Braves Announce Three Current and Three Former Hillcats to the AZL
Published on August 29, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Lynchburg, VA- The Lynchburg Hillcats will be well represented in the Arizona Fall League beginning in October. The Atlanta Braves have announced that current Hillcats shortstop Nick Ahmed, third baseman Edward Salcedo and RHP Gus Schlosser will join three former Hillcats, LHP Ryan Buchter, RHP Cory Rasmus and RHP Zeke Spruill, on the Phoenix Desert Dogs. Catcher Matt Kennelly is the only Braves selection to not play for the Hillcats in his career.
This group of youngsters that includes three prospects rated in Baseball America's top 15, will be headed by the AA Mississippi Braves own manager, Aaron Holbert.
Salcedo headlines the names in this grouping. The sixth-rated prospect recieved a record bonus from the Braves back in 2010. Salcedo's $1.6 million was the largest bonus given by the organization to an International Free Agent. Currently, Salecdo is leading the team with 14 homer runs--a career-high--this season.
Ahmed is the 15th-best prospect in the organization according to Baseball America. This Carolina League All-Star--and former second round pick-- is in the league's top five in games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, runs and stolen bases.
Schlosser wasn't a rated prospect, but that has a great possibility to change after this season. Although Schlosser didn't start a game in his first season as a pro, it has been an amazing season for this 23-year-old. He paces the league in wins (13) and is in the top five in starts, strikeouts, innings pitched, WHIP and BAA.
Spruill is a former Hillcat like the three above. Last season he was ranked as the 11th-best prospect in the Carolina League. This season in AA Mississippi, Spruill is one win shy of tying his career-high of 10 wins. He also is 9th in the Southern League with a 3.69 ERA and leads the league with 158.2 innings pitched.
Rasmus struggled last season with Lynchburg in a starting role, but after being promoted to Mississippi and moved to the bullpen, the former 38th overall pick in the 2006 draft has had a resurgent year. Rasmus is tied for the team lead in appearances with 48 and is tops among relievers with 60 strikeouts in just over 56 innings.
Buchter's season in Lynchburg was his first in the Braves organization. It was a "get to know you" year and the Braves did exactly that. After posting 49 whiffs in 42 innings, Buchter got the bump to AA. This season Buchter posted a miniscule 1.31 ERA in 35 games with the M-Braves. He also fanned 50 in his 41 innings before being promoted to AAA Gwinnett.
Kennelly is not on many people's radar, however, the Australian native was once a rated prospect. In his seventh season in the organization, Kennelly, is just 23-years-old. Because of various injuries to the highly-touted prospect, Christian Bethancourt, Kennelly has received much more playing and has made the most of those opportunities. He is on the brink of tying nearly every career-high in every offensive category.
Don't forget that Hillcats playoff tickets are available at www.lynchburg-hillcats.com or by calling (434)-528-1144. The 'Cats are in action tonight in Winston-Salem with the Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg going on the air at 5:40pm. Listen live to all the action on 105.5 FM KD Country and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com with Erik Wilson.
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