Atlanta Braves: Down On The Farm

AA Mississippi Braves (8-13)

• Robby Hefflinger – .130/.254/.222/.476, 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 9BB/22K
• Kyle Kubitza – .193/.266/.333/.599, 4 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 3/4 SB, 6BB/22K
• Matt Lipka – .195/.235/.247/.481, 4 2B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 8/9 SB, 3BB/11K
• Elmer Reyes – .406/.441/.625/1.066, 5 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 1BB/3K

Not too many positives on the Mississippi roster to this point. One bright spot has been shortstop Elmer Reyes, who has only played in about half the games, but is still hitting over .400 and has 6 XBH in only 32 at bats.  I am surprised at the struggles of Kubitza and Lipka.  Lipka impressed many in spring training this year and I thought he was poised for a big season.  He is still stealing bases when he is getting on, which unfortunately hasn’t been often enough.  I am not surprised however about the struggles of Robby Hefflinger.  He has struck out 22 times in his 54 at bats and is only hitting .130 with no power.  Heff is supposed to be one of the biggest power bats in the Braves minor league system.

• John Cornely – 9 G, 1.72 ERA, 15.2 IP, 8BB/17K 1.085 WHIP
• JR Graham – 4 G, 4 GS, 1.17 ERA, 15.1 IP, 5BB/6K, 1.043 WHIP
• Jason Hursh – 4 G, 4 GS, 2.95 ERA, 18.1 IP, 8BB.10K, 1.473 WHIP
• Aaron Northcraft – 2 G, 2 GS, 7.04 ERA, 7.2 IP, 5BB/8K, 1.696 WHIP
• Shae Simmons – 9 G, 0.00 ERA, 11.1 IP, 2 BB/18K, 0.706 WHIP, 5 SV

Shae Simmons has been nothing short of dominant so far.  He was really good in the Arizona Fall League this off-season and has continued it into this season.  He hasn’t allowed an earned run, isn’t walking guys and is striking out more than 1.5 hitters per inning.  Cornely has also been very good out of the pen.  JR Graham and Jason Hursh have been very good as starters, although I would like to see more strikeouts out of Graham.  Northcraft has continued to struggle. He wasn’t very good out in the AFL and unfortunately has carried that over to the 2014 season.