Jason Hursh and Jose Peraza each made major strides this season to earn the Braves’ minor league pitcher and player of the year awards, respectively.
Both players were honored on the field before the Braves played the Mets Saturday along with the award winners for each level of the minor-league system.
For Hursh, a right-handed starter, the goal this season was to be effective and healthy through his first full season as a professional. Hursh missed the 2012 season at Oklahoma State after undergoing Tommy John Surgery and pitched nine games for Single-A Rome last year.
Hursh made 26 starts for Double-A Mississippi this year while posting a 3.58 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 83 strikeouts in 148 1/3 innings.
“First full year felt great,” Hursh said. “My body stayed healthy. I learned a lot.”
Peraza, an infielder, came into this year looking to duplicate the good production he had at the Rookie and Single-A levels with a move up to Lynchburg in the Carolina League. He was able to do so at Lynchburg and Mississippi.
Peraza hit .342 (97-for-284) with .365 on-base percentage and 35 stolen bases in 42 attempts for Lynchburg and then .335 (62-for-185) with a .363 on-base percentage and 25 stolen bases in 33 attempts after he was promoted to Mississippi.
“It’s a testament to the work the coaches have been doing with me,” Peraza said through an interpreter. “I haven’t really changed anything. I’ve just been focused on putting the ball in play.”
Peraza said he played strictly at second base this season.
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