anticipation in pearl

There was joy in Lynchburg, Va., this week — and hope that it might spread to Pearl next year. The Mississippi Braves missed out on the postseason in 2012 — for the fourth straight year — but there is reason to believe next year might be different. The Class A Lynchburg Hillcats, the M-Braves’ feeder club, won the Carolina League championship. And a good number of those players could be at Trustmark Park in 2013. Spots should be available. The team’s shortcomings (a 62-77 overall record) notwithstanding, the core of the 2012 M-Braves’ lineup likely will move to Triple-A. Catcher Christian Bethancourt, first baseman Joey Terdoslavich, second baseman Phil Gosselin, third baseman Joe Leonard and outfielder Todd Cunningham (a postseason Southern League All-Star) handled themselves well enough in Double-A to rate a promotion. Starting pitchers Sean Gilmartin (an SL All-Star), Zeke Spruill, Gary Moran (the league ERA champ) and David Hale are strong candidates for Triple-A Gwinnett’s 2013 opening day roster. The lead dog in the pack of players likely headed this way next spring is outfielder Matt Lipka, a first-round pick in 2010 and a top-rated prospect. He was injured much of this season (.271 in 51 games) and didn’t play in the Hillcats’ postseason run. He may have to play his way onto the Mississippi club in spring training, but he’ll get every opportunity. Other Hillcats alums to watch for in Pearl next year include: shortstop Nick Ahmed (.269, 40 stolen bases), second baseman Tommy La Stella (.302), first baseman Chris Garcia (.285, 11 homers), outfielder/DH Adam Milligan (.255, 15 homers), catcher Braeden Schlehuber (.270) and third baseman Edward Salcedo (17 homers, 23 steals). Milligan and Schlehuber already have some Double-A time. The top starting pitchers at Lynchburg were Gary Schlosser (13 wins, 3.38 ERA), Cody Martin (12 wins), Aaron Northcraft (10 wins) and J.R. Graham, who was 9-1 for the Hillcats before moving to Mississippi, where he also impressed. The hard-throwing Graham could be the M-Braves’ ace in 2013. Power-hitting catcher/outfielder Evan Gattis, who missed a big chunk of 2012 with an injury, and outfielder Keenan Wiley should be back in the M-Braves’ fold next year, lending some needed experience to what projects as a young lineup. If the ex-Hillcats bring their championship chemistry with them … well, sure, next year might be different.