Affiliate: Atlanta Braves
Years in IL: 53
2002 Finish: 75-67, second in South (-4.0)
Manager: Pat Kelly (1st year) Career - 15 yrs. 971-1,028
Coaches: Guy Hansen (4th year); Rick Albert (1st year)
Stadium: The Diamond (12,134)
Projected Starters: 1B - Mike Hessman; 2B -Nick Green; 3B - Wilson Betemit; SS - Ramon Castro; C - Johnny Estrada; DH - Travis Wilson/Stubby Clapp; LF - Damon Hollins; CF - Donzell McDonald; RF - Bo Porter
Key Pitchers: Starters - RH Trey Hodges, LH Andy Pratt, RH John Ennis, RH Chris Fussell, RH Ryan Glynn. Relievers - RH Jamie Arnold, RH Jamie Emiliano, RH Derrick Lewis, RH Buddy Hernandez, LH Bobby Jones, RH Kazuhiro Takeoka, RH Billy Sylvester
Top Prospects: Making second tour of duty with Richmond, SS Wilson Betemit batted .245-8-34 during his injury-plagued 2002 campaign. Atlanta's top position prospect, the 21-year-old Betemit projects as a 20/20 shortstop in the major leagues and has a career .284 average through six professional seasons...The IL's winningest pitcher in 2002, RH Trey Hodges posted a 15-9 mark and 3.19 ERA for Richmond. He followed up his successful performance with the R-Braves by going 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA in four outings with Atlanta. A right-hander who relies on changing speeds, Hodges has won 30 games in the minors over the last two seasons...LHP Andy Pratt joined Richmond in August of 2002 and quickly turned heads by firing a complete game 1-0 shutout at Durham August 12. The left-hander struck out 13 Bulls and earned IL pitcher of the week honors for his effort. Obtained by Atlanta in a trade with Texas last April, Pratt pitched exceptionally well in winter ball and will help anchor the Richmond rotation.
Other Organizational Prospects: RHP Matt Belisle, LHP Jung Bong, RHP Horacio Ramirez, LHP Ray Aguilar, 1B Adam LaRoche
Veterans to Watch: As evidenced by his seven consecutive seasons with 20+ steals, OF Donzell McDonald possesses blazing speed and will provide the R-Braves with an outstanding presence at the top of the lineup. A member of the Triple-A Omaha club in 2002, he hit at a .261 clip while registering 15 triples and 30 steals...A holdover from 2002, OF Bo Porter served as one of the Braves' team leaders a year ago. A .296 hitter, he drove in 52 runs in 392 at-bats with Richmond. Bo hit the ball particularly well at The Diamond, where he batted .325...2B Stubby Clapp was a beloved fixture the last four seasons in Memphis. Capable of playing second and in the outfield, he saw action in 23 games with St. Louis in 2001 and responded with a .200 average. Clapp enjoyed his finest season in Memphis that summer when he hit .304-5-33 in 86 games with the Redbirds.
Items of Interest: Opening Day 2003 will be Manager Pat Kelly's 2,000th game in the dugout. The R-Braves' first-year skipper brings a 971-1028 record to Richmond. Rick Albert, Guy Hansen, and trainer Jay Williams will join him on the Richmond staff...The 2002 season marked the Richmond Braves' first winning campaign since 1995. Under the guidance of Fredi Gonzalez, the 2002 R-Braves posted a 75-67 record.
Strengths of the Club: For the first time in recent memory the Richmond Braves will have speed. Outfielders McDonald, Porter, and Glenn Barker are each speed merchants who could ring-up extra-base hits given The Diamond's expansive dimensions. Infielders Garcia and Betemit also possess good speed, providing Kelly with additional weapons...The Braves will again field an outstanding defensive club, particularly in the outfield where Hollins and Porter will man the corners with McDonald in center...Catcher Johnny Estrada, a member of the 2002 IL All-Star Team while with Scranton/WB, will be behind the plate with Mike Hubbard serving as his back-up. Each backstop has an above-average bat and could provide the club with solid production at the catcher spot.
Weaknesses of the Club: The pitching rotation will be a little green with two members (John Ennis and Andy Pratt) having just six Triple-A starts between them. Additionally, the bullpen may have just one left-hander (Bobby Jones)...While this Richmond club has tremendous speed, it lacks power outside of corner infielder Mike Hessman.
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