Weekly Preview (June 29-July 4): Revisiting Augusta's SRP Park Fan Guide
This week in minor league baseball covers the July 4 weekend, which is one of the big draws of the season for teams. This year, Augusta is the lone Braves affiliate with a home series for the weekend.
One of the quirks of Augusta’s scheduling is that they often have July 4 at home. They’re always on the road to start the season and lose that opening day draw (for a normal season that begins in April). The reason is Masters Week falls at the same time as the minor league opener and envelops everything that is Augusta, so the local baseball team hits the road (along with many locals who rent out their houses).
Being the lone Braves affiliate at home on the holiday weekend, the GreenJackets have a good opportunity to draw some fans who may not otherwise plan a trip to Augusta’s ballpark. If you have thoughts of attending games at SRP Park this week or weekend, here’s a refresher from a post I wrote in December 2020 when the team was announced as the newest affiliate:
SRP Park is on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River in North Augusta, sitting on the banks of the river with downtown Augusta on the other side. The main bridge linking the two sides is just beyond the batter’s eye in center field, and the river runs just beyond right field.
The field was cut out with San Francisco’s park in mind, because the GreenJackets were still affiliated with the Giants at the time. Left and right fields are straightforward, center is fairly neutral and right-center is deep. The wind is blocked in left by a large building comprising the team clubhouses, business space and apartments. The wind will blow in or out in right, but it takes a shot to get out regardless, especially as you get deeper into right-center. The hardest-hit ball I’ve seen at the park so far came from Drew Waters, who barreled it at 111 mph and drove it on a line over the right field fence, bouncing down the river bank to the water.
There is one lower bowl of seating ranging from padded seats and tables behind home plate (typically season ticket holders) to normal field level seating to a grass berm in the left field corner. The upper level contains indoor/outdoor suites that companies typically purchase. The concourse runs 360 degrees around the field so fans can watch the game from literally every angle if they want to walk or stand. There’s a second level in right field where fans can stand with a beer to watch the game from above, with views of the river and downtown Augusta behind them.
The GreenJackets have implemented local and regional favorites in their food and beer selections. Aside from the typical ballpark concessions, they mix in pimento cheese and barbecue in different ways. SweetWater has a heavy presence along with other regional favorites. An attached barbecue restaurant in the right field corner has two levels with an upstairs bar and tons of SweetWater choices. Southbound Smokehouse is a personal favorite of mine and is recommended. Also, the team did a great job on its rebranding when it moved into the new park. The store at the park is roomy and has a good selection.
Outside, the surrounding development includes a good restaurant with outdoor seating and an upscale restaurant inside the Crowne Plaza next door. The hotel also has a rooftop bar with great views. Otherwise, the development is largely home to apartments. If you’re looking to kill time before a game and don’t want to eat or drink, the development is walkable with a path by the river and an amphitheater. There are garages for parking. Traffic in and out of the development is a breeze on slow nights, but bring a little patience on packed weekends if you’re trying to get out immediately after a game.
Outside the development, North Augusta is largely residential. To find places to eat and drink, your best bet is across the river. Downtown Augusta has several good places to do both. There are notable spots sprinkled around Augusta, too, if you do your research.
The GreenJackets did an outstanding job of planning the ballpark and surrounding development. I know how much effort it took just to see it come to fruition, and I’m proud and happy for them that it worked out so well.
If you’re a Braves fan or just a baseball fan who is able to but hasn’t made the trip to the park yet, I highly recommend doing so. Not only will you now get to see Braves prospects, but the park itself is worth the drive. The facility is a valuable addition to Atlanta’s system for its development purposes and for fans.
Schedule
Triple-A Gwinnett
June 29-July 4: at Durham (Rays)
June 29-July 3 at 6:35 p.m., July 4 at 6:05
Double-A Mississippi
June 29-July 4: at Montgomery (Rays)
June 29-July 2 at 7:35 p.m. ET, July 3-4 at 7:05
High-A Rome
June 29-July 4: at Wilmington (Nationals)
June 29-July 3 at 7:05 p.m., July 4 at 1:05
Low-A Augusta
June 29-July 4: vs. Columbia (Royals)
June 29-July July 2 at 7:05 p.m., July 3-4 at 6:35
Prospects to Watch This Week
At Triple-A Gwinnett, Cristian Pache has one hit and two walks in his past 14 at-bats, but he put together some good swings in the series finale Sunday at Norfolk. It’s worth watching to see if Pache can get out of the performance funk soon, but the swing has been fairly steady. At Double-A Mississippi, Braden Shewmake continues to rake, picking up six hits in his past five games, including two doubles, a triple, two walks, four RBI and a stolen base. At High-A Rome, Michael Harris has started to pick things up again, recording seven hits in his past six games, including two doubles, a homer, one walk, seven RBI and two stolen bases. At Low-A Augusta, Bryson Horne isn’t on my prospect list, but he deserves credit for bopping a double and three home runs in his past five games.
Twitter Observations From Last Week
June 27: Still worth noting arm speed between FB/breakers, but this is just a different Kyle Muller than I've watched the past few years. His recent development has been tremendous.
June 27: I'd like to see the leg kick a little higher and consistency/timing is still a thing, but good swing from Pache just now on a hard lineout. Just missed on a foul ball straight back in his previous AB.
June 25: The HR Jared Johnson allowed in the 2nd is the challenge he faces with the FB. Arm is quick and he has velo and plane down, but it's straight and can't live at the waist. Ride it up or sink it down.
June 24: I mean, it's just more of the same for Spencer Strider. Hitters getting beat to the spot by a riding FB at 95-97. Mixing in the breaking ball effectively. It's crazy how quickly his status is rising.
Recent Prospect Performances
Double-A Mississippi
6/27: Shea Langeliers 1-3, RBI, BB
6/26: Trey Harris 2-4
6/26: Odalvi Javier 6 IP, H, 8 K (NP but great start)
6/25: Braden Shewmake 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
6/24: Justin Dean 1-2, 3 BB, SB
6/24: Trey Harris: 2-4
6/24: Shea Langeliers: 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
6/24: Braden Shewmake 2-3, BB
6/24: Spencer Strider: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 8 K
6/23: Braden Shewmake 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI
6/23: Nolan Kingham 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K (NP but giving him some love)
6/22: Justin Dean 2-5
6/22: Daysbel Hernandez 1 IP, 2 K
High-A Rome
6/27: Michael Harris 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
6/27: Bryce Ball 1-5, HR, 3 RBI
6/27: Beau Philip 2-4
6/26: Darius Vines 5 IP, 5 H, 5 R, ER, 3 BB, 7 K
6/25: Cody Milligan 2-4, SB
6/25: Michael Harris 2-4, RBI
6/25: Bryce Ball 1-4, HR, RBI
6/25: Jesse Franklin 1-4, 2B, SB
6/24: Michael Harris: 1-3, HR, 3 RBI
6/23: Michael Harris: 1-3, RBI, BB=
6/23: Jesse Franklin: 1-4, HR, RBI, BB
6/23: Freddy Tarnok 3.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 8 K
6/22: Bryce Ball 1-2, RBI, 3 BB
6/22: Jesse Franklin 3-4, HR, 5 RBI, BB
6/22: Logan Brown 1-4, HR, 4 RBI
6/22: Bryce Elder 5 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 7 K
6/22: Trey Riley 1 IP, 2 K
Low-A Augusta
6/27: Alec Barger 1.1 IP, BB, 2 K
6/27: Justin Yeager 1.1 IP, H, 2 K
6/25: Willie Carter 2-4, BB, SB
6/25: Jared Johnson 4 IP, 3 H, R/ER, BB, 4 K
6/24: Willie Carter: 2-4, RBI
6/24: Brandon Parker: 1-3, 2B, RBI
6/23: Vaughn Grissom 1-5, HR, RBI
6/22: Vaughn Grissom 2-4
6/22: Willie Carter 2-4, RBI
Transactions
6/27: LHP Kyle Muller recalled to Atlanta
6/27: RHP Tanner Roark optioned to Triple-A
6/26: RHP Josh Graham placed on 7-day IL at Double-A
6/26: OF Brandon Parker placed on 7-day IL at Low-A
6/26: OF Jose Bermudez activated from 7-day IL at Low-A
6/24: RHP Jesse Chavez’s contract selected by Atlanta
6/24: RHP Tanner Roark’s contract selected by Atlanta
6/24: RHP Ty Tice optioned to Triple-A
6/24: RHP Kyle Wright optioned to Triple-A
6/23: C Carlos Martinez assigned to Double-A from Triple-A
6/23: C Hendrik Clementina placed on temporarily inactive list at Double-A
6/22: RHP Kyle Wright recalled to Atlanta
6/22: LHP Kyle Muller optioned to Triple-A
6/22: RHP Jose Rodriguez assigned to Triple-A from Double-A
6/22: RHP Touki Toussaint assigned to Triple-A from Double-A
6/22: RHP Spencer Strider assigned to Double-A from High-A
6/22: RHP Darius Vines assigned to High-A from Low-A
6/22: RHP Malcolm Van Buren assigned to Low-A
6/22: RHP Chad Bryant placed on temporarily inactive list at Low-A