another look

Last day of the year seems like a good time to take another look ahead at how the Mississippi Braves’ lineup for 2011 might shape up. With Cody Johnson (traded) out of the picture, left field opens up, possibly for another fallen prospect, Jordan Schafer, whose 2010 season was wrecked by injuries. Put speedy L.V. Ware in center, where he finished up with the M-Braves last summer. Fast-rising Cory Harrilchak, who got high marks in Baseball America’s Atlanta organizational ratings, could be the right fielder. If Mauro Gomez (16 homers in Pearl in 2010) doesn’t make the Triple-A club, he’ll be back at first base. Or Michael Jones (.282, 5 homers, 47 RBIs at Class A Myrtle Beach) might break through. Cole Miles, who got a brief tour with the M-Braves in 2010, is a logical candidate at second base. Tyler Pastornicky, possibly Atlanta’s shortstop of the future, likely will be back at that spot for the 2011 M-Braves. He’s one to watch. Third base is tougher to peg. Donell Linares might return for a second season, or Mycal Jones could fit in there. Jones also played briefly in Pearl last year. Another candidate could be free agent signee Shawn Bowman, who hit 22 homers in Double-A last year. Catching duties may go to Jesus Sucre and Shawn McGill, both of whom spent time in Pearl in 2010. Sucre quietly hit .297 in 38 games. The pitching might be very good. Eight of the Braves’ top 10 prospects as picked by Baseball America are pitchers, and as many as five of those could play in Pearl in 2011. That group includes Julio Teheran (the No. 1 prospect), Randall Delgado (No. 3) and Arodys Vizcaino (No. 7), all starters. Teheran and Delgado showed flashes of brilliance for the M-Braves last summer.