Saturday has six games on the schedule, most notably the start of the year for the FCL Braves.
Saturday brings a slate filled with games as there is a doubleheader going on, plus the big story of the day in the season opener for the FCL Braves. The FCL team includes two of the top prospects in the entire system in Cam Caminiti and Jose Perdomo, which makes them a team that needs to be followed closely.
Gwinnett Stripers vs Nashville Sounds – 6:05 PM
Probable starters
GWN: TBD
NAS: Jacob Misiorowski — 1-0, 1.82 ERA
After losing another strong start from Nathan Wiles, who struck out 11 over six innings on Friday, Gwinnett tries to get back on track against one of the top pitching prospects in the Brewers system in Jacob Misiorowski on Saturday.
Jarred Kelenic is always the guy to watch now that he has been sent down, though after an 0-4 game with three strikeouts on Friday, he has an OPS of just .618 early on in his minor league stint. Carlos Rodriguez is another guy to watch, especially coming off a three-hit Friday game to raise his Triple-A average up to .315.
Columbus Clingstones vs Biloxi Shuckers – 6:05 PM
Probable starters
COL: TBD
BIL: Tate Kuehner — 1-4, 3.57 ERA
Despite scoring four runs in a loss on Friday, the Columbus lineup was only able to scratch together two base hits on the evening with David McCabe not in the lineup. Cal Conley and Drew Compton each doubled, to account for all of the Clingstones hits.
After a monster day on Thursday, Ethan Workinger got on base two more times on Friday, drawing a pair of walks in the loss and scoring one of the team’s runs.
Rome Emperors vs Hub City SpartanBurgers – 5:00 PM – Game 1
Probable starters – None
Game in progress Top 5th, 4-1 Hub City, bases loaded, 2 outs
This game was suspended in the Top of the 5th. After being a 2-1 game entering the fifth, Hub City added a pair of runs and is threatening to break this game wide open with the bases loaded and two outs to open the game.
It is worth noting that Patrick Clohisy is sitting at two for two with a double already, while EJ Exposito and Harry Owen also have recorded doubles.
Rome Emperors vs Hub City SpartanBurgers – 7:00 PM – Game 2
Probable starters
ROM: Riley Frey — 0-0, 5.00 ERA
HUB: DJ McCarty — 0-1, 9.69 ERA
Rome get another chance on Saturday as Riley Frey takes the mound for his third appearance with the Emperors. DJ McCarty is the opposing pitcher, and through four outings he has given up more runs than innings pitched with at least three runs allowed in every appearance on the year.
Augusta GreenJackets at Kannapolis Cannonballers – 7:00 PM
Probable starters
AUG: Rayven Antonio — 1-0, 3.18 ERA
KAN: Luis Reyes — 1-2, 6.60 ERA
The theme continues for Braves affiliates, as they try to bounce back from tough offensive days on Friday. Augusta had one run on five hits, though Douglas Glod did draw three walks and the bottom third of the order was quite productive in combining for four hits and the lone extra base knock. That trio of Carlos Monteverde, Mason Guerra, and Luis Sanchez is a bit overshadowed by the talented top of the lineup for the GreenJackets, but they can hope to put together another solid game.
The Jackets will turn to Rayven Antonio, who has seen his strikeouts per nine rise from 5.98 to 8.74 through his first 11.1 innings, while keeping the ball on the ground at a similar high rate to what we witnessed last season.
FCL Braves vs FCL Rays- 10:00 AM
Probable starters
FCLB: TBD
FCLR: TBD
The big story on the day is the season opener for the FCL Braves. This team is going to be a fun one to follow, though with no MILB.tv streams or radio broadcasts like usual in the FCL.
The pitching staff includes last year’s top draft choice, Cam Caminiti, who likely would have opened the year in Augusta if not for the team opting for caution with some soreness, Cayman Goode, the 12th round pick out of a Virginia high school last year, is also on the team and awaiting his professional debut.
Jose Perdomo, the top international signee from January 2024, is also on the team. The young shortstop had an injury plagued year that limited him to just 20 games and a .568 OPS in the DSL last year and hopes to start progressing this year. Another young infielder to watch is 17-year-old Juan Mateo, who had a .345 OBP in 44 games in the DSL last year.
In the outfield John Estevez is back, and the 18-year-old, posted a .680 OPS here in 52 games last year. Junior Garcia is also back after posting a .848 OPS – though just a .506 OPS in his time with Augusta last season. A pair of outfielders with some college experience on the roster are Kade Kern, who spent last year between two A-ball affiliates, and Dalton McIntyre, who was the 19th round pick from Southern Miss last year.