As the start of the regular season approaches, the Atlanta Braves are beginning to trim their Spring Training roster down to 25 men for Opening Day.Over the weekend, recently acquired infielder Ryan Schimpf and pitcher Max Fried were optioned to Gwinnett to start the year, while others such as outfielder
As the start of the regular season approaches, the Atlanta Braves are beginning to trim their Spring Training roster down to 25 men for Opening Day.
Over the weekend, recently acquired infielder Ryan Schimpf and pitcher Max Fried were optioned to Gwinnett to start the year, while others such as outfielder Dustin Peterson and pitcher Matt Wisler continue to compete for big league roster spots.
The Braves (11-13) went 1-3 this weekend, with split-squad action Saturday:
March 16-18
3/16: Pirates 12, Braves 9
3/17 (SS): Phillies 10, Braves 6
Cardinals 3, Braves 0
3/18: Braves 6, Astros 3
Here's a look at notable performances from top Braves prospects and former Gwinnett players:
At the plate
Phenom
Ronald Acuña Jr. continued his tear this weekend, highlighted by a long two-run homer to left off Phillies starter
Zach Eflin on Saturday. He's now batting .432 this spring with four home runs (Weekend totals: 2 games, 4-for-8, 1 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 SO).
Catcher Rob Brantly, who seems likely to start the year in Triple-A given the Braves' depth at the position, continues to impress at the plate this spring. He hit two home runs Friday and is now batting .444 (9-for-19) this spring (Weekend totals: 2 games, 3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI).
Schimpf's struggles continue at the plate after another hitless weekend. He's now 0-for-30 this spring with 19 strikeouts (Weekend totals: 2 games, 0-for-6, 3 SO, 1 BB).
Infielder Rio Ruiz is starting to pick up his production at the plate after a slow start. He lifted a two-run homer off Phillies lefty Fernando Abad on Saturday and is now batting .231 (Weekend totals: 2 games, 3-for-7, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI).
On the mound
Wisler was stretched out to 3.1 innings in relief Friday against the Pirates, allowing just one run (Totals: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO).
Lucas Sims struggled mightily against the Phillies after a good outing last week. He allowed a lead-off homer to Carlos Santana (Totals: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 SO, 1 BB).
Meanwhile, reliever Shane Carle continues to open eyes after another scoreless outing against the Cardinals (Totals: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB).
Reliever Miguel Socolovich pitched well Sunday, striking out three over 2.0 innings (Totals: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 SO).
