A second round pick last year, Cade Kuehler was part of a combined shutout on Sunday, while 2022 second rounder Blake Burkhalter made his first full season start in almost two years.
Sunday was a tough day for the Braves system as they lost three of four games and struggled to get much offense going in a couple of those. The good news is the fact that the Braves second round picks from the past two drafts had notable days. Last year’s pick, Cade Kuehler was a part of a combined shutout in Augusta, while 2022 selection Blake Burkhalter made his Rome debut as he continues his comeback from surgery.
Durham Bulls 11, Gwinnett Stripers 2
- Luke Williams, 2B: 2-4, 2 2B, RBI, R, .272/.323/.491
- Dylan Dodd, SP: 2.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 4 K, 5.01 ERA
- Zach Logue, RP: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 3.56 ERA
Durham jumped out to an early lead, scoring multiple runs in each of the first three innings, and never looked back. Dylan Dodd was battling his command a bit in this start, and ended up allowing six runs while recording seven outs. Zach Logue was next and although he allowed three runs over his two and two thirds innings, he did strike out five hitters as well. Jackson Stephens pitched a pair of scoreless innings next before giving way to Ken Giles in the eighth. Giles was only able to record one out as he allowed a pair of runs, and needed Ben Bowden to pick up the final two outs of the game for the pitching staff.
The lineup struggled to score runs, but they did pick up 11 hits to go with four walks. Luke Williams was the star of this game, going two for four with both of his hits going for doubles as he scored a run and batted one in as well. Outside of the Williams doubles the only other extra-base hit in this one came in the form of a Chadwick Tromp double. Phillip Evans and Sandy Leon each went two for three with a walk to reach base three times apiece as the bottom half of the order really stood out in this one.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos 8, Mississippi Braves 7
- Javier Valdes, 1B: 3-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, .175/.233/.250
- Nacho Alvarez, SS: 1-4, BB, R, .265/.381/.312
- David Fletcher, SP: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 3.97 ERA
The David Fletcher turning into a knuckle balling starter experience took another outing on Sunday. Fletcher pitched a respectable five and a third, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk without any strikeouts. In reality he pitched better than that line would indicate, as he started with five innings where he allowed just a first inning run before tiring and allowing three runs in the sixth, including a pair of homers. Jonathan Hughes followed and allowed a pair of runs in an inning and two thirds before Trey Riley pitched a scoreless inning and so did Anthony Vizcaya – who struck out the side. With the game in extra innings and the Braves scoring a run in the top of the 10th, Rolddy Munoz came in for the save but allowed a pair of runs while picking up two outs to be credited with the loss.
It’s been a slow start to the year for Javier Valdes, but he might have gotten things going in his first game in the month of June. Valdes was three for four with a homer and two runs batted in, one of two homers by the Braves in this one as Brandon Parker hit the other. Nacho Alvarez followed up his three walk game on Saturday with a single and a walk, putting him on base five times over the past two games. Drake Baldwin was one for five with a double and a pair of RBI, and Keshawn Ogans added a double and run batted in for the Braves.
Winston-Salem Dash 5, Rome Emperors 0
- Kevin Kilpatrick, CF: 1-4, 2B, .278/.336/.398
- Sabin Ceballos, 3B: 1-4, RBI, .273/.363/.369
- Blake Burkhalter, SP: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2.70 ERA
After making a pair of rehab starts in the FCL Blake Burkhalter made his Rome debut on Sunday, marking the first time he has pitched in full season ball since late in the season with Augusta in 2022. Burkhalter went three and a third while allowing a run on six hits, no walks, and two strikeouts. It’s hard to judge much with it being his first start in High-A and he had only thrown 2.1 innings heading into today since his Tommy John surgery, but he was throwing strikes. Riley Frey followed and gave up four runs in two and two thirds innings, with all four coming in the final inning of work from him to open up this game for Winston-Salem. Cory Wall was next and threw two scoreless innings, then the Emperors got one more from Samuel Strickland to complete the pitching side of things.
The Rome offense was completely shut down by a 2023 Braves draft pick, Riley Bowens. Gowens, the ninth round pick last year who went to the White Sox as a piece of the Aaron Bummer deal, pitched eight shutout innings while allowing just two base runners. The Emperors were able to get two more in the ninth off a reliever, but that was it – a shutout on three hits and one walk. To account for all of the base runners in this one Kevin Kilpatrick doubled, Sabin Ceballos and EJ Exposito singled, and Carlos Arroyo drew a walk.
Augusta GreenJackets 2, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 0
- Robert Gonzalez, LF: 0-1, 2 BB, 3 SB, .183/.270/.248
- Cade Kuehler, SP: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 2.70 ERA
- Juan Sanchez, RP: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 5.40 ERA
Cade Kuehler’s strong start to the season continued on Sunday as he was part of a combined shutout. Kuehler allowed just two hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings, dropping his ERA to 2.70 through his first nine starts. After making two starts here last year following his signing, the second round pick has a 2.30 ERA for his career, and is looking like a real candidate for promotion in the coming weeks. Kuehler was followed by Juan Sanchez and LJ McDonough, who each pitched a pair of scoreless frames, with Sanchez picking up three strikeouts and McDonough four. Combined the trio struck out 12 as they allowed five hits and six walks.
The Augusta offense might have won the game, but they really struggled to make contact in this one as the team managed just two hits – a triple by Jeremy Celedonio and a single from Will Verdung. However the GreenJackets did manage eight walks, with Harry Owen and Robert Gonzalez each picking up a pair. Gonzalez also stole three bases. Isaiah Drake was hitless in three at bats with a walk in the game that followed his multi-homer Saturday.