Braves Farm Report: A Look at Single-A Affiliate Rome

After more than a month of games, the Rome Braves are still in single-digit wins, and they are in last place in the entire South Atlantic League. 

The Atlanta Braves’ Low-A affiliate started 2012 with the return of its former manager Randy Ingle, who had been away for only a year after being replaced by Matt Walbeck for the 2011 season.  Walbeck was fired in July of last year after posting one of the worst records in all of Minor League Baseball.

This season hasn't been much better for Rome, as the Braves currently have a pathetic record of 6-25, which is still one of the worst in all of professional baseball. 

Currently, Rome has seven position players batting under .200 with only five better than .250 on the season, and with only two pitchers on the roster with under a 3.00 ERA, it’s not difficult to see why the Braves are losing a lot of games.

There have been a few bright spots for Rome, however.  Pitcher David Falik’s ERA is at 1.77 through 35.2 innings with 45 strikeouts.  Even with a losing 1-2 record, he leads the entire staff in most other key stats.

On the offensive side, the silver lining would be outfielder Chase Larsson, who has a respectable .303 average and an OBP of .429, leading the team in both categories.  Larsson, however, has only had 33 at bats, playing mostly from the bench. 

After dropping nine in a row, Rome will start a four-game homestand versus the Asheville Tourists, who are currently in third place in the Southern Division with a 19-13 record. 

Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday (May 10) at 10:00 a.m. at State Mutual Stadium in Rome.