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.
RoughRiders, Fenton Athletics partnership deal
FRISCO, Texas (May 7, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have announced a new partnership deal with Fenton Athletics, a premium indoor baseball and softball training facility based in Frisco, Texas. As part of the partnership, Fenton Athletics will use the Riders Field facilities, including
Riders welcome Hooks for fourth homestand presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
FRISCO, Texas (May 8, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders are thrilled to announce a packed week of promotions for their fourth homestand of the season presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, when the Riders host the Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros affiliate) on Tuesday, May 13th through Sunday, May 18th from
RoughRiders hang on to beat Missions 4-3
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (May 9, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders prevailed over the San Antonio Missions 4-3 on Friday night from Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, extending their win streak to three games. Box Score In his Double-A debut, RoughRiders (20-11) reliever Thomas Ireland came on for the save in
Osuna named April Rangers Minor League Defender of the Month
FRISCO, Texas (May 9, 2025) - On Friday, the Texas Rangers announced that RoughRiders outfielder Alejandro Osuna was named the Rangers Minor League Defender of the Month for April. It marks his second time earning the distinction, winning first in May of 2024 with High-A Hickory. Osuna, the Rangers No.
Early offense propels Riders to late-night victory
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (May 8, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders scored in each of their first four innings and capped the night with a four-run ninth in a 12-6 win over the San Antonio Missions on Thursday night from Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. Box Score After a one-hour, 23-minute
RoughRiders drop series opener to Missions
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (May 6, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders lost their series opener to the San Antonio Missions 9-2 on Tuesday night from Nelson Wolff Stadium. Box Score In the top of the third, Aaron Zavala ripped a lead-off double and Luis Mieses plated him while reaching on an
Frisco launches RoughRiders Scholarship Program presented by InTouch
FRISCO, Texas (May 6, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders and InTouch Credit Union are thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the RoughRiders Scholarship Program presented by InTouch Credit Union for the class of 2025. "We’re incredibly grateful to collaborate with InTouch Credit Union on such a meaningful
Riders host Twins-affiliated Wind Surge for third homestand of the season
FRISCO, Texas (April 25, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders are ecstatic to announce a loaded week of promotions for their third homestand of the season against the Wichita Wind Surge (Twins affiliate) on Tuesday, April 29th through Sunday, May 4th from Riders Field! Buy Tickets Here Check out the ticket
Riders salvage series, outmuscle Wind Surge 6-1
FRISCO, Texas (May 4, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders defeated the Wichita Wind Surge 6-1 on Sunday evening from Riders Field, salvaging a series split. Box Score In the bottom of the first, Keyber Rodriguez poked an RBI single to give the Riders (17-10) a 1-0 lead. Rodriguez then cranked
Early offense powers Frisco win over Wichita
FRISCO, Texas (May 3, 2025) - The Frisco RoughRiders scored four runs in the first three innings to help anchor a 5-2 victory over the Wichita Wind Surge on Saturday night from Riders Field. Box Score The Riders jumped in front when Aaron Zavala launched a lead-off home run in
Former RoughRider Crim makes MLB debut
FRISCO, Texas (May 3, 2025) – Former RoughRiders first baseman Blaine Crim made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers on Friday, May 2nd in their game against the Seattle Mariners. Crim is the sixth player whose name will be featured on the Road to the Show Wall presented by
Ortiz's homer fuels thrilling 3-2 win over Wind Surge
FRISCO, Texas (May 2, 2025) - The Frisco RoughRiders prevailed 3-2 over the Wichita Wind Surge on Friday night from Riders Field in front of a season-high 8,042 fans. Box Score Frisco's lone extra-base hit proved to be the difference. In the bottom of the third, Abimelec Ortiz smashed a
Former RoughRider Owens makes MLB debut
FRISCO, Texas (May 2, 2025) – Former RoughRiders pitcher Tyler Owens made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers on May 1st in their game against the Los Angeles Angels. Owens is the fifth player whose name will be featured on the Road to the Show Wall presented by Avondale
Riders outslugged by Wind Surge in 5-2 loss
FRISCO, Texas (May 1, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders fell to the Wichita Wind Surge 5-2 on Thursday night from Riders Field. Box Score Wichita (15-9) clipped five runs off four homers in the first two innings. Tanner Schobel led off the game with a homer to put the Wind
Drake strikes out nine, RoughRiders defeated by Wind Surge
FRISCO, Texas (April 30, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders were shut out by the Wichita Wind Surge 7-0 on Wednesday night from Riders Field. Box Score RoughRiders (14-9) starter Kohl Drake (0-2) took the loss, allowing two runs but punching out nine batters. The Sachse, Texas native has amassed 25
Osuna plates two, RoughRiders fall in series opener versus Wichita
FRISCO, Texas (April 29, 2025) -- Alejandro Osuna hit a solo home run and an RBI triple, but the Frisco RoughRiders dropped their series opener versus the Wichita Wind Surge 5-4 on Tuesday afternoon from Riders Field. Box Score In the top of the fourth, Wichita (13-9) struck first when
Supak, Riders outlast Hooks, seal fourth-straight series win
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (April 27, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders topped the Corpus Christi Hooks 4-1 on Sunday evening from Whataburger Field, earning their fourth-straight series win to start the year. Box Score Frisco starter Trey Supak (3-0) struck out a season-high eight in 5.1 innings, allowing just one run
Former RoughRider Wolfram makes MLB debut
FRISCO, Texas (April 27, 2025) – Former RoughRiders LHP Grant Wolfram made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, April 26th in their game against the Detroit Tigers. Wolfram is the fourth player whose name will be featured on the Road to the Show Wall presented by Avondale
RoughRiders clipped by Hooks 5-1
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (April 26, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders were bested by the Corpus Christi Hooks 5-1 on Saturday afternoon from Whataburger Field. Box Score Riders (13-7) starter Mitch Bratt (0-1) picked up the loss but earned his second quality start, allowing two runs while tying a career-high with
Frisco rally falls short in 6-4 loss to Hooks
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (April 25, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders loaded the bases in the top of the ninth but fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks 6-4 on Friday night from Whataburger Field, ending a four-game winning streak. Box Score In the top of the ninth, Luis Mieses scored on
RoughRiders welcome loaded May promotional schedule
FRISCO, Texas (April 24, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders are thrilled to announce an exciting May promotional schedule. Come out to Riders Field for the busiest home month of the season with 16 home games in 31 days! Buy tickets here Check out the ticket specials here May begins with
Stephan, Walcott's big nights fuel fourth-straight RoughRiders win
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (April 24, 2025) - Sebastian Walcott homered while Josh Stephan earned a quality start to guide the Frisco RoughRiders to a 4-0 victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks on Thursday night from Whataburger Field. The Riders extended their winning streak to four games with the victory. Box
RoughRiders, Xochitl sign tortilla chip deal
FRISCO, Texas (April 18, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have announced a partnership deal with Xochitl. As part of the partnership, Xochitl is now the Official Tortilla Chip of the Frisco RoughRiders and will be served everywhere tortilla chips are sold at Riders Field!
Former RoughRider Kent makes MLB debut
FRISCO, Texas (April 24, 2025) – Former RoughRiders RHP Zak Kent made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 23rd in their game against the New York Yankees. Kent is the third player whose name will be featured on the Road to the Show Wall presented by
Drake Dominates, Riders best Hooks 6-2
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (April 23, 2025) - Kohl Drake tied a career high with 10 strikeouts and the Frisco RoughRiders defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks 6-2 on Wednesday night from Whataburger Field. Box Score Drake totaled double-digit strikeouts in just 4.1 innings, yielding one hit and two walks. In the