The AFL has been described as a "finishing school" for prospects, but that seems to imply that graduates are ready for the majors - which is usually not true. So I tend to think of it more as like a standardized test. If you perform well, then you may just get to skip a grade. But performing badly doesn't cause you to go back a level and in many cases, it doesn't even keep you from being promoted.

I also have the same theory about spring training and a player's first season in the minors. Which possibly demonstrates a lack of creativity on my part...

After having played in 6 games, Richard (sometimes Richie) Lewis is aceing his test so far. He's 2nd in the league in both average (.520) and OBP (.571), and he should be in the top 10 or so in SLG (.720).

Kelly Johnson is having similar success: .429/.500/.786 in his first 14 ABs.

Adam Stern, who's splitting time with some very talented OFs, is off to a slower (though maybe more realistic) start, batting .292/.346/.375.

Relievers Kevin Barry (0.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 3 games) and Alec Zumwalt (1.35 ERA and 1.20 WHIP) are also cruising along.

Brett Evert has given up some runs (4.15 ERA), but he's struck out 12 batters in 8.2 innings and and issued just 2 walks.

Baseball America has ranked Andy Marte as the #1 3B prospect this year. Wilson Betemit came in at #19. And, as no surprise to regular readers, James Jurries was listed as a sleeper.

 
Day 2 of the AFL:

The Solar Sox got thrashed 11-5.

Brett Evert pitched 2.2 innings of relief and allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts.

Kevin Barry faced the minimum in the 9th inning and walked one batter.

Today is an off-day.

 
Baseball America's top 20 International League prospects included just one Brave. Adam LaRoche, who was ranked 12th in the Southern League, came in 6th after his AAA duties. One manager noted that talent overall in the IL was down this year.

 
Does this thing still work? Hmm, I guess so.

I'm back. I got really tired of sitting in that hammock in the Florida sun and just couldn't want to get back to the blog...

Those pesky recaps are coming. Any month now.

I'd talk about the NLDS, but you'll get much better coverage at sites like Braves Journal and No Pepper. I'll let those experts fill you in.

The only minor-league action going on is the Arizona Fall League. (I'm trusting that MLB's website will eventually realize that the league has started.)

The Braves contingent (Kevin Barry, Brett Evert, Alec Zumwalt, Kelly Johnson, Richard Lewis and Adam Stern) are playing for the mighty Mesa Solar Sox. It's a balmy 102 degrees in Mesa today, so be glad you're wherever you are.

Baseball America will carry the previous day's boxscores, and I'll chime in every so often with a note on the progress of the youngsters.

Yesterday, Richard Lewis went 3-for-4 with a HR and a SB. Adam Stern and Kelly Johnson each went 1-for-5. Alec Zumwalt pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 3.

Since I've been away, BA has been publishing their top 20 prospects in each league as voted on by scouts and managers. Here's the rundown:

Gulf Coast League
2. Jake Stevens
3. Jarrod Saltalamacchia
10. Steve Doetsch
13. Jo Jo Reyes
19. Paul Bacot

Appalachian League
6. Chuck James
8. Matt Esquivel
14. Charlie Morton

South Atlantic League
4. Jeff Francoeur
17. Anthony Lerew
18. Dan Meyer
20. Brian McCann

Carolina League
3. Andy Marte
8. Dan Meyer
11. Macay McBride

Southern League
12. Adam LaRoche
13. Adam Wainwright
17. Bubba Nelson

The International League Top 20 comes out tomorrow.