The Gwinnett Stripers as a team are settling into mediocrity at the moment, with an 8-8 record. However, I don’t know many that are living or dying by a MILB team’s W/L record. Rather, it’s all about individual performances and who can help the team win in the bigs. In today’s piece, we will look at some players that have had smoking hot starts to their season, both position players and pitchers.

Hot Hitting Stripers

  • Luke Williams, 3HR, 12 RBI, .825 OPS: It really surprised me when David Fletcher, who can no longer be optioned without his permission, got the call to the bigs over Luke Williams, who’s been putting up solid numbers at the dish while playing a plethora of positions for the Stripers. He’s likely next in line if the Braves find a suitor for Fletcher, or if they rid themselves of his services.
  • Sandy Leon, 2HR, 11RBi, .963 OPS: When Sean Murphy went down with an oblique strain, the Braves made a quick move for a veteran backstop and brought Leon to AAA. Leon’s been a mainstay as an emergency catcher. However, his career has never been about his bat but early returns in 2024 are telling a new tale.
  • J.P. Martinez, 2HR, 7 RBI, .992 OPS, 7 SP (2CS): Martinez has been the most discussed player at Gwinnett on this forum. He’s definitely someone to dream on with combination of speed an athleticism. Coming in at only 5’8, the table’s stacked against him, but he’s trying his best to bust that table to bits.
  • Leury Garcia,1 HR, 21H, .389 BA, .965 OPS: Garcia was a long-time backup for the White Sox, appearing in 708 MLB games. Like Williams above, Garcia’s calling card is positional flexibility combined with above average speed. However, at 33, he’s a fringy player that would only get called up should something unfortunate happen to the MLB team.
  • Alejo Lopez, 5/5 in SBs, .835 OPS: Fletcher is now the backup 2B due to the Ozzie Albies injury. If Fletcher gets injured before Ozzie returns there’s a chance Lopez sees the bigs. Lopez has been the up and down call-up of the Reds for years and will likely continue that role the rest of his career.
  • Eli White, .911 OPS, 7 SB & 0 CS: White was given a chance last year when Michael Harris II went down in April of last year. It didn’t work. This year has looked no different for White, as he’s once again hitting the ball well at AAA, but is having a hard time staying on the field. He’s the Forrest Wall of AAA until Forrest Wall has to take a full-time position for an injured regular, then Eli White might become the Forrest Wall of MLB.

Slick Pitching Stripers

  • Bryce Elder, 3.31 ERA in 16.1 IP: It surprised me a bit when Bryce Elder was scratched and then didn’t get the call-up over Darius Vines. In the few innings I saw him pitch at AAA, he looked great and was doing what he did at the beginning of last year: top of the zone with the FB, below the zone with breaking pitches. I think we see Elder this next go-around and it will be interesting if he can duplicate what he’s been doing his last 2 starts.
  • Ray Kerr, 3.38 ERA, 14.6 K/9: If Aaron Bummer doesn’t straighten out (personally, I think he will be fine) or if someone else gets injured, Kerr could be next in line for a promotion. His stuff is electric but is catching a bit too much plate early on.
  • Darius Vines: No need to tell you what he’s done at AAA as you all saw him live last night. I’m guessing Mr. Vines has earned another shot the next go-around.
  • Grant Holmes, 1.42 ERA IN 6.1 IP: My favorite reliever at AAA and deserves to be in the bigs. Holmes has put in the work this past offseason and is begging to be in the bigs for this first time in his career.

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