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Over at Outfield Fly Rule, we handed out our Minor League Awards.

4. Austin Riley, 3B, Gwinnett (Braves) Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht. 6-3. WT: 220. Drafted: HS—Southaven, Miss., 2015 (1s). Riley drew raves from just about every angle after arriving in the IL in early May from Double-A. A month off with a right knee injury didn’t derail his prospects. Riley’s plus power blossomed with eight August home runs, and what drew attention was his power to all fields. He goes particularly well to right-center field, and he hit for average as well as power with consistent hard contact. “He’s what they look like,” Norfolk manager Ron Johnson said. “The way the ball jumps off the bat.” Riley is well built and gives scouts reason to believe that he might be ready for the major leagues sooner than they might have expected coming out of high school. In addition to his offensive skills, Riley displayed improved defense at third base. His 10 errors on the season were a career low, and Gwinnett manager Damon Berryhill labeled Riley’s defense “outstanding.” *** 10. Touki Toussaint, RHP, Gwinnett (Braves) Age: 22. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-3. WT: 185. Drafted: HS—Coral Springs, Fla., 2014 (1/D-backs). Toussaint long had big stuff with a mid-90s fastball and hellacious curveball, but he didn’t have the control of them to be effective until this year. Toussaint shot from Double-A to Triple-A and to the majors once he locked in his control and was particularly dominant in the IL. He ranked second in the league in ERA (1.43) and opponent average (.193) during his time there, and spent September with the Braves as they chased a the NL East division title. Toussaint’s key was reducing walks, but even with his progress he still has room to grow in that arena. Another big key was the development of a new split-changeup, which his manager Damon Berryhill labeled a plus pitch.

Two Braves made Baseball America's Top 20 prospects of the International League. Gwinnett 3B Austin Riley was tabbed as the #4 prospect in the league while RHP Touki Toussaint was placed at #10. Two Charlotte Knights (White Sox) lead the list with OF Eloy Jimenez and RHP Michael Kopech. Rays prospect Willy Adames, the SS for the Durham Bulls, was #3.

He could, but I need to see him in a longer sample getting his walk rate down rate at least under 10%.

A man and a woman had a little baby...

Sure we can. We can blow the next three games, then both Atlanta and Philly win on Monday. But let's not. Now I'll have Schoolhouse Rock stuck in my head until I go to bed.

Here's my review of the Florida Fire Frogs.

I agree with all of these except CJ Alexander should have been the Rookie-level player over Cullen.

Here's my review of the Rome Braves.

Just over the next two seasons, Trout's contract could be worth as much as $153M in excess value. There's pretty much no way to offer fair market value for him without gutting the team. The article suggested Inciarte, Newcomb, Toussaint, Wright, Riley, and Anderson. That's a fair offer that under no circumstances should the Braves agree to.

Braves AFL contingent just got more impressive.

Because it's fun?

via Imgflip Meme Generator

Wouldn't mind seeing a Bobby Cox getaway day special line-up today. 1. Culberson SS 2. Ruiz 3B 3. Duvall LF 4. Duda 1B 5. Tucker RF 6. Adams CF 7. Flaherty 2B 8. Rivera C Just give everyone a physical and mental break, give the bench some ABs, then come out strong on Friday. It won't happen of course.

6.5 game lead folks.