movin’ on up

If you didn’t get out to Trustmark Park this summer to see Tyler Pastornicky, well, you missed your chance. The young shortstop was promoted from the Double-A Mississippi Braves to Triple-A Gwinnett today. Don’t expect to see him in Pearl again. Pastornicky, rated Atlanta’s No. 14 prospect heading into this season, was hitting .299 with six homers and 36 RBIs for the M-Braves. He had 20 stolen bases and five triples, plus he only struck out 30 times in 355 at-bats. His defense was solid; his arm looked strong. His father, Cliff, played in The Show, so baseball is thick in his blood. He reminds one of a slightly larger version of David Eckstein. Considering the struggles veteran Alex Gonzalez has had at the plate this season in Atlanta, Braves brass, thinking of 2012 if not this season, is surely eager to see how Pastornicky fares against the more savvy pitching he’ll encounter in Triple-A. His future looks bright.
P.S. Tee Relaford, the highly touted shortstop at Hinds Community College, has signed with the San Francisco Giants. Relaford, from Georgia, hit .280 for the Eagles and reportedly stood out with his glove. The Giants drafted him in the 44th round.