This isn’t shocking news, but we’ve been waiting for it to become official for a few days. The Sand Gnats return to Sally League action tonight on the road against the Lexington Legends, but they will be without catcher Kevin Plawecki, first baseman Jayce Boyd, and reliever Bret Mitchell. They have all been promoted to Advanced-A and will be joining the St. Lucie Mets in the Florida State League.

Kevin Plawecki, a 2012 supplemental first-round draft pick for the Mets out of Purdue, started this year off on a tear. He cooled off a bit after hitting .391 in April, but is still among the league leaders with a .314/.390/.494 line to go with six home runs, 43 RBIs, and league-leading 24 doubles.

Jayce Boyd departs from the SAL as the league’s leading hitter, with a .361 batting average. Another college player, Boyd was taken in the sixth round of the 2012 draft out of Florida State University. He’s hit .444 in his last 10 ballgames for the Gnats, and boasts a season line of .361/.441/.494 with five home runs, 46 RBIs, 40 runs scored, and 16 doubles.

Bret Mitchell was a 12th round selection for New York in the 2010 draft, coming from Minnesota State University. Used exclusively as a starter in his first two seasons of professional ball, Mitchell has only been used out of the bullpen for the Gnats this season. He’s compiled a 3-2 record with a 2.35 ERA with a team-high 10 saves in 30.2 innings pitched (22 appearances). He’s walked seven while striking out 41 to start the 2013 season, good for a 5.86 K/BB rate.

Congratulations to all three on their promotions! Well deserved, and it will be fun to see what they can do at the next level.