Stripers in Spring Training Update: March 17

The Atlanta Braves have wrapped up eight more spring training games in addition to the highly anticipated Spring Breakout Game against Detroit.

Atlanta came away with just a pair of wins during the week, but many former and potential Stripers got the chance for additional reps.

Here’s an overview of who’s stood out this past week:

Former Stripers:

C Drake Baldwin (2023-24)

Last Week: 3 games, .444/.545/.556, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SO

This Spring: 12 games, .370/.485/.444, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 2 SO

Baldwin continued his impressive stretch, recording hits in all three games he played in. That included a double on March 10 vs. Tampa Bay and a 2-for-5 day on March 15 at Boston. The multi-hit game was the catchers third of the spring.

INF Luke Waddell (2023-24)

Last Week: 3 games, .200/.429/.200, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SO

This Spring: 4 games, .167/.375/.167, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SO

Not included in Waddell’s week is his recent Spring Breakout performance. In the Braves’ 6-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers on March 16, Waddell was the only Atlanta hitter with a multi-hit game. Waddell finished 2-for-4 in the contest as one of two former Stripers to be on the Braves roster alongside pitcher Ian Mejia.

INF Luke Williams (2023-24)

Last Week: 5 games, .333/.455/.333, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO, 1 SB

This Spring: 14 games, .133/.235/.233, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 8 SO, 3 SB

The infielder is starting to hit his gear in the back half of the spring as he fights for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Williams stuffed the stat sheet with a walk, stolen base and run scored on March 12 at Baltimore. He then came in relief the next day and collected a hit before ending the week with a 2-for-3 day on March 16 at Toronto.

P Grant Holmes (2023-24)

Last Week: 2 games, 0-1, 1.74 ERA, 10.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 8 SO

This Spring: 4 games, 0-1, 1.76 ERA, 15.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 12 SO

In a pair of starts, Holmes lasted at least five innings on both occasions as he looks to lock down a Braves rotation spot. His week started on March 11 vs. Detroit, tossing five shutout innings with just one hit allowed. Holmes then got the ball on March 16 at Toronto as he went 5.1 innings while allowing two earned runs on six hits in a 6-2 loss.

Prospective Stripers:

INF Matthew Batten

Last Week: 4 games, .500/.500/.750, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 SO

This Spring: 9 games, .500/.500/.667, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 SO

The newly signed infielder continued to excel in his late-inning appearances this spring. After going hitless in his first two games of the week, Batten came through with a hit in two straight games. That included a double and an RBI on March 15 at Boston.

INF Cal Conley

Last Week: 3 games, .500/.571/.500, 1 BB, 1 SO, 2 SB

This Spring: 10 games, .529/.556/.647, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO, 2 SB

Having spent his last two full seasons at Double-A Mississippi, Conley is fighting to make a leap to the next level. The infielder is riding a four-game hitting streak with hits in each of his three games last week. Conley also stole his first two bases of the spring after swiping 42 during the 2024 season.