Mike Minor Makes a Major Career Move

Chapel Hill's Mikie Minor, a former Forrest standout and Vanderbilt star is scheduled to make his major league debut for the Atlanta Braves on Monday in Houston.

Braves General Manager Frank Wren told mlb.com Thursday that Minor will fill the rotation spot of the injured Kris Medlen, who has a partially torn ligament in his right elbow.

The 22-year-old lefthander was the Braves' first-round pick (seventh overall) in 2009.

His ascension to the big leagues was rapid, even for a first round pick, as he only pitched a total of 118 2/3 innings in the minors. In six starts for Triple A Gwinnett, Minor was 4-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 331/3 innings. He was 2-6 in 15 starts for Double-A Mississippi earlier this season where he was victimized by some poor defensive play and spotty offensive support despite leading the Southern League with 109 strikeouts in 87 innings.

He was selected to play in last month's Futures All-Star Game.

Congratulations to our neighbors in Marshall County and to the Minor family. There is no doubt that Mikie will make us all proud. Go Braves!!!!