Empire State Braves Prospects: 5/31/11

The 2011 Amateur Draft kicks off in exactly one week. While no New Yorkers are projected to go in the first round, there are still a number of potential prospects who are likely to be drafted in later rounds (Nick Tropeano?)..hopefully Atlanta snags a few. But while the Braves put the final touches on their drafts plans, here's how the current Empire State Braves prospects performed over the past week (5/24-5/30)....

Courtesy: milb.com, ualbanysports.com

Anthony Varvaro, RHP (Triple A - Gwinnett)
After two scoreless appearances this past week, Varvaro is quietly putting together a pretty effective season out of the Gwinnett bullpen. The righty-reliever has slowly but consistently improved his walk rate this year and if he wasn't behind a number of quality arms in the Atlanta organization, he might be looking at some major league play some time later this season.

This Week: 2 G (0-0), 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 K, 0 BB
Season: 16 G (0-5), 24.1 IP, 3.33 ERA, 26 K, 16 BB

Dan Jurik, RHP (High A - Lynchburg)
The Vestal, NY-native made his first start of the season this past week and made the most of it, surrendering just one run. That run was on a solo homer, the third Jurik has given up this year. Those three long balls happen to be the only runs he's been tagged for this season. Jurik's start was one half of the day's double-header, so it will be interesting to see if it was simply a spot start or if he'll now see some extended time in the Lynchburg rotation.

This Week: 1 G (0-0), 4 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 HR, 2 K, 3 BB
Season (Rome/Lynchburg): 8 G (0-0), 1 SV, 17.2 IP, 1.53 ERA, 18 K, 6 BB

Dave Filak, RHP (Low A - Rome)
Filak's 2011 struggles continued this past week. While a poor defensive effort by Rome helped lead to 4 unearned runs, Filak allowed 11 base runners over just 4 innings. As his walk rate improves, his hit rate goes up. For someone who was a consensus top-25 prospect in the (pitching stocked) Atlanta organization going into this season, you would have really hoped to see much better numbers from Filak at this point.

This Week: 1 G (0-0), 4 IP, 7 R (3 ER), 8 H, 3 K, 3 BB
Season: 9 G (2-3), 37 IP, 6.81 ERA, 28 K, 27 BB

Cory Brownsten, C (Low A - Rome)
Brownsten remains on the DL with a left oblique strain.

This Week: DNP
Season: 3 G, .182/.250/.273, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Brendan Rowland, C/OF (Gulf Coast League)

Season Has Not Yet Begun