The Pregame Peach

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with infielder E.J. Exposito at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia.  Exposito discussed his recent promotion to Double-A, a game-winning RBI the previous night, the familiarity he has felt in the clubhouse in Columbus, growing up on Long Island as a Yankees fan, and the meaning behind his initials.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with reliever LJ McDonough at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia.  McDonough discussed his signature pitching delivery, his hometown of Blanchard, Oklahoma, attending Florida Gulf Coast University, and his first impressions of Synovus Park.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with reliever Austin Smith at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  Smith discussed his journey back from Tommy John surgery, his collegiate path from Division III to Arizona, his experience in the transfer portal, and how he prepares to enter games in high-leverage situations.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Cody Gabella at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  Gabella discussed the veteran presence in the bullpen, how he approached doubleheaders during his playing career, what having multiple switch hitters in the lineup does for him as a manager, and which historic ballpark he would have most wanted to visit.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Cody Gabella in Pensacola, Florida.  Gabella recapped a strange week in Chattanooga, discussed the differences in the Pensacola club from April to June, and reflected on conversations with his father, a former manager and current scout for the San Francisco Giants, and the advice he continues to seek from him.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with pitcher Blane Abeyta in Pensacola, Florida.  Abeyta discussed his solid performance in May, his background as a catcher, the development of his pitch arsenal during his professional career, advice he shared with JR Ritchie about throwing his sweeper, and pitching in memory of his grandfather.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with outfielder Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. in Pensacola, Florida.  Kilpatrick discussed finding his rhythm at the plate, his preparation process, success against left-handed pitching, when he decided to pursue a career in professional baseball, and what he has learned during his first season at the Double-A level.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with coach Francisco Diaz in Pensacola, Florida.  Diaz shared his impressions of Columbus, discussed working with the Clingstones’ catching corps, reflected on how the position has evolved since his playing days, and talked about building his home in his native Venezuela.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with starting pitcher Blake Burkhalter in Pensacola, Florida.  Burkhalter discussed his debut season at the Double-A level, how he manages starts when he doesn’t have his best stuff, his recovery from Tommy John surgery, the transition from closer at Auburn to a starting role in the Braves organization, and his close relationship with former Br...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Cody Gabella at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Gabella discussed a bizarre week marked by three cancellations due to wet field conditions, the challenges of managing a club amid constant schedule disruptions, Lucas Braun’s four-day wait to make his start, and his ranking of America’s four crown jewel sporting events.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with infielder Kobe Kato at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia.  Kato discussed the Clingstones’ club-high 13-run performance the previous night, his own start to the season, his background as a native Hawaiian, a stint in independent baseball during the 2024 season, and his path to joining the Braves organization in 2025.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Cody Gabella at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Gabella discussed Ethan Workinger’s historic homestand at Synovus Park, witnessing Ian Mejia’s strong start to the season, his ejection during a game against Birmingham the previous week, playing in a new ballpark in Knoxville, and the significance of John Wayne’s The Q...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with infielder Drew Compton at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Compton discussed his first season at the Double-A level, a strong offensive start to May for Columbus, memories from his playing career at Georgia Tech under longtime head coach Danny Hall, and his perspective on something fans often don’t see about what it takes to...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with pitcher Landon Harper to discuss his strong pitching performance on short notice following an injury to starter Drue Hackenberg.  Harper also talked about the foundation his faith provides, his relationship with pitching coach Mike Steed, and the important role his parents have played in helping him reach the professional level.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with starting pitcher Ian Mejia at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee, following seven scoreless innings the previous night.  Mejia discussed discovering his strengths as a pitcher, performing in challenging elements, how he works to control the running game, thoughts on the team’s three consecutive extra-inning games, the progression...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with pitching coach Mike Steed at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Steed discussed his thoughts on individual members of the pitching staff, JR Ritchie’s upcoming Double-A debut, his own rise through the Braves organization, what he emphasizes during mound visits, and his longstanding relationship with infielder David McCabe.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Cody Gabella at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia.  Gabella previewed the upcoming series against Montgomery, shared his thoughts on the Rays organization, discussed how he was first introduced to pitching coach Mike Steed, and reflected on the most memorable Major League brawl he has watched.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with catcher Adam Zebrowski at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia.  Zebrowski discussed his start to the season, his fondness for the USA Today crossword, the inspiration he drew from a San Francisco Giants legend, and the lessons he has learned about calling games from behind the plate.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with former Braves Director of Pitching Development Paul Davis at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia.  Davis shared his perspective on several pitchers in Columbus and throughout the Braves organization, outlined his approach to pitching development and building sustainable success at each level, and discussed the progress of rising prospects Di...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with Hayden Harris at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia to discuss his strong start to the 2025 season, his unique pitching style, players he grew up emulating, and the personality he brings to the mound. Harris also reflected on originally aspiring to be a hitter before committing to pitching, a path that later led to his Major League debut wi...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Cody Gabella at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia. Gabella discussed relationships with players who have climbed the ranks of the Braves organization alongside him, thoughts on individual performances from David McCabe and Cal Conley, the bullpen’s strong start to the season after posting the lowest ERA in the Southern League in Ap...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with outfielder Ethan Workinger at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia. Workinger reflected on his historic three-home run, eight-RBI performance against Biloxi - the first three-homer game at Synovus Park since 2005 - and the experience of a night that quickly became part of the Clingstones' early history. He also shared details of his unco...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Cody Gabella inside his office at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia. Gabella previewed the upcoming series against Birmingham, discussed the matchup with top-ranked left-handed pitching prospect Noah Schultz, reflected on memorable Major League home runs he recalls watching growing up, shared insight into his unique relationship wi...

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with infielder David McCabe at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia. McCabe discussed his triple from the previous night, growing up in Canada and choosing baseball as his sport, moving to Charlotte for his collegiate career, his long-standing relationship with pitching coach Mike Steed, recovery from 2024 Tommy John surgery, and his experience pl...