Bulk of Future Stars Headed for Lynchburg

The Atlanta Braves Major League Club will take on a collection of future stars from the Braves minor league ranks Tuesday April 3, at Coolray Field, home of the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. The "Futures" roster is made up of 25 minor league prospects, 11 of which are likely to begin the 2012 season with the Lynchburg Hillcats. Eight "Futures" players are scheduled to start the season with Double-A Mississippi, three in Gwinnett, and three more with Single-A Rome. The "Futures" club will be managed by former Atlanta Braves Manager, Bobby Cox.

"Futures" pitchers J.R. Graham, Gus Schlosser, Matt Chaffee, and Ronan Pacheco are probable Hillcats. Graham (4th), Schlosser (17th), and Chaffee (12th) were all selected in the 2012 first-year player draft by the Braves. Pacheco signed as a minor league free agent in 2008 out the Dominican Republic. Graham put together the most impressive season of the four last year. He reported to Rookie-level Danville after signing and posted a 5-2 record with a 1.72 ERA in 13 appearances, eight starts. The right-hander was drafted out of the Santa Clara University in California and aims to join the rotation in Lynchburg this season.

Behind the plate for the "Futures" will be Christian Bethancourt, 2011 Hillcat, and Evan Gattis, probable 2012 Hillcat. Gattis spent 2011 with Rome. He won the South Atlantic League batting title with a .322 clip. He also hit 22 home runs and drove in 71 runs in 88 games. Bethancourt expects to move up to Mississippi to begin this season.

Infielders Tommy La Stella, Nick Ahmed, and Edward Salcedo will expect to join the Hillcats in April as well. Ahmed (2nd) and La Stella (8th) were drafted in the 2011 first-year player draft. Ahmed hit .262 with four home runs, 24 RBI, and 46 runs scored with Danville last year. La Stella hit .328 with Rome in 63 games with nine home runs and 40 RBI. He was the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for August 15-21 and was named an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star. Salcedo signed as a minor league free agent in 2010 out of the Dominican Republic. His $1.6 million signing bonus ranks fifth all-time in Braves history and is the highest bonus ever given by the Braves to an international player. Salcedo hit .248 with Rome in 2011. He played some shortstop but primarily started at third base, and expects to take over Lynchburg's starting third baseman role this season.

In the Outfield, three of the four "Futures" players are slotted to join Lynchburg this year. Todd Cunningham, 2011 Hillcat, is the only exception and he is expected to report to Mississippi. Matt Lipka, David Rohm, and Adam Milligan make up the rest of the "Futures" outfield, and are all probably 2012 Hillcats. Lipka was a supplemental first round pick for the Braves in 2010. He was drafted as a shortstop and played solely shortstop and second base for Rome last season, but he plans to utilize his plus speed (28 stolen bases in 2011) and transition to centerfield in 2012. Rohm, a ninth round draft pick in 2010, hit .289 with seven home runs and 58 RBI last season with Rome. Milligan will be returning to Lynchburg after spending an injury plagued 2011 with the club. He played just 64 games last season, but was able to total 12 home runs, 40 RBI, 19 doubles, and 35 runs scored to go with a .291 batting average.

All "Futures" players will report to their respective minor league clubs Wednesday April 4, the day after the Futures Game. See below for a complete list of the "Futures" roster and what teams they are expected to start the season with in 2012.

Remember, Hillcats' single-game tickets, book tickets, and season tickets are all currently on sale. Fans can purchase tickets in person at Lynchburg City Stadium, online at lynchburg-hillcats.com, or over the phone by calling the ticket office at 434-528-1144. Opening Day is April 6. The Hillcats will host the Potomac Nationals at 6:05pm. There will be a fireworks show presented by Liberty University and a Hillcats pennant giveaway presented by Express Lane and WROV.

Futures Team: Pitchers: LHP Luis Avilan (MIS), LHP Sean Gilmartin (MIS), RHP J.R. Graham (LYN), RHP David Hale (MIS), RHP Gus Schlosser (LYN), LHP Ryan Buchter (MIS), LHP Matt Chaffee (LYN), RHP Jaye Chapman (GWI), RHP J.J. Hoover (GWI), RHP Mark Lamm (MIS), and LHP Ronan Pacheco (LYN).

Catchers: Christian Bethancourt (MIS) and Evan Gattis (LYN).

Infielders: 1B Brandon Drury (ROM), 1B William Beckwith (ROM), 2B Phil Gosselin (MIS), 2B Tommy La Stella (LYN), SS Nick Ahmed (LYN), SS Elmer Reyes (ROM), 3B Joe Terdoslavich (GWI), and 3B Edward Salcedo (LYN).

Outfielders: Todd Cunningham (MIS), Matt Lipka (LYN), Adam Milligan (LYN), and David Rohm (LYN)