When the Gwinnett Stripers announced their 2023 roster, I thought they would win a TON of games and be a fun AAA team to watch. They won their first game of the year then lost their next 11… seriously. Then they rattled off 6 in a row and lost yesterday. Overall, the team has a 7-13 record but I’d wager that they’re likely to be a +.500 team by year’s end with the mix of Quad-A types, prospects and cusp MLBers. Today’s installment of “Braves Farm, Week 2 Top Performers Gwinnett Stripers” is the 2nd installment of this series and in case you missed it, here’s Week 1. Today’s piece will cover a little more than a week as our last piece was dated through April 10th.

Gwinnett Stripers Top Performers, Week 2: Hitters

  • Braden Shewmake: 45 PAs, 14H, 3BB, 8K, 2HR, 7SB (0CS), .973 OPS
  • Nick Solak: 24 PAs, 7H, 0BB, 4K, 2HR, 0SB (1CS), .834 OPS
  • Forrest Wall: 52 PAs, 11H, 8BB, 9K, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 5 SB (0CS), .877 OPS

I have no inside info, but Braden Shewmake getting right at the plate combined with Vaughn Grissom‘s shaky defense, likely has Anthopoulos contemplating a swap, especially considering that Shewmake is already on the 40-man roster. We know that Shewmake can field, and I’d wager a bet that is beginning to outweigh Grissom’s offensive upside.

Solak has not been in the system long, but his production is a welcomed sign considering that Marcell Ozuna, who’s always been a statue in the field, has now become one at the plate. When Michael Harris II comes back from injury, Brian Snitker will be tasked with finding Sam Hilliard starts and I hope that Solak continues to impress and we see he and Sam take over LF duties.

Forrest Wall! Finally, it looks like his production is matching the quality of his name. Like Shewmake, Wall is stealing bases at a high rate and not getting caught. He’s hit leadoff most of the games for Gwinnett and while his BA is low, his walk rate is crazy high (leads the team with 14) and he’s scored 14 runs in 20 games.

Gwinnett Stripers Top Performers, Week 2: Pitchers

The starting pitchers on this list are a fun list.

Winans has been fantastic for Gwinnett and is carrying a 10.7 K/9 to go along with a 1.3 BB/9. He’s never made it to the showand I’m really rooting for him.

Soroka looks to finally be Soroka again and it’s only a matter of time (or an injury) before we see in in Atlanta.

And while it’s more walks than what I’d prefer, Dodd and Shuster are back to doing their thing with a High K-rate and a low ERA. However, I think they’ve moved down the pecking order, especially considering that Soroka is pitching well and building innings.

Rios has the most impressive line on the team as he’s still 0.00 on the year through 9.2 innings and has collected 15Ks while only 3H and 3BB. If a reliever falters, Rios has GOT to be the first trial.

Like Winans, Grant Holmes is another fun story for Gwinnett. Drafted in the 1st round by the Dodgers in 2014, but has never made the show, Holmes is 10 years in and still chasing the dream. He was used almost exclusively as a starter through 2019, but then started picking up more relief innings. The Braves have transitioned him to a full-time reliever this year, thus are at a 2IP max, and he’s pitched really well.

Final Breakdown

With a good mix of older dreamchasers like that have flirted with the bigs, to the injury-riddled Soroka, to the young guns in Shuster, Dodd, and Munoz, the Braves have a good mix of guys that could be seen at Truist at some point this year. And with Shewmake, Wall, and Solak, the Braves have plenty more options to test out when they finally decide they’ve seen enough of the elephant in the room and, unfortunately, Eddie Rosario.

Also, be sure to check out our friends and their Braves MILB breakdown over at Outfield Fly Rule

Let’s raise a pint and chat in the bar by clicking the below image.