It was a busy opening day of the week for the Atlanta Braves affiliates, with a number of prospects making returns from injury. Drue Hackenberg, Luke Sinnard, and Ethan Bagwell each returned to their respective squads to make their first start in months, but the biggest news came from the FCL Braves. There, 2022 first round pick Owen murphy made his first appearance of the season in his return from tommy John surgery.
(40-57) Gwinnett Stripers 4, (49-46) Memphis Redbirds 3
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- Jarred Kelenic, CF: 1-5, 3B, .218/.294/.326
- Carlos Rodriguez, RF: 1-3, HR, BB, RBI, .279/.354/.351
- Didier Fuentes, SP: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 6.35 ERA
- Jhancarlos Lara, RP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 6.52 ERA
Didier Fuentes had a rough start to his outing but was able to put it together in the final two innings to salvage a bit of good energy for the first time in a few starts. Fuentes got tagged in the first inning for a home run by Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt, then in the second allowed three hits, two on hard hit balls, scoring two runs to put the stripers in an early hole. Fuentes would thankfully settle in after this and started missing bats, notching three strikeouts over the final 2 2⁄3 innings, before a tapped single on the infield ended his day before he could complete five innings. Fuentes threw plenty of strikes in this game but his fastball locations was poor and too often drifted down belt high where hitters were able to hit him hard. He also operated without much feel for either of his breaking balls, landing very few of either his sweeper or curveball in great spots, though even with the poor location he combined for five whiffs on ten swings at those two pitches. Fuentes has been struggling with his command and while it doesn’t always show up with walks he is going to have to get back to landing his sweeper better on his glove side and elevating his fastball, as he has left himself open to getting hit hard since first getting called to triple-A
It was a positive outing for Jhancarlos Lara, who pitched a breezy eighth inning and struck out one batter to get the hold. While he did have a hiccup earlier in July when he was having trouble with his release point he has had a strong run of repeating his mechanics and has been arguably Gwinnett’s most effective reliever for over a month now. While his command instability does make him a bit too risky to put in real leverage spots at the major league level now, he seems to be at the point where (especially given his upcoming Rule 5 eligibility) it might be time to get him middle relief innings at the major league level and get him a chance to work with that staff. Lara and Wes McGuire have done a terrific job of getting his release point much more consistent and he seems ready for the major league challenge, though given the unlikelihood of Atlanta competing this season they don’t seem as keen on plugging in Rule 5 eligible guys this season as they typically have been.
Swing and Misses
Drue Hackenberg – 8
Elison Joseph – 6
(38-50) Rome Emperors 3, (53-35) Hudson Valley Renegades 4
Will Verdung, 3B: 3-4, RBI, .281/.375/.331
Ambioris Tavarez, 2B: 1-4,.236/.341/.318
Luke Sinnard, SP: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 4.50 ERA
Adam Maier,RP: 4 IP,7 H,2 R,2 ER,2 BB,4 K,5.29 ERA
For any Clingstone on the game came from Elison Joseph in the ninth inning as he dominated in his lone inning of relief. Joseph threw 14 pitches and Chattanooga made contact with none of them. He struck out all three batters swinging and had whiffs on all six swings, five on sliders and one on a fastball. Joseph’s walk rates this season have been atrocious and have prevented him from making the next step and advancing to Gwinnett, yet he is still getting swing-and-miss well over 35% of the time, in line with his numbers from lower levels. Half of his walks came in a confoundingly bad month of June,where otherwise he has struck out 32% of batters faced while walking a still-poor 18%.
It was a Tuesday dominated by players returning from injury,and if there is one most likely to be of impact in the next couple of years for Atlanta it would be Luke Sinnard. Sinnard had an impressive 10 whiffs on 27 swings this game (37%) and the Hudson Valley lineup posed little challenge for him. Sinnard’s outing stood out for how sharp his fastball command was despite missing a month and a half, as he really had success right from the first pitch at elevating the pitch to the top edge of the strike zone. It took a bit more time for him to dial in the location on his curveball and cutter, but once he started landing them in the third inning he excelled and Renegades hitters had no real answer to him. Still he mostly had success and cruised with his fastball until a questionable call at first base where the umpire judged Sinnard didn’t touch the base put a runner on and may have thrown Sinnard off of his game a bit. He threw the next three pitches out of the zone, then allowed the only really hard hit ball of the game on a line drive double to score the runner. On the play both he and Lizandro Espinoza made throwing errors, allowing the runner to get a little league inside-the-park home run and ending Sinnard’s day on a sour note.
Adam Maier came in out of the bullpen and looked fairly good for Rome, though there were a couple of times where his control faded he located his sinker solidly throughout the game and only gave up one hard hit ball in the air. It was his breaking balls that actually gave him the most trouble as he wasn’t able to bury them in key counts and Renegades hitters got some line drive singles off of hangers. This led to Maier letting up two runs in the game and seven hits though it’s rare to see his breaking balls be the biggest problem for him. The sinker location was a positive takeaway from this game, he just really needs to have a couple of games where he actually puts it all together as he hasn’t done so this season.The offense wasn’t able to get anything going until the eighth inning, when finaly
FCL Pirates 1, FCL Braves 0
key performers included Jose Perdomo (SS: 0-4, .218/.271/.265), Michael Martinez (LF: 1-2, 2B, BB, .229/.289/.486), and Junior Garcia (CF: 1-3, 2B, .206/.287/.340).Owen Murphy‘s first rehab start was a dominant display. The pitcher efficiently retired all nine batters he faced, striking out five, and immediately made an impact. Reports indicate his fastball velocity is returning to pre-surgery levels, reaching 90-94 mph, a promising sign for his recovery. If he continues to regain velocity, it could significantly enhance his pitching profile. With his current trajectory, Murphy is expected to pitch in full-season ball later this year, potentially accelerating his career progression into 2026. Jose Perdomo experienced a rare off-game, striking out twice and failing to record a hit, ending a recent streak of success. Conversely, Michael Martinez continued his consistent performance, adding another double to his stats and earning his first walk at this level.
DSL Braves 3,DSL CLE Goryl 8
Notable players from this game were Angel Carmona (DH: 1-5, HR, 2 RBI,.250/.333/.625), Elisandro Ramirez (RF: 2-4, 2B, .283/.441/.363487), and Gensi Angeles (SP: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2.45 ERA).
Gensi Angeles is quickly establishing himself as a promising pitcher, showcasing impressive command in his second consecutive start. His ability to control the ball proved challenging for opposing hitters. Combining a fastball in the low 90s with a slider,Angeles possesses the tools to become a notable prospect in the FCL next year. The game wasn’t without it’s challenges, as Edwardys Hildalgo struggled, conceding six runs and allowing Cleveland to take control. Angel Carmona, a recent signee, made an immediate impact with his first professional home run in just his second game.
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Braves Minor League Recap: Owen Murphy’s Florida Rehab Start Ignites Hope
The Buzz Around Owen Murphy’s Return
The Atlanta Braves farm system is always a hotbed of activity, and lately, all eyes have been on the mound of young pitcher Owen Murphy. Following a period of recovery, Murphy made a crucial rehab start in florida, a step that has the entire fanbase buzzing with anticipation.For those following the Atlanta Braves closely, this advancement signals a potential boost to the team’s pitching depth and a testament to the player’s resilience. The journey back from injury is never easy for any athlete,especially for a top prospect in a highly competitive baseball habitat. Murphy’s recent outing provided a valuable glimpse into his progress and the hard work behind his comeback.
Key Highlights of Murphy’s Florida Rehab Start
Murphy’s rehab assignment, strategically placed in the Florida sunshine, allowed him to face live competition and begin rebuilding his arm strength and competitive rhythm. While the specifics of his conditioning and performance are closely guarded by the Braves association, reports indicate a positive outing. Prospects like Murphy are vital to the long-term success of the Atlanta Braves, and his ability to return to form could significantly impact the team’s pitching rotation in the near future. Every start,especially a rehab start,is a building block,and watching these young talents develop and overcome adversity is one of the most rewarding aspects of following minor league baseball.
Pitching Performance Breakdown
While exact pitch counts and specific metrics from rehab starts are often not released publicly in detail, the general sentiment surrounding Murphy’s performance has been encouraging. Sources close to the team have suggested that his fastball velocity was showing signs of returning to its previous levels, a critical indicator for any pitcher making their way back. Beyond velocity, the effectiveness of his secondary pitches – his curveball and changeup – is equally crucial. The ability to command these pitches and induce weak contact or swings and misses against minor league hitters is what scouts and coaches will be looking at closely. For a young pitcher, developing these offerings alongside his fastball is key to his long-term success at higher levels.
| Metric | Observation |
|---|---|
| Fastball Velocity | Showing positive signs of recovery |
| Secondary Pitch Command | Improving control and effectiveness |
| Innings Pitched | Controlled workload for rehab start |
| Overall feel | Encouraging progress reported |
Understanding the Rehab Process
The rehab process for a pitcher is a meticulous and phased approach. It’s not simply about throwing; it involves a comprehensive plan designed to gradually increase physical exertion and intensity. This typically starts with light tossing, progresses to bullpen sessions with increasing difficulty, and then moves to simulated games or rehab starts against live hitters. Each phase is monitored closely by athletic trainers and pitching coaches to ensure the player is not overexerting themselves and to catch any potential setbacks early. The goal is to return the player to game-ready condition without risking re-