Hugh Kellenberger

The Clarion-Ledger

The future of the Atlanta Braves' infield will come together in Mississippi.

Ozzie Albies has been sent down to Double-A Mississippi in order to play with Dansby Swanson, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reported Thursday.

The move has been seen as inevitable since the Braves acquired Swanson, a former No. 1 overall pick, during the winter. Both players were signed as shortstops, and one would eventually have to change positions before they reach Atlanta. It looks like that'll be Albies, who has been playing second base in Triple-A this month.

The M-Braves are currently playing at Jackson (Tenn.) and will return home on July 4 to play Montgomery.

The Braves kept the two apart to start the 2016 season. Albies started the year with the M-Braves, but was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett after tearing up the Southern League through 22 games (.369 average. .442 on-base percentage). Things have not gone as well for the 19-year-old Albies at the minor league's highest level (.248, 11 doubles, 39 strikeouts in 222 at-bats).

It's been a bit of the same story for Swanson, who was hitting .333 for Class-A Advanced Carolina but .254 for the M-Braves. He does have 16 extra-base hits, including five home runs, and Swanson will represent Atlanta in the Futures Game connected to the MLB All-Star Game.

Swanson is the Braves' No. 1 prospect while Albies is No. 3. Pitcher Sean Newcombe, also on the Mississippi Braves roster, is No. 2.