Yesterday, long-time Braves MILB player Justin Dean hit a 3-run HR to clinch the win for the Gwinnett Stripers last game of the season. The team, which was mostly made up of Quad-A guys who could fill-in at the MLB level in a pinch, finished the season with a 70-78 record. In today’s piece, we will look at a offensive and pitching MVPs for each of the Braves affiliates from AAA to A-. Today, we start with the AAA affiliate. Let’s get to it! Your Gwinnett Stripers MVP selections!

Gwinnett Stripers MVP, Offense: Vaughn Grissom

On the offensive side, Vaughn Grissom seemingly excelled in all facets for the Gwinnett Stripers as he hit for a high average (.330), carried a high OBP (.419) and carried a strong SLH (.501) that was heavily aided by 36 doubles in 397 ABs. Like many of the Braves at the big league level, Grissom controlled the zone well and showed a keen eye as he only struck out in 66 of his 397 PAs. If there is one caveat in his season, it’s the lack of over the fence power but that concerns me very little. At this point, Grissom is ready for the bigs, but his path with the Braves is murky at best. It’s my opinion that Grissom will be the latest in a long list of prospects to wear another uniform next year when the Braves address a need via trade.

Gwinnett Stripers MVP, Pitcher: Allan Winans

Allan Winans was a serious workhorse for the Stripers this year, throwing 126.1 innings with a 2.85 ERA, 8.05 K/9, and a 2.56 BB/9. And while that’s good, his results when getting called to the bigs have been just as good: 4.13 ERA, 10.67 K/9, 2BB/9. Winans will finish out the year with the Braves big league club and likely get another start or 2 with hopes of sticking on the Braves 40-man and proving himself worthy of the 5th starter spot.

Gwinnett Stripers LVP, Offense: Braden Shewmake

Shewmake was the talk of camp in March when in-house scouts, coaching personnel, and Braves beatwriters declared him the most improved player in spring. Unfortunately that faded fast and it’s about time for the org to let him try to spread his wings elsewhere in another org. Shewmake finished the season with a .703 OPS in his 4th year in the system.

Gwinnett Stripers LVP, Pitcher: Jared Shuster

Many might 2nd guess my decision to choose Jared Shuster over Dylan Dodd considering Dodd’s results at AAA and MLB were worse than Shuster’s and it’s simple: expectations. Shuster was.a 1st round pick and it was expected that he was polished enough to be a fast riser in the system and be able to hold down a back end of the rotation spot. This didn’t happen and the Braves really needed him in that role this year. Shuster finished with a 5.64 ERA in 52.2 MLB innings and a 5.01 ERA in 79 innings at AAA. With the 1st round pick forever attached to his name, the Braves will give him ample opportunity to prove he’s worthy, unless they decide to trade him in the offseason, which could very much happen.

If you’re interested in more Braves MILB pieces, check these 3 out:

Join us in the bar to chat it up!