Atlanta Braves Clippings

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Braves.com

Two-way Teheran leads Braves past Padres

By AJ Cassavell and Mark Bowman / MLB.com | June 8th, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- Julio Teheran kept the Padres off-balance Wednesday afternoon, as the right-hander led the Braves to a 4-2 victory, snapping Atlanta's five-game losing streak and its 12-game skid at Petco Park.

Teheran allowed a pair of solo home runs to Padres first baseman Wil Myers, but little else, as he struck out eight over eight frames and allowed five hits. He also chipped in at the plate with a pair of singles and an RBI.

Ender Inciarte finished a homer shy of the cycle and sparked a big day from the top of the Braves' order. Inciarte, Chase d'Arnaud and Freddie Freeman finished a combined 7-for-12 with two walks, three runs scored and three RBIs.

"Inciarte and d'Arnaud created a lot of havoc at the top of the lineup today, and that's what we need to get some wins," Freeman said. "What they did today translated into a win. It seemed like they were always on base, and we were able to get them in today."

Padres left-hander Drew Pomeranz labored as much as he has in any outing this season, allowing three runs on nine hits over five innings. He took the loss, as the Padres squandered another chance for a sweep. They're now 0-8 after winning the first two games of a series this season.

"You keep putting yourself in a position to sweep -- that's a good thing," said Padres manager Andy Green. "But at some point in time, you need to get the job done."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Breaking the trend: Left-handed starting pitchers had previously posted a 2.10 ERA against the Braves, and Pomeranz had allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his previous 11 starts. But these trends were quickly bucked as Inciarte and d'Arnaud began their three-hit games by accounting for two of the four singles Atlanta recorded in a two-run first inning. Inciarte tripled with two outs in the sixth, and scored when d'Arnaud followed with an RBI double.

"Inciarte is really swinging that bat pretty good right now, and Chase had a couple really good at-bats," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "You love that first-and-third action when they've got that going. [Freeman] the past few days, we've seen some really good signs."

Wil thrills: Myers' multi-homer game was his first as a Padre, and he went deep five times on the eight-game homestand. He also made a diving stop at first base to halt Atlanta's first-inning rally.

"I think he's got all the potential in the world," Green said. "I wouldn't want to put any kind of limitation on him whatsoever. To me, from an offensive standpoint, when Wil stays disciplined within his approach and fires off his A swing, he's as good as anybody in the game."

Eight strong: Teheran did not allow a hit through the first three innings and found fortune when Alexei Ramirez lined into a double play between a pair of fifth-inning singles. Myers' home runs served as the only costly damage incurred by the Braves right-hander, who has posted a 1.93 ERA over his past 10 starts. Five of the eight hits Teheran has surrendered over his past two starts have been solo home runs.

"Every time I step on the mound, I've got all my confidence and I want my team to win and to do all I can to help my team win," Teheran said after notching his second win of the season and his first road win against a National League West opponent since June 6, 2014.

Up, but not out: Melvin Upton Jr. has been arguably the Padres' most exciting player this season. He's already stolen home, thrown out six over-adventurous baserunners and hit two walk-off dingers. On Wednesday afternoon, he added a second home-run robbery to his 2016 resume. Freeman launched an 0-2 fastball from Pomeranz to left, which appeared to be ticketed for the seats. But Upton found the wall and timed his leap perfectly, keeping an Atlanta run off the scoreboard.

"I knew it was hit well," Upton said. "It was hot. I was just tracking it, found the wall. Initially, I didn't think I was going to jump, but I ended up having to jump, and I caught it."

Freeman also came inches short of hitting a home run on Tuesday night, when a replay review determined a fan didn't interfere with his eighth-inning triple.

"I asked [Upton] if it was going to be a home run, and he said, 'Yeah,'" Freeman said with a smile. "I said, 'Why didn't you just tell me it was going to be a double?'"

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS The Braves had scored three or fewer runs in 13 of their most recent 14 games at Petco Park. This was their first win in San Diego since Aug. 28, 2012.

WHAT'S NEXT Braves: Atlanta will begin a three-game series against the Cubs at Turner Field on Friday at 7:35 p.m. ET. Bud Norris will attempt to build on the success he had on Saturday, when he allowed one run over five innings while making a spot start in place of the injured Mike Foltynewicz.

Padres: Following an off-day Thursday, Andrew Cashner takes the hill in Colorado, looking for his third win in as many outings against the Rockies. First pitch is set for 5:40 p.m. PT. Cashner beat the Rockies with 5 2/3 innings of three-run ball his last time out.

Inciarte showing signs of life after slow start

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | June 8th, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- As Ender Inciarte's struggles mounted over the course of the month that has elapsed since he ended a month-long stint on the disabled list, he searched for answers and determined it was time to simply regain the same aggressive, care-free approach he displayed for most of the past two seasons while with the D-backs.

Inciarte's diligent efforts to turn things around were rewarded when he notched a season-high three hits and finished a home run shy of the cycle as the Braves snapped a 12-game Petco Park losing streak with Wednesday afternoon's 4-2 winover the Padres.

"He's a perfect guy to have [in the leadoff spot]," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "I just feel good for him, because he's been working hard. It's good to see the hard work pay off."

Though there were concerns about his ability to hit left-handed pitchers, Inciarte showed the potential to be a leadoff hitter with Arizona last season, hitting .303 with a .338 on-base percentage. That was the role the Braves envisioned him filling for many years to come when he was acquired in the blockbuster deal that sent Shelby Millerto the D-backs in December.

But Inciarte's early days with the Braves were anything but kind. The skillful center fielder played just two games before straining his left hamstring, and when he returned to Atlanta's lineup, he proceeded to hit .198 with a .267 on-base percentage during a 27-game span that ran through Sunday.

Though Inciarte might not have been attempting to put extra pressure on himself while introducing himself to a new environment, he viewed this stretch as being similar to what he experienced when he hit .197 with a .230 on-base percentage through the first 30 games of his career, in 2014. He then proceeded to hit .296 with a .336 OBP over the remainder of that season.

"These past two series, I've been trying to get into a rhythm, because I want to do well and I want to help the team," Inciarte said. "It's not like I'm putting pressure on myself, but I expect a lot out of myself. So hopefully I'm going to get it going, and then hopefully we can start winning more games."

Inciarte provided some signs of encouragement during Monday's two-hit performance and then showed more of his capabilities on Wednesday, when he singled during a two-run first inning and then drilled a two-out triple that positioned him to score on Chase d'Arnaud's triple in the sixth inning.

"I'm trying to be more aggressive and let it go," Inciarte said. "The past month-and-a-half, my swing hasn't felt right, because I've been just trying to put the ball in play, instead of just trying to hit it hard somewhere. That's what I've been doing lately."

Braves' Perez hopeful for minimum DL stay

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | June 8th, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- Williams Perez remains hopeful that he is not dealing with a significant shoulder injury. But because he has continued to feel some discomfort that would have certainly prevented him from making his next start on Sunday, the Braves right-hander will spend at least the next two weeks resting and rehabbing.

The Braves placed Perez on the 15-day disabled list with a right rotator cuff strain and recalled John Gant from Triple-A Gwinnett before Wednesday afternoon's series finale against the Padres at Petco Park.

"It just hasn't calmed down," Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Perez's upper arm discomfort. "He's just going to need time to let things relax."

Perez exited Monday night's start against the Padres in the fifth inning, after feeling some soreness in his right triceps muscle. The 25-year-old pitcher said he is now feeling most of the soreness around his shoulder. He'll be further evaluated in Atlanta.

The Braves will not need to fill Perez's spot in the rotation again until Tuesday. Casey Kelly's candidacy to make that start will depend on how frequently he is needed as a reliever within the next few days.

"I'm hoping the rehab is successful and that by the time the two weeks are up, I'll be feeling good enough to come back," Perez said.

Gant made Atlanta's Opening Day roster and remained on the roster through the season's first six games. He has now been recalled from Gwinnett four times, including twice within the final five days of the current six-game West Coast trip.

Gant will provide some depth to Atlanta's bullpen as a long-relief option. The 23-year-old right-hander has had some success with Gwinnett this year, but he entered play Wednesday having allowed 15 hits and eight earned runs in 11 2/3 innings in the Majors.

Braves deal K. Johnson to Mets ... again

Minor League right-hander Morris headed to Atlanta in trade

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | June 8th, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- Kelly Johnson had mixed emotions when he learned early Wednesday morning that the Braves had traded him to the Mets for a second straight season. His departure from the team that nurtured his early development creates an opportunity for him to be reintroduced to a group of guys with which he shared a trip to last year's World Series.

The Braves traded Johnson to the Mets in exchange for Akeel Morris, a 23-year-old pitcher who ranked as New York's 16th-best prospect, per MLBPipeline.com. While Morris will be assigned to Double-A Mississippi, Johnson will now attempt to strengthen the Mets' bench in the same manner he did during last season's final two months.

"It's an ideal move for me, because I was with the Mets last year," Johnson said. "It's exciting, and hopefully we can go one step further this year."

The Mets began their surge toward a National League East title and the World Series after acquiring Johnson and Juan Uribe from the Braves on July 23. Atlanta received two pitching prospects -- John Gant and Rob Whalen -- in that deal. Now, the Braves hope to gain some value from Morris, who has posted a 4.62 ERA while recording 36 strikeouts and issuing 16 walks over 25 1/3 innings for Double-A Binghamton this season.

Morris has posted a 2.91 ERA and recorded 12 strikeouts per nine innings while totaling 303 innings over seven Minor League seasons, which have been primarily spent as a reliever. He allowed five earned runs and recorded just two outs when he made his only Major League appearance during a June 17 game against the Blue Jays last season.

When Johnson re-signed with the Braves in January, he laughed whenever he heard fans or even teammates joke that he would eventually be traded back to the Mets this year. But really, he simply was looking forward to the opportunity help the Braves move along in their rebuilding process while having the opportunity to remain close to his wife and children, who live in Atlanta.

"I don't think Kelly wanted to leave, because he was home with his family," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "But if he has to go somewhere, I'm glad he's going to a team that is familiar with him and wants him. It's a great opportunity for him."

Though Johnson has continued to serve as valuable clubhouse member, he has not been as productive as he was last season, when he hit .265 with 14 home runs and a .772 OPS. He hit .215 with one homer and a .562 OPS in 132 plate appearances for the Braves this season.

Johnson began his professional career with the Braves in 2000 and made his Major League debut in 2005. He remained with Atlanta through the end of 2009, and then returned last year.

"I'll always pull for the Braves to become exciting and successful again," Johnson said. "I'll miss all the guys on the team, and the coaches. I hope they all get hot, rip off a huge winning streak and have fun doing it again soon, except when I'm across the field."

A notable player who was traded to the same team in successive years was Ron Hassey, a catcher who was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox in December 1985 and July 1986. In between, the Yankees reacquired him from the White Sox in February 1986.

Cubs take hot hurling into Atlanta for weekend set

By Evan Webeck / MLB.com | June 8th, 2016

The schedule has been kind to the Cubs' pitching staff recently, even if they haven't needed it. After playing three against the Majors' second-worst offense in the Phillies, they head to Atlanta to face the only team that has scored less than Philadelphia.

Over their last 14 games -- of which Chicago has won 11 -- Cubs starters have posted a 1.75 ERA. Kyle Hendricks' two runs allowed in Tuesday's loss were the most a Cubs starter allowed in three games against the Phillies.

Friday's series opener at Turner Field will pit Jason Hammel (7-1, 2.14 ERA) against Bud Norris (1-7, 5.28 ERA), with Hammel looking to extend the Cubs' run of strong pitching. In his last three starts, the right-hander has a 1.65 ERA.

Norris has gone back and forth between the Braves' bullpen and rotation, starting six games while appearing in 18 overall. Norris is making his second start filling in for Mike Foltynewicz, who landed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right elbow. In his first start since April 27, Norris pitched five innings of one-run ball on Saturday against the Dodgers.

Three things to know about this game

• The Braves and Cubs have played twice this season, splitting a two-game series in Chicago at the end of April, with the Braves prevailing in the 10th inning of the second contest.

• Albert Almora, the Cubs' No. 5 prospect, made his first Major League start on Wednesday. The 22-year-old outfielder was called up on Tuesday to replace Jorge Soler, who was placed on the DL with a strained left hamstring. Almora cut down a runner at home to complete a double play in the first before adding his first Major League hit and RBI in the eighth.

• The Braves saw some roster turnover prior to Wednesday's series finale in San Diego. First, they dealt utility man Kelly Johnson to the Mets. Williams Perez was later placed on the DL with a rotator cuff strain. Atlanta recalled John Gant to take the place of Perez, who was slotted to start Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Teheran sharp as Braves end long skid at San Diego

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

SAN DIEGO – When last the Braves beat the Padres at Petco Park, Kris Medlen was Atlanta’s starting pitcher, Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla drove in the game’s only two runs, and Julio Teheran was a prospect in Triple-A, having been up and down a few times with the big-league team.

Nearly 46 months later, the Braves finally won again at the ballpark in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Teheran pitched eight strong innings Wednesday in a 4-2 win as the Braves avoided being swept in a three-game series and six-game southern California trip. They stopped losing streaks of six games overall, six games on the road and six against the Padres, as well as a 12-game skid at Petco since late-August 2012.

“To say (Teheran) came up big is probably an understatement,” said interim manager Brian Snitker, whose Braves played a man short after trading Kelly Johnson to the Mets early Wednesday. “Where we were today, bullpen-wise, position player-wise after the trade … it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Ender Inciarte and Chase d’Arnaud had three hits apiece from the first spots in batting order, Inciarte with a single, double and triple. Each singled in the first inning before Freddie Freeman’s sacrifice fly, which was followed by two more singles from Jeff Francoeur and Nick Markakis to push the lead to 2-0.

“(Inciarte) and d’Arnaud created a lot of havoc today at the top of the lineup, and that’s what we need to get some wins,” Freeman said. “Seemed like they were always on base and we were able to get them in a few times today. It makes the flight a lot easier going back home, getting a win. It’s been a long time since we got a win here in San Diego. We’ve got a tough weekend, tough matchups (against the Cubs), so hopefully we can carry this hitting into this weekend.”

Freeman added a double and his second opposite-field near-homer in as many games for the Braves, who went 1-5 against the Dodgers and Padres on the trip. They’re off Thursday before hosting the powerful Cubs to start a seven-game homestand at Turner Field.

Teheran (2-6) allowed two runs, five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in eight innings and 110 pitches, the only damage on a pair of Wil Myers home runs. Teheran also had two hits himself.

He gave up five solo home runs in two starts on the trip but Teheran allowed only three other hits and no other runs.

After surrendering three runs and being pulled after 5 2/3 innings of a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers, Teheran had no trouble with anyone in the Padres lineup except Myers, who had his fourth multi-homer game and first since 2014.

“Today we really, really needed (Teheran),” Snitker said, “and it was almost like I remember back in the day — it was a ‘give me a couple of runs and I’ll take you for a ride’ type thing.”

The Braves had four hits and a 2-0 lead before Padres left-hander Drew Pomeranz (5-6) recorded his second out. Pomeranz was 3-1 with a 0.73 ERA in four home starts before Wednesday, when he gave up nine hits and three runs in five innings.

It was the fourth consecutive game in which the Braves took a first-inning lead, but the first time their starting pitcher didn’t give the lead back in the bottom of the first. Teheran didn’t allow a hit until Myers’ leadoff homer in the fourth inning, which cut the Braves’ lead to 3-1.

“Whenever we got the lead that’s a good thing for the starting pitching,” Teheran said. “We just try to hold the other team then, and I was able to do it. I know the two homers, but I was just trying to concentrate and keep my team in the game, and that’s what I was able to do.”

Inciarte tripled and scored on d’Arnaud’s double in the sixth to push the lead back to three runs before Myers hit his second homer.

Ex-Brave Melvin Upton Jr. made a leaping catch in front of the left-field wall to rob Freeman of a fifth-inning homer, the second potential homer Freeman lost in that area in 15 hours. His eighth-inning fly ball caromed off the top of the fence and back to the field for a triple in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss.

“I asked (Upton) if it was going to be home run and he said yes,” Freeman said, smiling. “I said, why didn’t you just tell me it was going to be a double instead of a home run. But I hit it too high, gave him time to get back there.”

Teheran has allowed 20 homers in his past 21 starts, but has a 2.98 ERA in that period. He won for just the fifth time in those 21 games as the Braves scored more than two runs while he was in the game for just the fifth time in that span.

Braves down to 3-man bench Wednesday after trade

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

SAN DIEGO – The Braves were down to a three-man bench for Wednesday’s series finale against the Padres, after trading veteran infielder Kelly Johnson to the Mets and not having enough time to get another player to San Diego in time for a 12:40 p.m. (Pacific Time) game.

Not a big problem, as far as interim manager Brian Snitker was concerned. He said he could remember having 23- or 24-man rosters more than a decade ago when he managed in Double-A.

National League teams typically carry five bench players and a 12-man pitching staff, but the Braves are among teams that have recently carried an extra pitcher and a four-man bench. After the Johnson trade was finalized early Wednesday, they were down to three bench players Wednesday – outfielder Mallex Smith, infielder Brandon Snyder and catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

The Braves will add a position player before Friday’s series opener against the Cubs, and are expected to bring shortstop Erick Aybar off the 15-day disabled list Sunday, the first day he’s eligible to return. While team officials wouldn’t discuss options for Friday’s callup, it’s possible the Braves could bring back infielder Jace Peterson from Triple-A Gwinnett.

When Aybar comes off the DL, the Braves could consider sending down infielder Daniel Castro, a strong defensive player batting just .184 with a .225 on-base percentage and .193 slugging percentage in 114 at-bats before Wednesday.

As for going with a short bench, it helped that Snyder has a catching background and continues to catch bullpen sessions to stay sharp behind the plate, in case he’s needed as a third catcher. That gives Snitker the flexibility to pinch-hit with his backup catcher earlier than he otherwise might.

Perez to DL with rotator-cuff strain; Gant recalled again

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

SAN DIEGO – Williams Perez and the Braves seem confident that his shoulder injury isn’t serious, but he’ll be out for at least a couple of weeks after being placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a right rotator-cuff strain.

Perez left Monday’s game against the Padres in the fifth inning with what was initially diagnosed as triceps soreness.

“It just hasn’t calmed down,” Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. “I think it’s more now that the rotator cuff is sore. He’s going to need time now just to let things relax.

“Given he wouldn’t make the next start and probably after that, so it’s just more getting him calmed down and strengthened back up. Because I think his shoulder was really weak.”

Perez said he agreed with the decision to DL him. He’s 2-2 with a 4.62 ERA in nine starts, and before giving up six runs in 4 1/3 innings Monday he had posted a 3.38 ERA and .214 opponents’ average in five starts since returning from demotion to Triple-A.

“Yeah, I think it’s the right decision,” he said through a translator. “Hopefully I can just take these two weeks and just get back in shape. My biceps and triceps were sore when I came out of the game. They’re not really bothering me anymore, it’s just more shoulder discomfort.”

Snitker said there was always the possibility that an MRI or other tests could reveal an injury more severe than anticipated, but didn’t know if such tests were scheduled. Perez was examined by a San Diego doctor the past two days, and will be evaluated by Braves doctors Thursday after returning to Atlanta with the team.

“They haven’t said anything like that,” Perez said of possible MRI or CD scans being done in Atlanta. “I think I’m just going to check in with the doctor tomorrow, he’s going to check me out, see what he says, and we’re just going to take it a day at a time.”

The Braves have an off day Thursday, which will allow the Braves to delay filling Perez’s rotation spot with another starter until Tuesday. Perez would otherwise have been scheduled to start Sunday’s home-series finale against the Cubs.

“Right now we’re going to skip his spot,” Snitker said. “With the day off, it kind of comes at a good time. I think Bud (Norris) and (Matt) Wisler will get an extra day and we’ll probably pitch (Aaron) Blair on Sunday and then follow him up with Julio.”

Blair, who pitched Tuesday, and Teheran, who pitched Wednesday’s series finale, would both be on regular rest if they start games this coming Sunday (series finale vs. Cubs) and Monday (vs. Reds). The Braves would then need to add a starter for Tuesday.

Braves trade Kelly Johnson to the Mets for pitching prospect

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

SAN DIEGO – For the second consecutive year the Braves traded veteran utility infielder Kelly Johnson to the New York Mets in exchange for minor league pitching.

Johnson was traded Wednesday for right-handed prospect Akeel Morris, 23, who’s 2-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 22 relief appearances this season in Double-A, with 36 strikeouts and 16 walks in 25 1/3 innings.

Johnson, 34, struggled in his third career stint with the Braves, batting .215 (26-for-121) with one home run, 10 RBIs and a .273 on-base percentage and .289 slugging percentage (.562 OPS) in 49 games this season.

“Great guy in the clubhouse,” Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. “Kelly is special to me, I’ve known him for years since I had him as a kid (on Snitker-managed Double-A teams in 2003-04). Wonderful person, amazing career. And I’m glad for him that he’s going somewhere that he’s familiar with, where he’s wanted and he’s comfortable going. It’s a great opportunity for him.”

Morris, a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is 14-15 with a 2.91 ERA in 154 appearances (26 starts) over seven minor league seasons and has piled up an impressive 405 strikeouts and 167 walks in 303 innings.

In his only major league appearance, in 2015 against the Blue Jays, Morris recorded two outs and gave up three hits, five runs, a homer and three walks. He’ll be assigned to Double-A Mississippi to begin his Braves career.

The Braves had a 12:40 p.m. series finale in San Diego on Wednesday and didn’t have time to get another bench player in from a minor league affiliate, so they were left with 24 on the 25-man roster for one game, with only three bench players. They already were playing with a short bench because they’ve carried an extra pitcher for more than a week.

A year ago, Johnson hit .275 with nine homers and a .772 OPS in 197 plate appearances (62 games) for the Braves before they traded him along with third baseman Juan Uribe to the Mets in a July 24 deal in exchange for minor league right-handers John Gant and Robert Whalen.

Johnson re-signed with the Braves in January, getting a one-year, $2 million contract.

“I don’t think Kelly wanted to leave,” Snitker said. “He’s home with his family, lives in Atlanta, but if he has to go somewhere I’m glad he’s going somewhere that’s familiar with him, that wants him. Great opportunity for him, kind of the best of a (trade) situation. I’m sure he’d love to have stayed here all year, just the fact that you’re living at home; it’s hard to do that in this game. But like I said, it’s a good situation for him.”

Gant has been up and down between Triple-A and the majors for the Braves this season, posting a 6.94 ERA in his first seven major league appearances (all in relief), while Whalen, 22, is 4-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 11 starts in Double-A.

Braves: A cautionary tale about drafting No. 3

By Thomas Stinson - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mike Kelly.

As the Braves finalize their options for the first two rounds of the MLB draft on Thursday night — the scouting department has been encamped in a Turner Field conference room since Sunday — the franchise anticipates a formidable haul. Not only do they possess the No. 3 overall pick, the club’s highest since 1991, but they will pick three more players on the first day and then a fifth with the third selection of the third round, which starts Friday.

That’s five of the first 80 picks. Only San Diego, with six picks in the top 85, will be busier.

But it is the No. 3 pick that stirs the local curiosity. The franchise’s long run of success has meant the Braves haven’t owned a top-5 pick in 25 years. Though this draft appears light in prototypical No. 1 prospects, the Braves will have their options, whether they settle on established college hitters — Mercer outfielder Kyle Lewis, Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel, Louisville outfielder Corey Ray — or high schoolers — New Jersey left-hander Jason Groome, Californian outfielder Mickey Moniak, Kansas right-hander Riley Pint.

“It’s a pitching-heavy draft, but we’ll have an opportunity at pick 3 to get a really good player,” Braves general manager John Coppollela said. “That could be a pitcher or a hitter, high school or college. We like the talent at the top of the draft, and we feel very confident we’re going to get a player we really like a lot.”

The No. 3 pick has it history. Matt Williams was a No. 3 (1986), as were Paul Molitor (1977) and Robin Yount (1973). Kansas City chose first baseman Eric Hosmer No. 3 in 2008 and last fall, he broke George Brett’s franchise postseason RBIs record. Tampa Bay used its No. 3 pick in 2006 on Evan Longoria, who helped turn a losing operation into a contender.

But a No. 3 also was used in 2009 by San Diego to take Cartersville outfielder Donovan Tate, who through injuries and substance-abuse problems never rose above Single-A. Third baseman Josh Vitters was the Cubs’ No. 3 in 2007. He eventually appeared in 29 games in Chicago, washed out of the majors last year and is playing for the independent league Bridgeport (Conn.) Bluefish, hoping a scout sees something he likes.

“Teams still whiff. It is still sports,” said John Manuel, editor of Baseball America. “It’s the reason we watch. It’s still unpredictable.”

Which introduces Kelly, who in 1991 at Arizona State was the consensus top college outfielder in the country. Speedy with power — his 46 homers for the Sun Devils exceeded Barry Bonds — he came to Atlanta as a No. 2 pick, the first draftee under new GM John Schuerholz.

His production in the minors was spotty. Four years in, he was being out-hit by Mike Mordecai and journeyman Luis Lopez at Triple-A Richmond. He eventually appeared in only 127 Atlanta games between 1994-95 before he was dealt to Cincinnati for reliever Chad Fox. As a Brave, he recorded more strikeouts (66) than hits (47).

Back when early draft picks were just another rite of Atlanta summer, the club frequently guessed right, landing Dale Murphy (No. 5 in 1974), Bob Horner (No. 1 in 1978), Steve Avery (No. 3 in 1988) and Chipper Jones (No. 1 in 1990). The same organization drafted Ken Smith (No. 3 in 1976), Brad Komminsk (No. 4 in 1979) and Tyler Houston (No. 2 in 1989).

Which may explain Braves director of scouting Brian Bridges’ sleep patterns.

“There’s no time like right now,” Bridges said. “People lay in bed and sleep at night. I lay in bed and count popcorn on the ceiling, just thinking about things as we move forward with players.”

With 42 players to draft through Saturday, to be followed by the international signing period that opens July 2 — the Braves hold four of the top 93 signing slots — the club figures to strengthen a farm system already ranked the third-most talented in the game.

But a No. 3 pick provides a headline for an franchise that has staked its reputation on this massive rebuild. And as was the case back in 1991, they could use a big bat.

“It’s kind of funny that we have them picking an African-American, college outfielder, just like the last time they picked this high,” Manuel said. “It’s coincidental, but I do think they want at bat at 3. I think they want a bat who will cut a deal at 3. The consensus college top bats, Ray and Lewis, are not (Scott) Boras Corporation clients. Nick Senzel is. That’s why you hear the Braves so consistently tied to Ray and to Lewis.”

Will Braves’ top pick be Mercer’s Kyle Lewis?

By Mark Bradley - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves own the third pick in the MLB draft, which commences Thursday night. That’s the loftiest selection this franchise has had since 1991, when they took outfielder Mike Kelly of Arizona State No. 2 overall. It’s the second time in 25 years the Braves have had a top-10 pick. (Mike Minor was the seventh player drafted in 2009.)

Department of Duh: If you’re a team on pace to lose 117 games, you probably shouldn’t whiff with your highest pick in a quarter of a century. But it’s not as if the Braves haven’t leveraged their bets. They’ve accumulated five of the draft’s first 80 picks. In a sport where uncertainty reigns, what works best is volume.

Philadelphia and Cincinnati hold the draft’s first two picks. (The rascally Reds stole No. 2 overall by losing 14 of their final 15 games last season.) It’s generally assumed that A.J. Puk, the Florida Gators’ lefthander, will go No. 2 if not No. 1. And here we turn to J.J. Cooper, the managing editor of Baseball America, for some handicapping of what he describes as “a crazily fluid draft.”

“You figure Puk won’t make it to No. 3,” Cooper said. “You figure one of college bats goes No. 2, maybe (Tennessee infielder) Nick Senzel. The Braves could be more conservative and take one of the college outfielders. That would be a very logical pick — a draft for need.”

In this space two days ago, general manager John Coppolella said the Braves wouldn’t draft for need. He also said: “The biggest thing for me in a perfect world would be to draft a college bat.”

Assuming Cooper’s scenario holds, the Braves could pick, at worst, the second-best college bat. (Because there’s a larger body of work, college hitters tend to project more accurately than high schoolers.) Cooper believes the Braves’ choice could be between Kyle Lewis of Mercer and Corey Ray of Louisville. Ray played in a better conference and is regarded as the more polished hitter. Lewis, who’s from Snellville and who graduated from Shiloh High, is seen as having the greater potential.

Said Cooper: “Lewis would be the outside version of taking a college player. He didn’t play in the ACC. Ray’s hit tool is further along. Lewis has a swing-and-miss issue. He takes big swings. He can also hit the ball 450 feet. … Corey Ray is the safe pick.”

Then again, the Braves under Coppolella haven’t exactly erred on the side of safety. “This front office loves upside,” Cooper said. “Jason Groome (a lefty from New Jersey) could be best player in draft, or he could one of those high school pitchers who have a frightening track record.”

As for overall state of the Braves, Cooper said: “What they’re building in the minors has had definite ups and downs, but it’s pretty impressive, pretty imposing. Getting Dansby Swanson is a move that will pay off for years to come. They’ve gone so upside, so high-risk, that some of these guys are going to fail. But if you look at the volume of guys they have, it’s hard to believe some aren’t going to pan out. Look at low-A (the Rome Braves). Austin Riley hasn’t been very good; Ronald Acuna has been very good. Touki Toussaint hasn’t been very good this year; Mike Soroka has been very good.”

Then: “They look like they’re going to be good up the middle with (Ozzie) Albies, Swanson and Mallex Smith. But you ask: Where’s the thump going to come from?”

From the third pick in this draft, maybe? Said Cooper: “It wouldn’t shock me if they took Corey Ray; it wouldn’t stun me if they took Jason Groome. But guessing right now, I’d say Kyle Lewis.”

There’s late buzz that Lewis, just named Baseball America’s college player of the year, could go No. 1 overall. But say he’s available at No. 3. In 61 games for Mercer this season, Lewis hit 20 home runs. In 58 games, the Braves have 23 home runs. Yeah, there’s need there.

Fox Sports

Braves trade Kelly Johnson to Mets for productive minor-league reliever

By Staff

For the fifth time in his career, Kelly Johnson has been traded — and his latest transaction comes with an added sense of familiarity.

The Atlanta Braves sent Johnson, 34, to the New York Mets for the second time in as many seasons, acquiring high-strikeout minor-league reliever Akeel Morris in the process. Last season, while Atlanta wrapped up its Cooperstown festivities around John Smoltz's Hall of Fame induction, Johnson was packaged with Juan Uribe to bring back productive prospects John Gant and Rob Whalen.

The veteran utility option has watched his production fall off this season, his 11th in the majors, as he's hitting just .215/.273/.289 with one home run.

Still, the Mets lead only the Braves and Phillies in runs scored this season — a similar scenario as their 2015 season, needing to find offense to complement a dominant pitching staff — and Johnson provides a well-known, versatile commodity.

Unlike the "flyer"-type prospects the Braves acquired in their Jhoulys Chacin and Jason Grilli deals, though, the 23-year-old Morris offers real intrigue and is much, much closer to MLB-ready. The right-hander posted double-digit strikeout rates at every single minor-league stop in his career — striking out 12.79 batters per nine innings this season in Double-A — and he posted a sub-2.50 ERA in each of his past four seasons. (He's sitting with a 4.62 ERA and dealing with some command issues this year.) More from FanGraphs:

"Morris has a live arm with setup potential, but he is very reliant on his arm speed to generate his stuff. He lands on a stiff front leg without much hip rotation, resulting in a lot of effort and rigidity in his upper body and arm. His fastball looks faster than it actually is with his quick arm action, and he has a solid changeup with good run. If he can improve his control, there's nothing stopping him from settling into a seventh- or eighth-inning role."

Morris will be assigned to Double-A Mississippi.

Johnson joins Chacin and Grilli as the early trade pieces for this Braves roster, and more moves could be on the horizon with the likes of Jim Johnson, Bud Norris, Alexi Ogando, Eric O'Flaherty, Chase d'Arnaud and Jeff Francoeur on low-cost contracts. (Bigger pieces such as Julio Teheran, Nick Markakis and Arodys Vizcaino have also warranted consideration around the industry.)

Given Johnson's struggles thus far, it's difficult to picture Atlanta's front office extracting a more valuable asset than Morris, who could very well factor into their bullpen plans in the near future.

ESPN

Who is Akeel Morris, the prospect traded by Mets to Braves?

Adam Rubin - ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- Right-hander Akeel Morris' career ERA stands at 67.50. It ranks as the second-highest in New York Mets history, trailing only the 108.00 ERA put up by Garrett Olson in one-third of an inning in 2012, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Now, Morris will not get a chance to one day chip away at that ERA as a Met. He was traded Wednesday to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Kelly Johnson and cash. Morris was 2-2 with a 4.62 ERA and six saves in 22 relief appearances with Double-A Binghamton this season.

Despite last year's flop in the majors, the 23-year-old Morris would not trade the experience of his surprise debut last June 17 in Toronto.

Summoned all the way from Class A St. Lucie because he was on the 40-man roster and the Mets needed a safety net with their bullpen overworked, manager Terry Collins decided to throw Morris a bone before the prospect returned to the minors. So Collins inserted Morris in relief against the high-octane Blue Jays' lineup. And let's just say things did not go well.

Entering with the Mets trailing 3-0 in the eighth at Rogers Centre, Morris consecutively walked Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista to begin his appearance. The Mets then failed to turn a seemingly routine double play onEdwin Encarnacion's grounder. Still, Morris did not help himself from that point forward. He eventually surrendered a three-run homer to Danny Valenciato cap the five-run frame and the scoring in Toronto's 8-0 win.

"I learned from the experience -- learned to slow it down and stay within yourself, don't try to do too much," Morris said during spring training, reflecting on his debut. "The game kind of sped up on me. I kind of have to learn to sit back and just relax and trust my stuff."

Asked about his most memorable moment, Morris said: "When I let go of the changeup to Valencia and he hit it out. I knew I left it up, and he capitalized on it."

Morris nonetheless became the 12th player born in the U.S. Virgin Islands to appear in the majors. The last was infielder Callix Crabbe, who appeared in 21 games with the San Diego Padres in 2008.

Morris has posted gaudy ERAs in each of the past three seasons in the minors. He had a 1.00 ERA with Brooklyn in 2013, then a 0.63 ERA in 2014 with Savannah. Before the promotion to the majors, he had a 1.69 ERA and 13 saves in 14 chances with St. Lucie.

After facing the Blue Jays, Morris headed to Binghamton. He had a 2.45 ERA in 23 relief appearances the remainder of last season.

As for what he needs to polish before getting another shot in the majors to chip away at his unsightly ERA (now, albeit, with the Braves), Morris said: "I've been working on keeping the ball down. And my slider has been coming along."

The Sports Xchange

Braves stop six-game slide with 4-2 win

The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO — Julio Teheran held San Diego to two Wil Myers home runs in eight innings on Wednesday afternoon as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Padres 4-2 to snap a six-game losing streak and salvage a win in the three-game series between the last-place teams in the National League’s East and West divisions.

The loss marked the 19th time in 20 games this year that the Padres have lost the last game of a series. Atlanta also snapped a 12-game losing streak at Petco Park.

Myers’ 11th and 12th homers of the season accounted for two of the five hits allowed by Teheran (2-6). He issued a walk and had eight strikeouts. A .053 hitter entering the game, Teheran was also 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Arodys Vizcaino, who blew the save and took the loss on Tuesday night in the Padres’ 4-3 walk-off win, picked up his seventh save in nine chances.

The top two hitters in the Atlanta batting order each had three hits. Ender Inciarte fell a home run short of a natural cycle and scored two runs. Chase d’Arnaud was 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and a run.

Padres starter Drew Pomeranz (5-6) took the loss.

The left-hander entered the game with a major league-leading .163 opponents’ batting average but gave up two runs and four hits in the first inning — higher totals than for six of his first 11 starts.

Inciarte and d’Arnaud opened the game with back-to-back singles, placing Braves at the corners with no one out. Inciarte scored on a sacrifice fly by Freddie Freeman. Back-to-back, one-out singles by Jeff Francoeur and Nick Markakis brought d’Arnaud around.

The Braves made it 3-0 in the top of the fourth when shortstop Daniel Castro singled with one out, advanced to second on a wild pitch by Pomeranz and scored on Teheran’s single.

Myers made it 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth when he homered on the first pitch in the inning to make it 3-1. The homer was the first hit off Teheran.

The Braves widened their lead to 4-1 in the top of the seventh against Brandon Maurer. Inciarte tripled with two outs and scored on a double by d’Arnaud. Maurer has allowed 12 runs and 12 hits in four innings in his last six outings.

Myers hit his second homer off Teheran in the bottom of the seventh to make it 4-2.

Notes: The Braves traded INF-OF Kelly Johnson to the Mets for minor league RHP Akeel Morris, who will join Double-A Binghamton. Johnson, who was hitting .215 in 49 games, was also traded from the Braves to the Mets last July only to return to Atlanta as a free agent in January. … The Braves placed RHP Williams Perez on the disabled list with a rotator cuff strain suffered Monday night in San Diego. … RHP John Gant was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. He had been optioned to Gwinnett on Monday when RHP Casey Kelly was recalled. With the Braves flying home after Wednesday’s game, Gant had never left San Diego. … Padres SS Alexei Ramirez went 0-for-3 to have his 10-game hitting streak snapped.

Associated Press

Inciarte, Teheran lead Braves to 4-2 win against Padres

By BERNIE WILSON (AP Sports Writer)

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- For one game at least, the Atlanta Braves didn't look like the worst team in the majors.

Ender Inciarte finished a home run shy of the cycle and scored twice, Julio Teheran backed himself with an RBI single and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 4-2 Wednesday to stop a six-game losing streak.

The Braves, who have the worst record in the majors at 17-42, denied the Padres what would have been their first series sweep this season.

Atlanta needed a boost after a ninth-inning collapse Tuesday night and the trade of utilityman Kelly Johnson to the New York Mets earlier in the day.

''To say he came up big would probably be an understatement for where we were bullpen-wise, position-player wise after the trade,'' interim manager Brian Snitker said. ''That couldn't have come at a better time.''

''Today we really, really needed him,'' Snitker said. ''It was almost like, I remember back in the day, 'Give me a couple of runs and I'll take you for a ride' type thing. It was important for us to get a win. It's good to get a win on the road trip. Obviously we would have liked to have more, but this was really huge.''

Atlanta was swept at the Los Angeles Dodgers before losing the first two against the Padres.

Teheran (2-6) allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings, struck out eight and walked one. Arodys Vizcaino, who took the loss Tuesday night, pitched the ninth for his seventh save in nine chances.

''The goal was to go as deep as I can and I'm glad I was able to go eight,'' Teheran said.

Padres manager Andy Green was impressed with Teheran.

''He's been successful all year long. I know his record doesn't indicate that but he's one of the better pitchers in the league,'' Green said.

Wil Myers homered twice for the Padres, last in the NL West at 25-36.

Batting leadoff, Inciarte singled and scored in the first, doubled in the second, struck out in the fourth and tripled and scored in the sixth.

Padres left fielder Melvin Upton Jr. made a leaping catch to rob Freddie Freeman of a home run leading off the fifth. On Thursday night, Freeman tripled off the top of the left-field wall but the Braves thought the ball went off a fan's glove and should have been ruled a home run. They appealed, but the call stood.

Atlanta took a 2-0 lead in the first against lefty Drew Pomeranz (5-6), who has developed into the Padres' best pitcher. Inciarte and Chase d'Armaud singled and Freeman hit a sacrifice fly. Nick Markakis hit a RBI single.

The Braves made it 3-0 in the fourth when Teheran helped his cause with an RBI single. It brought in Daniel Castro, who singled and advanced on a wild pitch.

Both of Myers' home runs were off Teheran. He homered an estimated 427 feet off the scoreboard on the facade of the second deck in left field leading off the fourth. Myers' second homer, estimated at 402 feet, hit off the second balcony on the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left field corner. They were his 11th and 12th.

''I'm seeing the ball well right now,'' Myers said. ''A lot of it has to do with what I'm working on with my load, just getting my foot in the air early. Right now I just want to keep riding that out as long as I can.''

Pomeranz allowed three runs and nine hits in five innings, struck out six and walked one.

UP NEXT

Braves: After a day off Thursday, RHP Bud Norris (1-7, 5.28) is scheduled to start the opener of a home series against the Chicago Cubs, who will counter with RHP Jason Hammel (7-1, 2.14)

Padres: After a day off, the Padres open a series at Colorado, with RHP Andrew Cashner (3-5, 4.78) scheduled to start against Jon Gray (4-2, 5.33), who beat the Padres 10-3 in San Diego on Sunday.

Mets reacquire Kelly Johnson from Braves

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Kelly Johnson is back with the New York Mets, who hope he can spark to a slumping team that had lost seven of 10 going into Wednesday night's game against Pittsburgh.

The Mets acquired the utilityman from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for right-hander Akeel Morris. Johnson is expected to join the team Friday night in Milwaukee.

As part of the deal, the Braves will pay the Mets $450,000 on Aug. 1 to cover part of the $1,267,760 remaining of Johnson's $2 million salary.

''A lot of people disregard the importance of the clubhouse, but I don't,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said. ''Kelly was a leader last year. He had some big hits and helped turn things around for us. He is a welcome addition.''

New York acquired Johnson from the Braves last July 24 and went on to win its first NL pennant since 2000. The Mets have scored just 24 runs in the last 10 games. They are missing third baseman David Wright (herniated neck disk), first baseman Lucas Duda (stress fracture in back) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (strained rotator cuff).

The 34-year-old Johnson was hitting .215 (26 for 121) with six doubles, one homer and 10 RBIs this season, starting 23 games at second, four in left and one at first. He was in his third stint with the Braves, who drafted him in 2000.

Johnson is likely to see most of his playing time at corner infield spots. Collins does not want to break up his first-year double-play combination of shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and second baseman Neil Walker.

''Kelly gives us more depth, and it's going to give me a chance to get guys some days off,'' Collins said. ''That's important. I think if we can get some guys a little rest, that it would give them a better chance of getting out of this slump and get going again.''

Morris, 23, made one relief appearance for the Mets last season in his major league debut. In 22 relief appearances with Double-A Binghamton, he was 2-2 with a 4.62 ERA.

Assistant general manager John Ricco said the Mets talked to Johnson on and off throughout the offseason about re-signing as a free agent.

''He's a player who helps us last year and gives us a lot of versatility,'' Ricco said. ''He wasn't quite a fit for us over the winter with the players we had, but we're in a position now where we feel he can come in and helps us give Terry some more options.''