BravesCenter Minor League Awards

BravesCenter honors the top players in the Braves' organization for the 2005 season.

Player of the Year:
BRAVES’ SYSTEM: Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Outstanding season for the 20-year old switch-hitting catcher.
RICHMOND: James Jurries - The guy can hit, and he continues to prove that. Will he ever get his chance?
MISSISSIPPI: Scott Thorman - Thorman returned to AA and performed very well. Then he went to AAA and continued his good work.
MYRTLE BEACH: Jarrod Saltalamacchia - How good will this kid be in two years? He could be another Mike Piazza.
ROME: Clint Sammons - Just what the Braves knew he would be: a great defensive catcher with good hitting ability.
DANVILLE: Eric Campbell - He'll probably be the Player of the Year in the Appalachian League. A great second season.
GCL: Elvis Andrus - The legend began this season and will take him a long way. He just turned 17 years old.

Pitcher of the Year:
BRAVES’ SYSTEM: Chuck James - His career ERA is now 2.04 in 343.2 innings. How dominant can one pitcher be?
RICHMOND: Kevin Barry - Richmond lost a lot of pitchers, and Barry was tied with two others for the lead in wins with five.
MISSISSIPPI: Chuck James - No matter the competition, James just continues to excel at a high level.
MYRTLE BEACH: Brady Endl - He was dominant early on before separating his non-throwing shoulder. He'll be back.
ROME: Matt Harrison - The left-handed Millwood was dominant. Can he avoid what happened to Jake Stevens?
DANVILLE: Jairo Cuevas - The Appy League Pitcher of the Year helped Danville get to the playoffs. He's very good.
GCL: Beau Jones - Roy Clark thought he was the best prep lefty in the draft in June, and we found out why.

Most Improved Player:
BRAVES' SYSTEM: Asher Demme - He had a career ERA of 8.20 in two GCL seasons before turning it around this year.
RICHMOND: Kevin Barry - His season was lost until he went to AA to work with pitching coach Kent Willis. Thanks Kent.
MISSISSIPPI: Paul Bush - His numbers were great, and he's starting to get attention as a decent prospect.
MYRTLE BEACH: Brady Endl - He was just another lefty in Danville last season, but has become a real prospect.
ROME: James Parr - They compared him to Kyle Davies when he was drafted. In 2-3 years, he might be joining Davies in Atlanta.
DANVILLE: Asher Demme - All of his numbers were dramatically better in 2005. How well will he do in Rome next season?

Comeback Player of the Year:
BRAVES' SYSTEM: Chris Waters - Gone for a year with shoulder surgery, Waters is now right back in the picture.
MYRTLE BEACH: Chris Waters - If the Braves need a lefty in the bullpen next season, don't forget about him.
ROME: Stephen Russell - Battling back from Tommy John surgery, Russell showed signs of getting back in line.
DANVILLE: Jo Jo Reyes - Also a TJ patient, he was impressive in Danville. Has he regained his top prospect status?

FIRST TEAM ALL BRAVES MINOR LEAGUERS
1B: Scott Thorman
2B: Martin Prado
SS: Yunel Escobar
3B: Eric Campbell
OF: Josh Burrus
OF: Matt Esquivel
OF: James Jurries
C: Jarrod Saltalmacchia
SP: Chuck James
SP: Matt Harrison
SP: James Parr
SP: Anthony Lerew
SP: Brady Endl
RP: Dan Smith
MGR: Tie: Pat Kelly, Brian Snitker, Randy Ingle, Rocket Wheeler - In the same positions for the last three seasons, all four of these guys deserve credit for getting the players ready for Atlanta.

SECOND TEAM:
1B: Manny Rodriguez
2B: Ovandy Suero
SS: Elvis Andrus
3B: Andy Marte
OF: Matt Young
OF: Jon Mark Owings
OF: Carl Loadenthal
C: Clint Sammons
SP: Kevin Barry
SP: Sean White
SP: Kelvin Villa
SP: Jairo Cuevas
SP: Brian O’Connor
RP: Joey Devine