Swanson, Barker claim weekly honors
PEARL, MS -- Shortstop Dansby Swanson and RHP Brandon Barker have been named Mississippi Farm Bureau Player and Pitcher of the Week for the week ending Sunday, May 22.
Barker, 23, made one start during the week, tossing six shutout innings and allowing just three hits while walking two and striking out eight against Pensacola on May 18. In nine games, eight starts, for the M-Braves this season, Barker is 3-2 with a 2.00 ERA (eighth-best in the Southern League). He's holding opponents to a .217 batting average. Last season with the Braves, Barker led all farmhands in wins (12) and strikeouts (109) and was named Organizational Pitcher of the Year at High-A Carolina. He was selected by the Braves in the 16th round of the 2014 draft out of Mercer University.