On Saturday, as the Atlanta Braves officially kicked off the Spring Training season, many former and future Stripers players made their first appearances of the 2019 campaign. The Braves began the spring with a 4-3 loss to the New York Mets on Saturday and a 5-2 loss to the Houston
On Saturday, as the Atlanta Braves officially kicked off the Spring Training season, many former and future Stripers players made their first appearances of the 2019 campaign. The Braves began the spring with a 4-3 loss to the New York Mets on Saturday and a 5-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Here's a look at how some former and potential future Gwinnett Stripers fared:
Austin Riley, who hit .282 with 12 home runs and 47 RBIs in 75 games with Gwinnett last season, got the start at third base Saturday, batting fourth. The 21-year-old went 0-for-2 but drew a walk. Highly touted outfield prospect Cristian Pache made his spring debut and finished the day 1-for-2. Catching prospect Alex Jackson had the first hit of the game for the Braves and scored a run (totals: 1 game, 1-for-2, 1 R).
Touki Toussaint started Saturday's game on the mound for the Braves, tossing two innings in a no-decision (totals: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO). Kolby Allard, who earned Gwinnett's 2018 Pitcher of the Year award, picked up the loss after allowing an unearned run over two innings (totals: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO). Relief pitcher Chad Sobotka threw one inning without allowing a baserunner and added a strikeout (totals: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO).
On Sunday, two potential 2019 Stripers factored into the offense for Atlanta. Veteran shortstop Pedro Florimón went 1-for-2 and hit the first home run of the spring for the Braves. His homer came in the fifth inning off Corbin Martin (totals: 1 game, 1-for-2, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R). Outfielder Ryan LaMarre started the game in center field and singled to finish the day 1-for-2.
Corbin Clouse, who posted a 2.25 ERA in seven appearances with the Stripers in 2018, tossed two-thirds of an inning without giving up a run in relief (totals: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO). Pitching prospect Kyle Muller worked a perfect inning while striking out two (totals: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO).
The Braves continue Grapefruit League play today hosting the Washington Nationals at 1:10 p.m. Rotation candidate Max Fried is expected to start for the Braves. Left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin is expected to pitch for the Nationals.
Upcoming games:
Feb. 26: Vs. New York Mets, 1:05 p.m.
Feb. 27: At St. Louis Cardinals, 1:05 p.m.
Feb. 28: Vs. Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.
March 1: Vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m.
