They are 9.5 behind the Nats and 7.5 behind in wild card.

Braves are up to .500 with the win yesterday. Lots of rumors surrounding the team, some have them as buyers and some have them as sellers. While I'm pleased with the record compared to expectations, I still think we should try to trade away some of our contracts and work towards next season. Work in more of the young players the back half of the year.

Some prospect notes:

Acuna now ranked as the #10 prospect in all of baseball and has been promoted to AAA at only 19. He joins Albies in AAA who is only 20 himself.

Maitan and Waters both promoted recently to Danville. Both were playing well in the GCL.

Allard, Gohara, and Soroka all playing well as 19 year olds in AA Mississippi. Austin Riley was recently promoted to AA as well.

Braves had 7 of Keith Law's top 50 list. Acuna (9), Allard (26), Albies (32), Wright (35), Gohara (39), Anderson (41), Soroka (49). He noted that Maitan was in the next tier.

Some other names to watch still in the lower levels of the minors: C Abraham Gutierrez (17) .278/.325/.389 but has thrown out 6 of 12 base stealers, SS Yunior Severino (17) .273/.379/.420, 3B Jean Carlos Encarnacion (19) .361/.391/.557, C William Contreras (19) .356/.451/.542 plus 0 errors and only 1 PB on the year.

Braves swept by Cubs. We will see soon if they decide to sell or stand as they are now.

Braves close to trading Jamie Garcia to the Twins. Unsure of what the return is right now. Aaron Blair would be called up to take his start tomorrow.

Trade of Garcia to the Twins is official. 21 year old RHP lotto ticket in return.

ugh

Correction he is only 19 years old. Low 90's fastball, good change up, still developing curve.

Swanson being sent down to AAA along with Blair. Hope he can get things figured out.

Lucas Sims called up to start tomorrow.

Braves sit tight at trade deadline.

Ozzie Albies called up and will debut tonight.

I'm not sure how I feel about a guy born in 1997 playing in the majors.

That's not true. I feel old.

Albies first career hit was a three run HR.

Markakis also picked up career hit number 2000.

Braves dealt Sean Rodriguez to the Pirates today for a minor league 3B.

Max Fried called up to the bigs as well.

Top 100

Braves have 10 players on latest Fangraphs top 100 list.

AJ Minter getting called up!

Looks like Acuna will be picking up some minor league player of the year honors. Well deserved.

Acuna named Baseball America Minor League Player of the year.

Quote:

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Acua hit .325/.374/.522 in 139 games as he managed a 20/40 season while leading the minor leagues in base hits and winning a Triple Crown within the Braves organization. He hit 21 homers while stealing 44 bases across three levels in Florida, Mississippi, and Gwinnett, while reaching Triple A at the age of just 19. Acua also had 31 doubles and eight triples in his breakout season.

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