A full six weeks into the 2013 season, a grand total of one player has made his major league debut this season for the Braves -- super sub Evan Gattis. And now, Cody Rasmus will make two.
Rasmus, called up to replace Eric O'Flahery in the rapidly evolving bullpen, is a likely candidate to throw during the current Twins series after earning the callup with a brilliant start to 2013; 1-1, 0.93, with only two earned runs in 19.1 innings, and seven saves. Drafted in the supplemental first rounf of 2006, Rasmus was literally considered a million dollar arm, signing for $900,000.
But the Columbus, Ga., native -- who represented Phenix City in the Little League World Series at age 11 -- pitched in only three professional games before major shoulder surgery caused him to miss the equivalent of more than two full seasons.
In fact, Rasmus pitched in only 13 games his first four professional seasons. He then suffered a further setback in 2011, when he pitched in only eight games due to an injury to his collarbone.
The breakthrough for Rasmus was his move to the bullpen in 2012. But the irony is that his only complete game in his pro career was a seven-inning no-hitter for Danville in 2009. The 13-0 win was led by a four-RBI performance from legendary Braves flash-in-the-pan Rhiann Spanjer-Furstenburg.
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Jose Constanza has long since left behind his .133 batting average on April 16. With time on the disabled list shortening the month, Constanza has hit in every game he's played since -- a 16-game streak that has lifted his average to .286.
CLASS AAA
Louisville 6, Gwinnett (17-30) 2
LP: Poveda (3-3) 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.
Cunningham 2-3, 2B, 3B, R, RBI, SB; Terdoslavich 1-4, 2B (19th); Constanza 1-4, R, SB.
CLASS AA
Jacksonville 5, Mississippi (27-18) 2
LP: Northcraft (1-3) 5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K. Harper (off DL!) 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R.
Salcedo 2-4, 2B, HR (5th), RBI; Brewer 1-4, 3B, R; Heffley 1-3, RBI.
ADVANCED CLASS A
Wilmington 4, Lynchburg (23-19) 3
LP: Holland (3-2) 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K..
Rohm 1-4, R, RBI; Lipka 1-4..
CLASS A
Augusta 7, Rome (23-19) 4
LP: Cabrera (1-3) 6 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 2 BB. 1 K. Wilson 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K.
Elander 3-4, 2B, R, RBI (.329); Anselment 1-4. 2B; Hyams 1-3, R (.327).