Gilmartin strong in Class A debut

As if the Braves don't have enough pitching prospects already, now Sean Gilmartin, is building up steam and on his way.

Atlanta's first-round draftee in June allowed two hits and fanned four over 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his Class A debut and second pro outing Thursday en route to Rome's 4-2 victory over visiting Asheville.

Gilmartin struck out three of the first four batters he faced. He allowed second-inning singles to Cristhian Adames and Mark Tracy and issued a base on balls in the third to Brett Tanos.

"I went out there with the intention of getting ahead of guys early," said Gilmartin, who used his fastball primarily and put away hitters with his slider and change-up. "I threw every single pitch three or four times."

Gilmartin said he threw 45 to 48 total pitches and hopes to complete four to five innings in his next outing. Atlanta's powers-that-be have not given him an explicit plan going forward, he said.

Gilmartin completed 120 1/3 innings over 18 appearances as a junior at Florida State, compiling a 12-2 record and a 2.09 ERA. The Moorpark, Calif. native received a $1.13 million bonus commensurate with his Draft slot when he signed July 15, according the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The 21-year-old lefty gave up two runs on three hits in his pro debut, pitching against the Yankees in the Gulf Coast League on Saturday.

What has he seen from pro batters so far?

"These guys aren't going to chase pitches," he said. "The way they approach each at-bat is better than at the college level."

Tyler Matzek (2-4) allowed three runs on six hits over six innings. Matzek, MLB.com's No. 48 prospect, struck out five and walked three.

Ronan Pacheco (4-6) allowed two runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings of relief for the victory. Matt Chaffee struck out four over two scoreless innings to earn his second save.