Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with Braves roving hitting instructor Carlos Mendez at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia. 

Mendez reflected on the pride of helping Team Venezuela capture the World Baseball Classic as an assistant hitting coach, shared his thoughts on Grant Kay and the offensive success the Clingstones enjoyed early in the season, and discussed the development of players including Lizandro Espinoza, David McCabe, and Cal Conley. He also explained the value that winter ball in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic can provide for a player's growth and development.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Nestor Perez at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia.

Perez recapped a road trip in which the Clingstones took three of five games from Biloxi, discussed Owen Hackman’s strong start on Mother’s Day, and highlighted the club’s ability to put the ball in play as one of its offensive strengths. He also reflected on his connection to the Tenerife Marlins, one of the most successful professional baseball clubs in Spain.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with hitting coach Grant Kay at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

Kay discussed the source of his greatest pride during the Clingstones’ historic home run surge to begin the 2026 season, adjustments to his coaching philosophy entering his second year as hitting coach, and the progress of players including Cal Conley, David McCabe, and Jordan Groshans. He also reflected on his own draft story, hitting for the cycle in his first professional game, and the perspective his playing career provides in his work as a coach.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with catcher Tyler Tolve at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

Tolve discussed his three-run double that helped fuel a six-run comeback the previous night, his time at Kennesaw State and connection with Clingstones strength and conditioning coach Mike Wall, his transition from the outfield to catcher, the advice he would give to his younger self, and which pitcher has stood out most during his return to the Double-A level.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with catcher Archer Brookman at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

Brookman discussed his strong start to the season at the plate, how he has crafted his offensive approach throughout his career, joining the Braves organization following a Rule 5 Draft move from Detroit, and memories of the Montreal Canadiens' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Nestor Perez at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

Perez discussed the Southern League-record 13 home runs hit by the Clingstones on May 3 against Montgomery, the club’s identity of battling until the final out, Herick Hernandez earning Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors, the emergence of Rule 5 Draft pickup Archer Brookman behind the plate, and the influence of his father on both his life and baseball career.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with catcher Adam Zebrowski at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia. 

Zebrowski discussed the Clingstones’ home run binge to begin the season, delivering the club’s first walk-off home run against Biloxi in April, and the offensive progress he has made since the second half of the 2025 season. He also shared what his routine looks like on days he is not catching, his experience finishing his degree during the season, and the support his parents have provided throughout his professional career.

Austin Crume visited with Clingstones starting pitcher and Atlanta Braves No. 11 prospect Garrett Baumann. 

Baumann discussed his first season at the Double-A level, his grandfather’s time in Columbus while stationed at Fort Benning, the pipeline from Hagerty High School to professional baseball, and his favorite set of alternate uniforms in the game.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with manager Nestor Perez inside the manager’s office at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia. 

Perez recapped the recent road trip to Birmingham, discussed the club’s powerful offensive identity, Brett Sears earning Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors, and Jordan Groshans’ game-tying home run in the ninth inning on Friday. He also praised the staff around him and discussed the rehab assignment of Ha-Seong Kim.

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with pitcher Brett Sears at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Coming off a strong outing of 5.0 scoreless innings, Sears discussed how he approached sequencing his pitches against Birmingham, shared the story of a bench he built for his grandmother in high school woodshop class, reflected on his dominance at the ping pong table in Montgomery, and talked about his interest in hunting during the offseason.