SP Mike Minor vs. Sand Gnats Saturday

Atlanta Braves first-round pick Mike Minor is scheduled to start Saturday night’s game for the Rome Braves when they visit the Savannah Sand Gnats at 7 p.m. Minor was taken with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft out of Vanderbilt. Minor, 21, was a three-year starter at Vanderbilt before the Braves picked him in the first round. The Tennessee native posted a career record of 22-10 with the Commodores in three seasons and ranks fourth best in the school’s history with his 303 career strikeouts. In his junior year, Minor went 6-6 with a 3.09 ERA and had three complete games in his last five starts. Saturday night’s start with Rome will be his third of the season and his second against the Gnats. He made his pro debut at home versus the Charleston RiverDogs on August 20 and threw two innings before the game was postponed due to rain. Minor threw four days later against the Gnats and allowed two hits in three innings while striking out a pair. The start on Saturday will also be his first on the road. Once the 2009 season ends, Minor will join the Peoria Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League where he will continue to develop. The Fall League is a stepping stone for highly touted prospects along with Double and Triple-A players to hone their skills as they progress toward the Major Leagues.