going and coming
The Atlanta Braves placed two — only two? — players on mlb.com’s Top 100 prospects chart. Catcher Christian Bethancourt, who played for the Missisisppi Braves the past two seasons, was No. 82, and right-hander Lucas Sims, who might make it to Pearl this season, was No. 60. Perhaps this is a sign that the Braves’ farm system is in need of some rebuilding. Or maybe the talent in the system is just very young and off the radar for now. We shall see. We’ve likely seen the last of Bethancourt in Mississippi. After hitting .277 with 12 homers in 2013, he’ll go to spring training with a shot, at least, of earning the backup catcher job behind ex-M-Braves star Evan Gattis. Sims, Atlanta’s No. 1 pick out of an Atlanta-area high school in 2012, went 12-4 with a 2.62 ERA in low-A ball last season. With a good start at high-A Lynchburg, it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see him make it to Double-A before 2014 is done. Sims is also the top-rated Braves prospect on Baseball America’s list. P.S. Former Jackson Generals ace Freddy Garcia has re-signed with the Braves; he had some strong outings down the stretch and in the playoffs last season. … Ole Miss product Chris Coghlan officially signed with the Chicago Cubs and will go to spring training on a minor league deal. Coghlan, a former National League rookie of the year, hit .256 in 70 games for Miami in 2013.