the present (Alex Gonzalez). Pastornicky, 21, moved up to Class AA after the trade and hit .254 with 11 stolen bases in 38 games despite being bothered by hamstring issues late in the season. Had 35 steals in 44 attempts overall at Dunedin and Mississippi.

■ 9. Christian Bethancourt, catcher Everyone raves about his arm, but he still needs to refine his work behind the plate. He’s just 19, though, and has plenty of potential. The native of Panama played at Rome last season and will move up to Myrtle Beach this year. He hit .251 in his first season above rookie ball. Had just three homers, but stole 11 bases.

■ 10. Edward Salcedo, shortstop The Braves won the bidding battle last February, giving the native of the Dominican Republic a bonus of $1.6 million. But he had a difficult first season in the U.S. at age 18, hitting .197 at Rome and struggling in the field as well. He’s 6-foot-3 and may eventually move to third base, but remains a potential five-tool player. Three years ago he almost signed a $2-million bonus with Cleveland, but the deal was voided.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • PAGE 19

PAGE 20 • GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011