Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have experienced just one full season at the professional level.
“Both of them are young puppies, but you will continue to see them progress,” Pendleton said. “If they continue to grow the way they have, I think you will see them in the big leagues.”
Gil, who ranks as the Braves' No. 14 prospect, and Guanipa, who ranks No. 15 on the same list, were the two highest ranked Braves position player prospects to participate in this year’s event. Both should begin this season where they ended last season, with Single-A Augusta.
Both prospects produced a near .800 OPS in the Florida Complex League before receiving a promotion. With the elimination of short-season Rookie-level teams, they made the jump to the Single-A ranks and struggled. Guanipa had a .450 OPS in 32 games and Gil had a .552 OPS over 39 games.
This was a humbling experience for Guanipa, who received a $2.5 million signing bonus. Gil has successfully played the underdog role since receiving a far more meager $110,000 signing bonus.
“We knew what we were sending there,” Pendleton said. “We knew it was going to be kids that weren't going to get crushed by this. Some kids lose confidence and they're done. You have to be real sensitive with certain kids. You can't send them there knowing that if they fail or don't succeed, they're done. These two kids will fight you, too, until they’ve got nothing left, you know? We knew they would bounce back if they had success or didn't have success.”
Gil started at shortstop on Sunday and went 1-for-3 with an infield single. He exited under his own power after seemingly pulling a left leg muscle while attempting to beat out a grounder in the sixth. Guanipa batted ninth and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout while playing center field.
Three of Sunday’s pitchers ranked among the Braves’ Top 12 prospects. Here is a look at how they did:
RHP JR Ritchie (Braves No. 8 prospect): The 21-year-old right-hander’s parents were among the friends and family members who flew from the Seattle area to see him start this game. They were treated to seeing him work a perfect first inning against three players from MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list -- Max Clark (No. 6), Kevin McGonigle (No. 28) and Thayron Liranzo (No. 81).
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Ritchie ended the first inning by striking out Liranzo with a 97 mph fastball. The young hurler, who was taken with the 35th overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft, allowed two runs, surrendered five hits and recorded a pair of strikeouts in three innings of work. He missed most of the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“It was a great experience all around,” Ritchie said. “I loved it and I felt great. It was everything I thought it would be.”
RHP Garrett Baumann (Braves No. 9 prospect): The 6-foot-8 pitcher towers over Isaiah Drake, his 6-foot roommate last year. Drake playfully got under Baumann’s skin in the dugout last year. The tall pitcher responded with an impressive performance over the remainder of that outing.
“He wasn’t happy about what [Drake] did, so I asked him a question,” Pendleton said. “'Why don’t you take that to the mound with you?' You could tell what he has to offer. At times, it seemed like he wasn’t sure of himself. I said, ‘Hey we need to see that bulldog on the mound.'”
Baumann’s inexperience and nerves were on display as he walked five of the 10 hitters he faced on Sunday. He flashed his potential with a 98 mph fastball that he will try to harness as he likely begins the upcoming season with High-A Rome.
RHP Didier Fuentes (Braves No. 12 prospect): The 19-year-old hurler was added to Atlanta’s roster Sunday and he took advantage of the chance to shine. He flashed an upper 90s fastball while recording three strikeouts in a scoreless seventh and added two more strikeouts in a scoreless eighth. He finished his outing with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth, finishing his day with a game-high 7 K's.
Supervising Club Reporter Mark Bowman has covered the Braves for MLB.com since 2001.
Will Robertson leads Bisons sweep over Charlotte on Thursday
Buffalo, N.Y. - A mix of strong pitching and clutch hitting led the Buffalo Bisons to a doubleheader sweep of the Charlotte Knights on Thursday afternoon. Alan Roden walked it off for the second straight game, a 3-2 comeback win, then Buffalo had a more comfortable 5-2 victory in game
Bisons Star Wars Night returns Saturday, May 31, including Jabba, Ahsoka Jerseys, Fireworks & More!
GET MY STAR WARS TICKETS The great Bisons summer tradition, Star Wars Night -Episode XVI, is set for Saturday, May 31 as the Herd hosts the Charlotte (not so Jedi) Knights with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch from Sahlen Field, presented by First Student (Gates 4:30 p.m.). With everything you
TOAST THE CHAMPS: Bisons extend Friday's Happy Hour Beer Specials for Downtown Celebration
GET MY TICKETS There's a title celebration in downtown Buffalo on Friday night and the Bisons want to toast the 3-Peat Champion Buffalo Bandits during the team's Honda fridaynightbash! against the Charlotte Knights on May 30. So, with first pitch between the Bisons and Knights set at 6:30 p.m., the
Bisons extend 'At-Par Pricing Discount' for Canadian Fans throughout 2025 season
GET AT-PAR PRICING DISCOUNT In appreciation for the great baseball fans of Southern Ontario that are part of ‘Our Herd,’ the Buffalo Bisons today announced that they have extended their ‘At-Par’ Pricing Discount for Canadian fans for the purchase of single-game tickets to any game for the entire 2025 season!
Bisons partner with Sahlen's, Watkins Glen International for a 'Race Night' Honda fridaynightbash! on May 30
GET MY RACE NIGHT 'BASH TICKETS Boogity, Boogity Boogity… let’s go racing! The Bisons have announced they have teamed up with Sahlen’s and Watkins Glen International for a special ‘Race Night’ Honda fridaynightbash!® on Friday, May 30 as the Herd hosts the Charlotte Knights at Sahlen Field (6:35 p.m. |
Homestand Lineup: Ballpark traditions School Kids Day, Star Wars Night return THIS WEEK!
GET MY TICKETS Ballpark events don’t get much bigger that the annual Bisons traditions of School Kids Day and Star Wars Night, both of which are this week as the Herd hosts the Charlotte Knights for a six-game homestand at Sahlen Field. Annually two of the highest-attended minor league baseball
Celebrate 'Youth Baseball Day' at Bisons Funday game vs. Knights, Sunday, June 1
GET MY TICKETS Join the Bisons and Wegman's for a celebration of the stars of tomorrow during the Herd's game against the Charlotte Knights on Sunday, June 1 with Youth Baseball Day at Sahlen Field (1:05 p.m.). Not only will kids be able to enjoy all the fun of a
Bisons host LEGO® NINJAGO® ‘Free Building Event’ before June 14 game against Columbus
GET MY TICKETS LEGO® masters, it's time to get your brick on… because LEGO® NINJAGO® is coming back to Sahlen Field! As the Bisons host the Columbus Clippers on Saturday, June 14, we’re hosting a LEGO® NINJAGO® Play Like a Ninja Free Building Event, starting when the gates open at
Give Blood, Get Tickets! Bisons team up with Connect Life to Offer 2 Free Tickets with May Donation
MAKE A RESERVATION TODAY Did you know that donating just one pint of blood can save up to 3 lives?... And when you donate blood with our great partners at Connect Life, you could be saving those 3 lives right here in the Western New York community!? Sounds like a
Bisons continue tradition of 'At Par' Pricing Discount on Single-Game Tickets for Canadian Fans, increased to 30% Off through May 31
LINK: DETAILS ON HOW TO GET AT-PAR PRICING The Buffalo Bisons organization greatly appreciates the amazing baseball fans of Southern Ontario who have become a part of our Herd, and to continue to welcome all fans to Sahlen Field, the team will continue their tradition of providing Canadian Fans an