Spring Training Preview: March 9

Atlanta LHP Mike Minor

One of the brightest up and coming stars in Major League Baseball will be on the hill Saturday, as the Braves will start Mike Minor against the New York Yankees in Grapefruit League action.

Minor, who is just 25 years old, spent his first full season in the majors during the 2012 season, finishing with an 11-10 record in 30 starts for Atlanta.  Minor recorded 145 strikeouts compared to 56 walks in 179 1/3 innings pitched.

Minor is considered as one of the top breakout candidates of the 2013 season, and if that comes to fruition, Atlanta will once again have one of the top starting rotations in baseball.  Minor will join Kris Medlen, Paul Maholm, Brandon Beachy and Tim Hudson in a rotation that could help Atlanta reach the top of the National League East once again.  At the very least, the Braves will compete for a Wild Card spot once again, after ending their 2012 season in a Wild Card loss to the Cardinals at home.

Grapefruit League Schedule:

Atlanta (7-8) at N.Y. Yankees (3-10) - 12:05 pm CT
Detroit (8-6) at Toronto (6-7) - 12:05 pm CT
Miami (SS) at Washington (5-6) - 12:05 pm CT
Minnesota (8-6) at Pittsburgh (4-8) - 12:05 pm CT
St. Louis (7-5) at Miami (SS) - 12:05 pm CT

Tampa Bay (10-4) at Philadelphia (6-7) - 12:05 pm CT
Houston (6-6) at N.Y. Mets (3-6) - 12:10 pm CT
Baltimore (8-2) at Boston (7-7) - 6:05 pm CT

Cactus League Schedule:

Cleveland (10-5) at Chicago Cubs (5-9) - 2:05 pm CT
Colorado (6-5) at L.A. Angels (3-8) - 2:05 pm CT
Kansas City (11-1) at San Francisco (4-6) - 2:05 pm CT

Milwaukee (6-6) at Cincinnati (2-11) - 2:05 pm CT

Oakland (6-6) at Texas (SS) - 2:05 pm CT

Seattle (11-3) at L.A. Dodgers (4-6) - 2:05 pm CT

Texas (SS) at San Diego (7-7) - 2:05 pm CT
Chicago White Sox (6-3) at Arizona (5-7) - 2:10 pm CT