Braves Prefer To Win Young

The focal point of the Braves’ rebuild: young pitchers (from left) Touki Toussaint, Aaron Blair, Sean Newcomb, Max Fried and Kolby Allard (Photo by Bill Setliff)

ATLANTA—While not every organization ascribes value to winning in the minor leagues, the Braves believe this year’s success could have long-term effects.

Three of Atlanta’s four full-season affiliates earned playoff spots, and Triple-A Gwinnett, Double-A Mississippi and low Class A Rome all advanced to the league finals. Stellar starting pitching served as the centerpiece for all three clubs, which the Braves hope will lead to success at the major league level.

Gwinnett went just 65-78 but claimed the Southern Division crown in the International League. Righthander Tyrell Jenkins limited Charlotte to two runs over 7.2 innings in a winner-take-all finale.

Gwinnett defeated Columbus in the first round of the IL playoffs, then advanced to the league finals, which it lost to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in four games.

Mississippi overcame a seven-game losing streak in late August to earn a wild card in the Southern League playoffs. It battled back from a Game One loss to Pensacola to win the next three games and advance to the SL finals.

Though Jackson swept Mississippi in the finals, the Braves’ pitching staff—led by lefthander Sean Newcomb and righthanders Max Povse, Lucas Sims and Patrick Weigel—recorded a 3.12 ERA.

Rome went just 70-69 overall, but because it put together a 15-2 stretch in August, it claimed the second-half crown in the Southern Division of the South Atlantic League. It proceeded to defeat Charleston and then Lakewood to claim the SAL title.

Righthander Mike Soroka and lefthander Max Fried each allowed one run in 7.2 innings while earning the wins in Games One and Three, respectively. Lefthander Kolby Allard tossed six shutout innings while receiving a no-decision in Game Two.

“What is most exciting is how we are winning—with prospects who are years younger than many of their counterparts,” general manager John Coppolella said.

WIGWAM WISPS

• The pitching staffs for Gwinnett (75), Mississippi (65) and Rome (65) all led their playoff fields in strikeouts.

• Mississippi second baseman Ozzie Albies broke a bone at the tip of his right elbow during an SL playoff game and had surgery. He will be sidelined until January but should be ready to compete for a big league job in spring training.