Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Winter League Updates
Jan 23, 2016; Reston, VA, USA; A light pole drips with icicles during winter storm Jonas. Over 20 inches of snow fall was recorded at nearby Dulles International Airport. Mandatory Credit: David Cooper-USA TODAY NETWORK
Two dozen Braves players have been involved in post-season leagues so far and it is time to catch up on how that’s going.
Winter Leagues are used for a variety of purposes: for learning, for challenging, for competition, and sometimes even for fun.
As we will see, though, some of our Atlanta Braves farmhands (mostly!) are having more success with that than others.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
Several Braves are on the Salt River Rafters club, which is 9-7-1 thus far, a half game behind Mesa for first place in the Eastern division, and tied for 3rd overall in the 6-team league.
Love the bat speed from #Braves Travis Demeritte. Looks deceptively taller than 6'0 with an easy swing. #AFL.
— Emily Waldon (@emilywaldon2080) October 28, 2016
He has impressed many with his range and glovework around second base. He also impresses in the batting cage. That occasionally transfers to in-game hitting.
In 13 AFL games, Demeritte is hitting .250 in 56 ABs with 2 doubles, a triple, a homer, 5 walks and 15 K… the latter of which is the number most at issue, helping reduce his OPS to .686. I would like to see him try AA Southern League pitching next season.
Ellis could be getting tired, too: he has thrown 155 innings this season in 3 leagues with 31 starts on the year… personal highs across the board, and the Braves have definitely pushed him a bit this season.
Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee Pedro Martinez (L) and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal (R) hold up the Dominican Republic flat at the end of his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Liga de Beisbol Dominicano
Five Braves have made their way to the Dominican Republic. Four of them play for the Licey Tigers team there. Currently, they are 5-4 and clinging to second place behind the 8-2 Gigantes.
Feb 7, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the flags during the first half of the game between Team USA and Team Canada in the International Bowl at Maverick Stadium. Team USA shuts out Team Canada 35-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Scattered All Around
That’s a wrap on Winter League action thus far… most leagues play through November (at least), so there is still some time to go for these Atlanta Braves’ players.
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