Damon Berryhill Named Gwinnett Braves Manager for 2017
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Gwinnett Braves, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, have announced the team's field staff for the 2017 season. Former Major League catcher Damon Berryhill has been named the sixth manager in Gwinnett Braves' history, while former Major League pitcher Reid Cornelius has been named the fourth pitching coach in G-Braves' history. John Moses, who managed the club for 81 games in 2016, returns to his original role as Gwinnett's hitting coach. Trainer Ricky Alcantara also returns for his second season with the club.
Berryhill, 52, joins the Atlanta Braves organization after spending seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2009-15). He embarks on his ninth season as a minor league manager in 2017, his third at the Triple-A level and first in the International League. He managed the Dodgers' Triple-A Pacific Coast League affiliate from 2014-15, guiding Albuquerque to a 63-79 record in 2014 and Oklahoma City to a league-best 86-58 mark in 2015. In leading Oklahoma City to a franchise-record 86 wins, the American Northern Division title and a berth in the PCL Playoffs, Berryhill was named the PCL's Manager of the Year for 2015.
Berryhill owns a career managerial record of 418-387 (.519) over eight seasons, leading five teams to the playoffs in that span. His previous experience includes five seasons as the manager for Rookie-level Ogden of the Dodgers organization (2009-13) and one season as the manager for Advanced-A Bakersfield of the Texas Rangers organization (2008). He has also served as a minor league catching coordinator with the Rangers (2005-07) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2003-04) after beginning his coaching career with Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga of the Los Angeles Angels organization in 2002.
Selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1984 January Amateur Draft, Berryhill logged a 10-year Major League career as a catcher with the Cubs (1987-91), Atlanta Braves (1991-93), Boston Red Sox (1994), Cincinnati Reds (1995) and San Francisco Giants (1997). The Laguna Beach, CA native batted .240 with 47 home runs and 257 RBIs in 683 regular-season games, and also appeared in 20 postseason games for the Braves (1992, 1993) and Giants (1997). His biggest career highlight came with Atlanta in Game 1 of the 1992 World Series, when his three-run homer off Jack Morris led the Braves to a 3-1 win over Toronto.
Cornelius, 46, joins the Atlanta Braves organization after spending 14 seasons with the Florida/Miami Marlins, including the last seven seasons as the Major League bullpen coach (2010-16). He also spent time in the Marlins' minor league system, serving as the pitching coach for Double-A Carolina (2003), Class-A Jupiter (2004-08) and Double-A Jacksonville (2009). Selected by the Montreal Expos in the 11th round of the 1988 June Amateur Draft, Cornelius went 8-17 with a 4.91 ERA in 45 games (33 starts) over three seasons with the Expos (1995), New York Mets (1995) and Marlins (1999-2000). The Thomasville, AL native also pitched parts of four seasons in the International League with Ottawa (1994-95), Norfolk (1995) and Charlotte (1997-98), going 32-16 with a 4.03 ERA and four complete games in 69 games (67 starts).
Moses, 59, returns for his third season with the Gwinnett Braves, his fifth season with the Atlanta Braves organization. He spent all of 2015 and the first two months of 2016 as the Gwinnett hitting coach before being named the fifth full-time manager in G-Braves' history on June 14. Including a two-game stint as interim manager from May 17-18, Moses went 36-45 (.444) in 81 games on the first managerial assignment of his career. Under his guidance, Gwinnett claimed its first IL South Division title, second berth in the Governors' Cup Playoffs (first since 2009) and first trip to the Governors' Cup Championship Series.
Moses' minor league coaching career includes stints as the hitting coach with Triple-A Las Vegas (2008) and Triple-A Albuquerque (2009-10) of the Dodgers organization, Double-A Corpus Christi (2011) of the Houston Astros organization, and Advanced-A Lynchburg (2013-14) and Double-A Mississippi (2014) of the Braves organization. He has also held Major League positions as the bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds (2005) and first base coach for the Reds (2006) and Seattle Mariners (2000-03, 2007).
Selected by Seattle in the 16th round of the 1980 June Amateur Draft, Moses played an 11-year Major League career as an outfielder for the Mariners (1982-87, 92), Minnesota Twins (1988-90) and Detroit Tigers (1991). The Los Angeles, CA native batted .254 with 11 home runs, 145 RBIs and 101 stolen bases in 162 total games.
Alcantara, 42, enters his second season with Gwinnett following stints as the trainer for the Gulf Coast League Braves (2003-04), Advanced-A Myrtle Beach (2006-07) and Double-A Mississippi (2008-15).
Atlanta's minor league field staff announcement also includes two former Gwinnett players taking top posts for the first time. Barrett Kleinknecht, a G-Braves' infielder in 2015, has been named the manager of the Gulf Coast League Braves. Kanekoa Texeira, a member of the G-Braves' pitching staff from 2014-16, has been named the pitching coach for Rookie-level Danville.
The Gwinnett Braves open the 2017 season at Coolray Field on Thursday, April 6 with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Durham Bulls. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now by calling the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340.
Gwinnett Stripers’ Nathan Wiles Named International League Pitcher of the Week
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Minor League Baseball today named Gwinnett Stripers right-hander Nathan Wiles the International League Pitcher of the Week for May 26-June 1. The 26-year-old Wiles made one start during the week, on May 29 vs. Jacksonville. In his team-leading fourth quality start of the year, he pitched 6.0
Gwinnett Bullpen Dominates in 4-1 Finale Win Over Jacksonville
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (23-34) secured their second straight victory to end the week with a 4-1 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (34-23) on Sunday afternoon at Coolray Field. Six Stripers pitchers combined to allow just one run on three hits in the series finale. Decisive Plays:
Brave New World for Wiles
With teams beginning to finalize rosters towards the conclusion of Spring Training, the Atlanta Braves acquired an arm that would become one of pleasant surprises in the Gwinnett rotation to begin the season. Nathan Wiles was originally set to open the year as a reliever, entering his seventh year as
Knocking On the Door: Former Three-Sport Star Luke Waddell Inching Closer to MLB Debut
From a young age, Luke Waddell has always centered his life around sports, excelling at anything that involves a ball. That’s brought the now 26-year-old Gwinnett Stripers shortstop on the doorstep of the Major Leagues, the ultimate goal for any professional baseball player. However, that wasn’t a goal he locked
Batten Homers, Daniel Goes Seven Strong in Stripers’ 3-1 Win
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Matthew Batten’s two-run home run in the second inning backed 7.0 one-run frames from Davis Daniel as the Gwinnett Stripers (22-34) found their winning ways with a 3-1 victory over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (34-22) on Saturday night at Coolray Field. The win snapped Gwinnett’s eight-game losing
McCann’s Monster Night Not Enough in 4-3 Loss to Jacksonville
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (21-34) saw their losing streak extend to eight games in a 4-3 loss against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (34-21) on Friday night at Coolray Field. James McCann homered, doubled, and drove in two runs, but it wasn’t enough for Gwinnett to overcome a 4-1
Jacksonville Slips Past Stripers 3-1
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (21-33) held a 1-0 lead for most of the night but it wasn’t enough to stop the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (33-21) in a 3-1 defeat on Thursday night at Coolray Field. The loss marked seven straight for the Stripers. Decisive Plays: Following two straight
Gwinnett Blanked in Doubleheader Sweep by Jacksonville
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (21-32) were held scoreless through 14 innings of baseball on Wednesday night at Coolray Field, losing 8-0 and 1-0 in a doubleheader against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (32-21). Gwinnett combined for three hits across both games. Decisive Plays (GM1): Jacksonville took advantage of three
Homestand Highlights: Stripers Celebrate Margaritaville Night at Coolray Field
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers will party island style with Margaritaville Night on Friday, May 30, just one of many exciting things fans can look forward to during a six-game series vs. the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A, Miami Marlins) from May 27 to June 1. The homestand begins with
Stripers, Jacksonville Postponed Tuesday at Coolray Field
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Tonight’s 7:05 p.m. game between the Gwinnett Stripers and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at Coolray Field has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader at Coolray Field on Wednesday, May 28. The first of two seven-inning games begins
Stripers Allow Five Unanswered Runs in 6-4 Defeat to Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Gwinnett Stripers (21-30) failed to add on after a four-run first inning in a 6-4 loss to the Louisville Bats (24-26) on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. Gwinnett took just one game over Louisville in the six-game series. Decisive Plays: Gwinnett pounced on Louisville starter
Stripers Held to Three Hits in 6-0 Loss to Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Aaron Wilkerson and three Louisville relievers combined to three-hit the Gwinnett Stripers (21-29) on Saturday night as the Bats (23-26) won 6-0 at Louisville Slugger Field. Gwinnett trails the series 4-1 headed into the finale tomorrow. Decisive Plays: Louisville scored the decisive run of the game three
Stripers Keep it Close in Ninth, Lose 4-3 to Bats
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Gwinnett Stripers (21-28) put the winning run on base in the ninth inning but couldn’t close the gap in a 4-3 loss to the Louisville Bats (22-26) on Friday night at Louisville Slugger Field. The Stripers trail the series 3-1. Decisive Plays: A two-run home run
Bunnell’s Solo Homer is Stripers’ Lone Hit in 5-1 Loss at Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Cade Bunnell powered the Gwinnett Stripers (21-27) to a 1-0 lead in the second inning with his first career Triple-A home run, but it was the club’s only hit in a stifling 5-1 loss to the Louisville Bats (21-26) on a chilly Thursday night at Louisville Slugger
Kelenic’s Ninth-Inning Clout Lifts Stripers to 7-4 Win in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After seeing an early 4-0 lead slip away on Wednesday afternoon, the Gwinnett Stripers (21-26) claimed a last-at-bat victory as Jarred Kelenic’s three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning was the difference in a 7-4 win over the Louisville Bats (20-26) at Louisville Slugger
Atlanta Braves Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to Rehab with Stripers
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, have announced today that outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. will join the Stripers on his rehab assignment on May 15. Acuña, on Atlanta’s 10-day injured list as he recovers from 2024 surgery to repair a torn left ACL, is
Louisville Hands Stripers 4-0 Loss in Rain-Shortened Opener
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats (20-25) raced out to a four-run lead and let Mother Nature play the role of closer on Tuesday night at Louisville Slugger Field, sending the Gwinnett Stripers (20-26) to a 4-0 loss in a rain-shortened five-inning contest. Ronald Acuña Jr. continued his rehab assignment
Five-Run Fourth Inning Propels Gwinnett to 6-0 Victory
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (20-25) scored five runs in the fourth inning to back a combined seven-hit shutout in a 6-0 win over the Charlotte Knights (22-23) on Sunday afternoon at Coolray Field. It was the Stripers’ second shutout win of the season, securing a split of the
Acuña Jr. Homers and Walks Four Times as Gwinnett Falls 5-3 to Charlotte
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Ronald Acuña Jr. homered and drew four walks in his third rehab appearance with Gwinnett, but the Stripers (19-25) fell short in the late stages of a 5-3 loss to the Charlotte Knights (22-22) on Saturday night at Coolray Field. Gwinnett trails the series 3-2. Decisive Plays:
Stripers Overcome Six-Run Deficit to Beat Charlotte 7-6
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (19-24) put together a four-run fifth inning and a three-run sixth to shock the Charlotte Knights (21-22) in a 7-6 come-from-behind victory on Friday night at Coolray Field. Jarred Kelenic went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, scored the go-ahead run on a single by Carlos
Homestand Highlights: Stripers Welcome Braves Country Road Trip to Coolray Field
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers will welcome the Atlanta Braves on their next stop of Braves Country Road Trip on Saturday, May 17. It’s one of many thrilling promotions on the way for the six-game series vs. the Charlotte Knights (Triple-A, Chicago White Sox) from May 13-18. The fourth
Acuña's Two Hits Not Enough in Stripers’ 7-1 Loss to Charlotte
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (18-24) were held silent after the first inning in a 7-1 loss to the Charlotte Knights (21-21) on Thursday night at Coolray Field. Rehabbing Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. went 2-for-3 with a double in his first game with Gwinnett since 2022. Decisive
McCann’s Five RBIs, Waldrep’s Quality Start Highlight 7-4 Gwinnett Win
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (18-23) rode a dominant night at the plate from catcher James McCann and an equally strong pitching performance from Hurston Waldrep to a 7-4 win over the Charlotte Knights (20-21) on Wednesday night at Coolray Field. McCann drove in five runs and Waldrep tossed
Charlotte Pulls Away Late to Defeat Gwinnett 8-5
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (17-23) failed to mount a comeback against the Charlotte Knights (20-20) in a 8-5 loss on Tuesday afternoon at Coolray Field. The win makes Charlotte 4-0 against Gwinnett this season following a three-game sweep on opening weekend. Decisive Plays: Charlotte jumped in front with
Leonard’s Two Homers Lift Stripers to 4-1 Victory in Delayed Durham Finale
DURHAM, N.C. – After a nearly four-hour rain delay pushed the start time from 1:05 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eddys Leonard homered twice and Ian Anderson spun 5.0 no-hit innings to lead the Gwinnett Stripers (17-22) to a 4-1 win over the Durham Bulls (24-15) on Sunday evening at Durham