Prospects Promoted to MS

Pearl, MS - The Mississippi Braves announce that the Atlanta Braves made several moves affecting the M-Braves roster on Saturday. LHP Kevin Gunderson was promoted to AAA Gwinnett and OF Jason Heyward, IF Freddie Freeman and LHP Tommy Palica were all promoted to AA Mississippi from High-A Myrtle Beach. IF Kala Ka'aihue was released from the Atlanta Braves organization.

Gunderson had been the M-Braves most consistent reliever all season as he posted a 1-1 record with a 2.93 ERA though 29 games. He recorded two saves in four opportunities. Ka'aihue, the 2008 Southern League Championship Series MVP, was released from the organization after hitting only .157 through 68 games with the M-Braves this year.

Heyward, the second-best prospect in the organization according the Baseball America, hit .296 with 12 doubles, 10 homers, 31 RBI and 34 runs scored through 49 games with the Pelicans. Freeman, the fifth-best prospect on the Braves' farm according the Baseball America, hit .302 with 19 doubles, six homers, 34 RBI and 43 runs scored through 70 games with Myrtle Beach. Palica was 3-1 with six saves while posting a 3.12 ERA in 29 games for Myrtle Beach.

Previous moves that were not released while the team was on the road are as follows: Rudy Darrow was activated from the disabled list and assigned to High-A Myrtle Beach. RHP Steve Marek was promoted to AAA Gwinnett. RHP Deunte Heath was activated from the disabled list and reassigned to AA Mississippi. C Phillip Britton was placed on the disabled list.

Mississippi's roster now has 24 active players with one player on the disabled list.