Braves promote Gattis to Double-A

The Braves will promote catcher Evan Gattis to Double-A Mississippi.

Evan Gattis probably knew he didn't need to spend another day in the Carolina League. The Braves made sure Sunday was his final one with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

The Braves will promote Gattis Monday to Double-A Mississippi. The move will come after he had two hits Sunday in Lynchburg's win over Frederick. Gattis drove in two runs and will leave the Carolina League with 29 runs batted in.

Gattis led the CL in most offensive categories. He had 9 home runs, a .385 batting average, a .468 on base percentage, 7 doubles and 30 hits in 21 games.

The Braves had Gattis, who is mainly a catcher, playing in left field last week. They've hinted they may try him at first base as well to expand their options. Christian Bethancourt, another top prospect, is the starting catcher for Mississippi.

Gattis will join a Mississippi team in dire need of power in its lineup. The M-Braves have only four home runs this season, with three by Ian Gac. Adam Milligan hit the fourth home run for Mississippi on Sunday.

Gattis hit .322 with 22 home runs and 71 RBI in Low-A Rome last season.

David O'Brien of the AJC wrote a great article this spring which detailed Gattis' past. We also interviewed Evan in March. -- Listen to Audio.



Bill Shanks hosts The Bill Shanks Show on WPLA Fox Sports 1670 in Macon, GA, WHAL Fox Sports 1460 in Columbus, GA and WCOH Fox Sports 1400 in Newnan, GA. Shanks is a columnist for The Macon Telegraph. Email Bill at and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/billshanks.