keeping watch

There are 29 Mississippi Braves alumni in camp with the Atlanta Braves — 22 on the 40-man roster and seven others there as official non-roster invitees. Among the 29 are several who haven’t yet played in a major league game, including Matt Young, Erik Cordier, Cory Gearrin and Mycal Jones. The next M-Braves alum to crash The Show will be the 49th to do so since the Double-A club moved to Pearl in 2005. Of course, the next one might not currently be in Atlanta’s camp. Left-hander Scott Diamond, a Rule 5 pick by Minnesota in December, might have a real shot at making the Twins’ club out of spring training. He showed good stuff and poise during his time in Mississippi. And then there’s this darkhorse candidate: outfielder Yasser Gomez. The Cuban defector, signed by Atlanta last year, played 38 games for the M-Braves in 2010. Batting leadoff at times (mostly after Antoan Richardson’s late promotion) and playing left field, the 30-year-old Gomez hit .323 with three doubles and nine RBIs. He’s solid in the field, runs well and knows how to play the game. He was a star in his native country, and you could tell when you watched him. There’s a fair chance Atlanta will be looking for a left fielder and possibly a leadoff batter, as well, early on this season. Gomez, who should get into some big league spring games, might get an opportunity in the ATL. It’s something to watch for.