Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap – Jesús Homers, Ritchie struggles

(51-71) Gwinnett Stripers 1, (65-56) Memphis Redbirds 6

•Jesús Bastidas, DH: 2-for-4, HR, RBI, R, .375/.419/.675

•Carlos Rodríguez, RF: 1-for-4, .264/.332/.353

•Luke Waddell, 2B: 2-for-4, .278/.382/.363

•JR Ritchie, SP: 3.1IP 4H 5ER 5BB 3K

Box Score

Frustrating night all around as JR Ritchie struggled to put away hitters, and with his command just a bit in one of the shortest starts of the season for him. JR surrendered five walks, and worked into some deep counts but was unable to end the at bats. Of pretty note, however, is the fact that JR did feature what seemed to be his 4s, a 2s, and a cutter yesterday so it looks like they are trying to work on some things to help him find that true out pitch, but unfortunately it just didn’t work yesterday as he also got in his own way with the walks. It was the opposite for when he was relieved by Brebbia who worked quickly and mowed down hitters. This start was the perfect highlight of the difference between Double-A dominance, and facing more polished Triple-A hitters and something I’m sure JR will keep in the back of his mind this offseason as he works on fixing the issue.

The Stripers offense put together some solid at bats against the Redbirds but were never really able to get things going seen by there 0-7 with runners in scoring position. They did a good job of barreling the Redbirds, posting exit velocities over 100 MPH by multiple players, but only one was able to do damage and it was this Jesús Bastidas homer in the first inning that was all the damage.

(60-56) Pensacola Blue Wahoos 1, (49-65) Columbus Clingstones 6

•Patrick Clohisy, LF: 2-for-4, RBI, 2R, .347/.388/.507

•Adam Żebrowski, C: 1-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, .219/.280/.348

•E.J. Exposito, DH: 2-for-3, 2R, .174/.234/.271

•Drue Hackenberg, SP: 4.2IP 3H 1ER 5BB 7K, 7.16 ERA

Box Score

This game was much closer than the score indicated. Drue Hackenberg had an interesting start as he showed glimpses of just pure nastiness, and as soon as a runner would get on, things would fall apart with his command. The positives, he was much more in control of his delivery and windup which helped lead to him striking out seven. The negatives, wildly inconsistent. Delivery, and release point would seem to disappear and he struggled when runners on base. This game was almost the perfect representation of Drue’s 2025 campaign, as we all know what we can do but he has just been inconsistent throughout each start. He was relieved by Blane Abeyta (2.1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K) who was almost the exact opposite – attacking hitters and filling up the strikezone, and creating weak contact – needing just 19 pitches to get through 2.1 innings of work. Ryan Bourassa (2IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K) made his Double-A debut and looked excellent as he located his fastball into the upper third extremely well and was able to generate six whiffs across his two innings.

Offensively, Patrick Clohisy just continued his extremely strong work since being promoted putting together four high quality at bats, which in turn resulted in a pair of hits, including an RBI single to tie the game in the third. Patrick took second on the throw home, and then stole third before coming home on a wild pitch to put the Clingstones up 2-1, the last time they ever trailed. Patrick has just been doing all things right since being promoted and it’s been extremely encouraging to watch.

The Clingstones would then add four more runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by this Adam Zebrowski three run double.

(50-63) Rome Emperors @ (48-65) Asheville Tourists – POSTPONED/Rain

(55-60) Columbia Fireflies 6, (61-52) Augusta GreenJackets 3

•Eric Hartman, CF: 0-for-4, .259/.361/.396

•John Gil, 3B: 1-for-4, R, .248/.338/.356

•Tate Southisene, SS: 0-for-4, .125/.125/.125

•Owen Carey, DH: 1-for-4, RBI, R, .253/.325/.334

•Hayden Friese, 1B: 1-for-3, 2B, .167/.311/.167

•Kendy Richard, SP: 4.2IP 4H 3ER 2BB 5K, 1.96 ERA

Box Score

The Fireflies hand the GreenJackets their third loss in a row. Starting pitcher Kendy Richard showed an improved slider shape and was solid, before he ran out of steam, it appeared, and his command fell apart later in his appearance. It looked like Kendy toyed with a potential two seamer to build off his four seam fastball, something he will likely need as right now he sits high-80s, to low 90s with his fastball. Drew Christo followed up Kendy and struggled to put away hitters himself, resulting in some deep counts. Samuel Mejia faced one batter to end the inning and then was removed, which is something that doesn’t happen often to him, so it is something to keep an eye on. And lastly, Jhonly Taveras (2.1IP 1H 1ER 1BB 1K) looked stronger himself, featuring his 4S/SL combo.

Offensively, the GreenJackets struggled with contact, striking out an astounding 15 times. They scored three times in the third, but that’s all that they could really muster. RBI single by Owen Carey, and a two run single by Hayden Friese was all the damage that was one. Braves first round drat pick Tate Southisene, getting his first real glimpse of professional baseball, struggled – striking out four times. He looked overpowered at times at the overall polish of minor league pitchers. Just looking at his first at bat, he saw three well thrown sliders to the outside, before being blown away by 93 up and in. Tate’s aggressive promotion to full season ball was a bit of surprise, but it’s clear the Braves like where he is mentally, and think he’s polished enough to make the jump to full season ball.