If you’re late to this series, here are the links to catch up:
- Week 1 Top Performers: Gwinnett Stripers
- Week 1 Top Performers, Mississippi Braves
- Week 1 Top Performers, Rome Braves
The Augusta Greenjackets, the only Braves Minor League affiliate not owned by the Braves, has served as the low-A team these past 2 years. Prior to that, Rome had housed the Low-A team for 18 years, but was promoted to High-A when the Braves lost their previous High-A affiliate, the Florida Fire Frogs. But enough of history, let’s get to the center of this tootsie pop. With a thin system, the Braves Low-A affiliate is chock full of newly drafted players and some late bloomers. Still, there’s a good bit to like here.
Augusta Green Jackets Top Performers
Hitters
- Jeremy Celedonio: 13 PAs, 1 HR, 6K, 5BB, 1 SB
- E.J. Exposito: 5 PAs, 3 H, 1 HR, 1BB, 1K, 2.550 OPS
- Ambioris Tavarez: 13 PA, 3 H, 1 2B, 7K, .690 OPS
Pitchers
- Seth Keller: 3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2H, 4K, 0BB
- Adam Shoemaker: 3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1H, 4K, 1BB
- Jared Johnson: 2.1 IP, 1.29 ERA, 1H 2BB, 2K
Breakdown: 21 y/o OFer, Celedonio has been around since 2019, but nothing has ever been normal since then and it’s nice to see him getting to A-ball in Augusta. He’s a strong kid, but swings out of his shoes too much to be successful in the bigs. If the coaches can tame him a bit, there could be something here.
Exposito was drafted in the 16th round in 2022 and played for Augusta last year. This might be the first and only time he’ll be on here as he’s already a utility fielder at the MILB level.
Ambioris Tavarez is real, ladies and gents! Thus far, he hasn’t produced like the org thought he would but he’s very good with the glove and he’s still only 19. This is a big year for Tavarez, who’s been in the Braves org for 2 years.
Keller was drafted in the 6th round last year straight out of high school. He’s rumored to be pushing 96-97 after topping out at 95 when drafted, but that’s “friend of a friend” noise and not concrete news. Still, even hitting 95 is impressive for an 18 y/o, and if he’s pushing past that as a 19 y/o, we will be hearing more soon.
Drafted by the Braves in 2021, Shoemaker has not made is easy on himself as he has allowed way too many runners in his 2 years in pro baseball. He’s got a a seriously strong arm with potential oozing but has GOT to learn to throw strikes. He likely projects as a reliever, but has a lot to work on and this season feels like it’s make or break.
Jared Johnson has been around for awhile and has a serious heater that comes with serious control problems. He had TJ surgery at the end of 2021 and he’s a guy that could be fast-tracked as a reliever if he can stay healthy.
Join us in the bar to chat about this piece and more!
Recent Comments