prospect sighting

The Mississippi Braves — and the Atlanta minor league system — needed a young shortstop with a high ceiling, and they may have landed one: Tyler Pastornicky. Acquired from Toronto in the Yunel Escobar deal, Pastornicky made his M-Braves debut on Friday night at Huntsville and got a pair of hits. Luis Bolivar is a capable shortstop, sure, but he’s 29 years old. Pastornicky, only 20, a fifth-round pick in 2008, has a future in the system. He’s small at 5 feet 11, 170 pounds, but he showed some pop at Class A Dunedin, hitting six homers in 77 games this season. And he figures to get stronger. He’s a .264 career hitter and a good glove man from all indications. Plus, his dad, Cliff, played in the big leagues with Kansas City. Tyler’s progress will be interesting to watch over the rest of the summer at Trustmark Park.
P.S. If you get a chance, check out the Hattiesburg Black Sox team playing in the state semi-pro tournament at Smith-Wills Stadium this weekend. The Black Sox are loaded with talent, including former pros Tony Phillips, Tootie Myers and Walter Young. They play at 4 p.m. today in a winners bracket game.