we have a lineup
Mississippi Braves manager Aaron Holbert unveiled his probable opening day lineup today, and, as is typical, there are a lot of bright spots and some gray areas. Matt Lipka, rated the “best athlete” in Atlanta’s minor league system by Baseball America, will lead off and play center field in his Double-A debut. Emerson Landoni, who batted .325 in a taste of Double-A last summer, hits second and plays second base. Kyle Kubitza hits third and plays third; he has the “best infield arm” in the system and hit 12 homers at Class A Lynchburg in 2013. Organization newcomer Seth Loman, 28 and checking in at 6 feet 4, 245 pounds, bats cleanup and plays first base. He hit 14 bombs at a couple of levels last year. David Rohm (.302, 50 RBIs at Lynchburg) bats fifth and plays right field. In left and batting sixth is returnee Robby Hefflinger, the organization’s top power prospect. He hit 21 homers at Lynchburg and six for the M-Braves but batted just .170 at the Double-A level. Braeden Schlehuber (.199) returns at catcher and bats seventh, and organization newcomer Gustavo Nunez will bat eighth and play shortstop (until prospect Elmer Reyes recovers from an oblique injury). … The bench includes veteran catcher Matt Kennelly, jack-of-all-trades Barrett Kleinknecht (eight homers for Mississippi in 2013), 2012 M-Braves standout Joe Leonard (who slumped at Triple-A Gwinnett last season) and system newcomer Cedric Hunter, a 26-year-old outfielder who batted .295 with 12 homers at Double-A Akron. … The pitching staff is headed by top 10 prospects J.R. Graham and Jason Hursh (Atlanta’s top draft pick last June) in the rotation and Ryne Harper, who had six wins and 11 saves for the M-Braves last year, in the bullpen. Holbert said he likes the pitching — and pitching is always key at spacious Trustmark Park. “If we catch the ball and play defense, get some timely hitting … that’s what wins,” the third-year manager said. … Rehabbing big leaguer and former M-Brave Mike Minor is slated to start Thursday’s opener against Mobile. It has not been announced how many starts he’ll make for the M-Braves.