2010 Arizona Fall League -- Season for Brewers now complete

[And That]

Today's Gameday shows Dan Merklinger, not Mike Fiers, starting. Gameday gets things wrong sometimes, so we'll see. Hunter Morris is batting cleanup, playing 1B. Farris and Gindl get the day off.

 

Edit: Merklinger is indeed getting the start over Fiers. Could be we'll see Fiers in relief later on.

[Mass Haas]

Surprise wins, 5-3, in ten innings

Hunter Morris 1-for-4, solo HR to center field in the 5th.

 

Lefty Dan Merklinger (Toby's tweet) went three innings, faltered just at the end, still impressive in three AFL appearances --

 

Phoenix Bottom of the 1st

• Tyler Pastornicky strikes out swinging.
  
• Trayvon Robinson reaches on fielding error by third baseman Zack Cox.
  
• Brandon Laird flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre.
  
• Jerry Sands walks. Trayvon Robinson to 2nd.
  
• Cory Harrilchak called out on strikes.

Phoenix Bottom of the 2nd

• Michael Taylor pops out to second baseman Johnny Giavotella.
  
• Kyle Skipworth singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Engel Beltre.
  
• Jose Pirela lines into double play, shortstop Pete Kozma to first baseman Hunter Morris. Kyle Skipworth doubled off 1st.

Phoenix Bottom of the 3rd

• Ryan Curry grounds out, pitcher Dan Merklinger to first baseman Hunter Morris.
  
• Tyler Pastornicky flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre.
  
• Trayvon Robinson walks.
  
• With Brandon Laird batting, Trayvon Robinson advances to 2nd on a balk.
  
• Brandon Laird doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Engel Beltre. Trayvon Robinson scores.
  
• Jerry Sands singles on a ground ball to center fielder Engel Beltre. Brandon Laird scores.
  
• Cory Harrilchak grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Hunter Morris.

Jeremy Jeffress has walked six in 6.1 innings, but has allowed only two hits and maintains a 0.00 ERA -- he even went two innings behind Merklinger (no Gameday pitch speed data) --

Phoenix Bottom of the 4th

• Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Dan Merklinger.
  
• Michael Taylor flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre.
  
• Kyle Skipworth walks.
  
• Jose Pirela walks. Kyle Skipworth to 2nd.
  
• Ryan Curry pops out to third baseman Zack Cox on the infield fly rule.
  
• Tyler Pastornicky grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Jose Pirela out at 2nd.

Phoenix Bottom of the 5th

• Trayvon Robinson called out on strikes.
  
• Brandon Laird walks.
  
• Jerry Sands strikes out swinging.
  
• Cory Harrilchak grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Hunter Morris.

Toby's other game-related Tweets

[AZBrewCrew]

Surprise Stadium is *literally* across the street from me, so I will be going to some of the games and will post pics here!!

[And That]

According to Gameday, Logan Schafer is making his AFL debut this afternoon, playing CF and leading off. 2B Eric Farris and Caleb Gindl are also in the lineup, batting 2 and 3.

 

Edit: Hunter Morris is also in the lineup, batting 6th and playing 3rd.

[Tedaldtada]

Welcome back Logan! I'm loving the lineup card today.

[TooLiveBrew]

Hope Logan can take out some pent-up frustration on the AFL pitchers

[brewmann04]

kudos to see Logan back and Looks like Morris made his first Error @3rd but still like seeing him there.

[Mass Haas]

Surprise rolls with a rare AFL shutout, 7-0

LHP Lucas Luetge survived two-out trouble to post a scoreless inning --

 

Peo Saguaros Top of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Lucas Luetge replaces Brandon Sisk.
  
• Chris Parmelee flies out to left fielder Caleb Gindl.
  
• Kris Negron strikes out swinging.
  
• Jared Mitchell singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Andrew Parrino doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Caleb Gindl. Jared Mitchell to 3rd.
  
• Ben Revere grounds out, shortstop Cale Iorg to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

As noted in that log, Caleb Gindl played left field with buddy Logan Schafer in center. The Brewer contingent continues to have a wonderful fall season., as Gindl, Schafer, Eric Farris and Hunter Morris combined to go 6-for-15 with four walks.

[Mass Haas]

Surprise wins again, 5-3.

Manager Mike Guerrero felt guilty about featuring four Brewers in Wednesday's lineup so he went Brewerless at the plate Thursday.

 

Brandon Kintzler and Mike McClendon combined for three scoreless innings (four K's, no walks). That's 6.1 scoreless innings in Kintzler's last four appearances, and 7.1 scoreless innings over his last five appearances for McClendon. Yee-hah!

 

Scottsdale Bottom of the 5th

• Pitcher Change: Brandon Kintzler replaces Brian Broderick.
  
• Greg Miclat grounds out, third baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Eric Hosmer.
  
• Marc Krauss strikes out swinging.
  
• Jordan Pacheco singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ben Guez.
  
• Charles Blackmon flies out to right fielder Ben Guez.

Scottsdale Bottom of the 6th

• Derek Norris grounds out softly, third baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Eric Hosmer.
  
• Conor Gillaspie singles on a ground ball to center fielder Engel Beltre.
  
• Michael Burgess strikes out swinging.
  
• Xavier Avery strikes out swinging.

Scottsdale Bottom of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Mike McClendon replaces Brandon Kintzler.
  
• Steve Lombardozzi flies out to right fielder Ben Guez.
  
• Greg Miclat strikes out swinging.
  
• Marc Krauss flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre.

[CheezWizHed]

Conor Gillaspie singles on a ground ball to center fielder Engel Beltre.

 

had to read that twice... my brain put in "Cole".

[Mass Haas]

Surprise moves to 9-6 with a 12-5 rout victory (it was 12-1 after four innings) -- now granted, it's an offensive league, but team stats show it's not as obscene as you may think, so the success of the Brewer kids thus far (three more multi-hit games today) is legit, albeit in a small sample. Despite playing in only nine games (much fewer than most in the league), Eric Farris leads the league in runs scored. Caleb Gindl is 4th in OPS (5th in SLG, tied with Farris for 7th in OBP).

 

Game story includes this --

 

Caleb Gindl extended his hitting streak to a team-best nine games and he raised his average to .361 with a pair of doubles, his fifth and sixth extra-base hits of the Fall League. He shares that hitting streak with none other than Eric Farris, who was 2-for-6 with two RBIs to bump his average to .429. The streaks are the highest for any pair of teammates in the AFL, while individually they rank third in the AFL behind Mesa's Jeremy Moore (Angels), who saw his 11-game streak snapped in Scottsdale on Friday.

 

***

 

Farris (has only played second base, boy is he locked into that position) was 2-for-6 with a run scored and two RBI. Gindl, in right field, doubled twice on a 2-for-4 day, walked, and scored twice. DH Hunter Morris is hitting .306 after 36 AB's (.838 OPS) -- he was 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored.

 

Day off for the Brewer pitchers...

[Mass Haas]

Someone finally got to Jeremy Jeffress in the AFL -- he was asked to pitch both the 8th and 9th innings with an 8-4 lead in Saturday's game, but after a scoreless 8th inning (one walk, 17 pitches, all but one a fastball, four at 97 MPH), the first three batters reached in the 9th and he was pulled from the game.

 

Peo Javelinas Top of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Patrick Keating.
  
• Defensive Substitution: Francisco Martinez replaces third baseman Zack Cox, batting 8th, playing third base.
  
• Adam Abraham pops out to first baseman Hunter Morris in foul territory.
  
• Nate Tenbrink walks.
  
• Jay Austin called out on strikes.
  
• Cord Phelps grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Pete Kozma. Nate Tenbrink out at 2nd.

Peo Javelinas Top of the 9th

• Juan Carlos Linares singles on a ground ball to third baseman Francisco Martinez.
  
• Ryan Lavarnway singles on a fly ball to right fielder Joey Butler. Juan Carlos Linares to 2nd.
  
• Adam Loewen singles on a line drive to left fielder Ben Guez. Juan Carlos Linares scores. Ryan Lavarnway to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Matt Hoffman replaces Jeremy Jeffress.

Logan Schafer played CF, led off, and reached three times on two singles and a walk. Hunter Morris played first base, singled twice in a 2-for-4 day in which he drove in two. Fantastic experience for the late roster addition (Caleb Gindl and Eric Farris were idle. Gindl, too, was a late addition, you'll remember.)

 

Surprise hung on to win the game, 8-7. Boxscore / Game Log / Gameday available here. Jeffress allowed three runs as both his remaining runners came around to score, but only one of the runs was earned, and his ERA is now 1.23.

 

The AFL lists RHP Michael Fiers, who hasn't pitched since October 20th, as Monday's starter. Day off Sunday.

[Mass Haas]

Morris, Rafters hang on for victory

Brewers prospect enjoying strong fall after rocky regular season

By Ashley Marshall / Special to MLB.com

 

Milwaukee prospect Hunter Morris continued his impressive Fall League showing with a clutch two-run single in Surprise's 8-7 victory over Peoria on Saturday.

 

The 22-year-old first baseman is batting .325 over 10 games with the Rafters, but none of his hits have been as important as his seventh-inning knock that helped his side hold on to the top spot in the AFL West.

 

Morris, who has seven hits over his last four starts, came to the plate with the bases loaded and Surprise (10-6) holding on to a one-run advantage over the second-place Javelinas, who are just half a game out of the division lead.

 

The left-handed slugger wasted no time padding the league leaders' cushion to 7-4. He lined Travis Turek's first pitch -- an 81 MPH changeup outside -- back up the middle to plate a pair of runs and give the Rafters a lead they would not relinquish.

 

Texas League All-Star Joey Butler (Rangers) slugged his first homer of the fall -- a two-run shot in the third inning -- and third baseman Zack Cox (Cardinals) extended his hitting streak to five games after going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

 

First-rounder Pete Kozma (Cardinals) had two hits and a pair of runs out of the No. 7 hole, but Royals prospect Eric Hosmer, the third overall pick in the 2008 Draft, went 0-for-4 with a walk and two runs one day after seeing his seven-game hit streak come to an end.

 

Right-hander Patrick Keating (Royals) won his first game for the Rafters after allowing one unearned run over two innings in relief after starter Brooks Brown (Tigers) surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and two walks over three frames.

 

Third baseman Cord Phelps (Indians) was 3-5 and Adam Loewen, a converted pitcher who slugged 13 homers for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the Eastern League in 2010, went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs and a walk for the Javelinas (9-6) in the loss.

 

Hunter Morris hit .251 with nine homers and 44 RBIs in 71 Midwest League games. (Jordan Megenhardt/MLB.com)

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2010/10/30/T9Rt8Rqx.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Game still going on as of 4:00 Central, Farris and Gindl in the lineup, Kintzler in relief thus far, but a wonderful hitless four innings from Michael Fiers (one unearned run), fastballs between 87 and 92, usually in the 89 range. Details on the others later, Fiers' day below --

 

Phoenix Top of the 1st

• Ivan De JesusJr. strikes out swinging.
  
• Trayvon Robinson flies out to left fielder Derrick Robinson.
  
• Brandon Laird flies out to right fielder Caleb Gindl.

Phoenix Top of the 2nd

• Jerry Sands called out on strikes.
  
• Stephen Parker reaches on fielding error by shortstop Cale Iorg.
  
• Austin Romine strikes out swinging and Stephen Parker was picked off 1st, catcher Tony Cruz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

Phoenix Top of the 3rd

• Michael Taylor walks.
  
• Cory Harrilchak called out on strikes.
  
• Ryan Curry reaches on fielding error by left fielder Derrick Robinson. Michael Taylor to 3rd. Ryan Curry to 2nd.
  
• Ivan De JesusJr. grounds out, shortstop Cale Iorg to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Michael Taylor scores.
  
• Trayvon Robinson flies out to center fielder Adron Chambers.

Phoenix Top of the 4th

• Brandon Laird grounds out, shortstop Cale Iorg to first baseman Eric Hosmer.
  
• Jerry Sands flies out to center fielder Adron Chambers.
  
• Stephen Parker lines out sharply to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

[battlekow]

ESPN's Jason Grey on how Jeremy Jeffress has looked in the AFL:

I've seen the 23-year-old former first-round pick at various points since his pro debut in 2006, and the one constant has been his ability to bring high-90s heat seemingly with little effort. The righty has touched 98 mph here in Arizona, and has generally sat in the 94-96 mph range in most of his outings. That said, his secondary stuff is still a work in progress. His 77-78 mph curve has been below average, as its break has generally not been good, and I've seen it better in the past. His 87-89 mph straight changeup has been OK, and he has shown some feel for locating it when he's not slowing his arm. The bottom line is that he needs to repeat his delivery better. It's not a complicated delivery, so it's projectable that he can do so, but right now he's speeding it up and varying his release point. He has shown flashes of working his fastball on both halves of the plate, but repeating his delivery will improve his fastball command and make his curve more consistent, in addition to helping him throw more strikes.

EDIT: Grey followed up: "he's flashed a couple of good curves, so it's still there - just very inconsistent right now - will see him more next 2 weeks"

[battlekow]

Brewers' Fiers bounces back for Surprise

Danny Wild/MLB.com

Michael Fiers held the Desert Dogs hitless for four innings thanks to a new pitch and a relaxed approach in Surprise's 3-2 Arizona Fall League win Monday.

Fiers, who pitched at two levels this summer for the Brewers and added a cut fastball this fall, struck out four and allowed one run on a walk over four frames.

"I'm just working on throwing strikes and working on a cutter. I kinda started throwing better and keeping the ball down," he said. "I was attacking them and throwing strikes."

Fiers, who saw time at Class A Advanced Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville in 2010, struggled in his first two outings this fall, allowing seven runs over 4 1/3 frames. On Monday, he found a comfort zone on the hill.

"My first couple starts I couldn't get into a groove. I was on a pitch count and trying to make too many things happen at once," said Fiers, who threw 34 of his 55 pitches for strikes Monday. "I guess I settled down and just took it one pitch at a time."

Fiers, Milwaukee's 22nd-round pick in 2009, made 27 starts this summer in the Minors, finishing a combined 5-9 with a 3.53 ERA. He struck out 130 and walked only 32 over 125 innings.

"I'm always trying to throw strikes," he said. "Get them to swing early and get a ground ball."

Fiers cruised through two innings before walking A's slugger Michael Taylor to begin the third. He struck out Cory Harrilchak (Braves), but Ryan Curry (Marlins) reached second on a fielding error by left fielder Derrick Robinson (Royals). That allowed Taylor to advance to third and Ivan De Jesus Jr. (Dodgers) followed with groundout to first to plate Taylor.

"I felt great. I felt like I was attacking them, kept the hitters off balance," said Fiers, who used a fastball, change and curveball along with his cutter.

Fiers, who grew up in Florida and pitched there for half the year, said he's enjoying his chance to pitch in Arizona.

"It's a great feeling to play with pretty much the best guys in the Minors and a couple guys who've played in the big leagues," he said.

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2010/11/01/almTNjcI.jpg
Scott Jontes/MiLB.com

[battlekow]

Eric Farris was 1-4, Caleb Gindl was 0-4, and Brandon Kintzler allowed a run on three hits in two innings with no walks or strikeouts (box score). Kintzler was 92-94 with his fastball and 83-87 with his slider.

[BrewCrewForever]

Granted I have only seen Jeffress during his call up in September with the Brewers, but I thought his curve was pretty darn good. Seemed to break hard and buckle knees. So I have to go ahead and disagree with Grey. But I am not a pro scout either.

[CheezWizHed]

Jeffress simply hasn't pitched that much either. At this point, he just needs innings to make it consistent.

[Mass Haas]

Jeffress, Gindl picked for AFL showcase

 

McCalvy with the update on Saturday's televised game, 11/6

[battlekow]

From Jim Callis's most recent chat:

Merkado (NYC): How fast tracked is Hunter Morris for Brewers? He seems to be quietly producing w/ power this season and in the AFL. Can we possibly see him break camp in spring training?

Jim Callis: No, that's way, way, way too early. Morris has good lefthanded power, but he's at least a season and a half away. At least.

[Mass Haas]

Nice honor for Mike Guerrero, he will manage Jeremy Jeffress and Caleb Gindl in the Rising Stars Showcase Game on Saturday.Surprise ties, 2-2, after 11 innings

Mike McClendon and Jeremy Jeffress each went two innings to finish things up -- McClendon (20 pitches / 13 strikes) was much more efficient than Jeffress (41/24), but McClendon was touched for a key unearned run (hurt by his own throwing error). Each also pitched his way out of big additional trouble in each of his frames. Four adventurous innings total...

 

McClendon's streak without allowing an earned run reaches 9.1 innings over six appearances; Jeffress has allowed one earned run in 9.1 innings in his seven AFL games, but has walked eight (ten K's).

 

Phoenix Bottom of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Mike McClendon replaces Blake King.
  
• Ivan De JesusJr. singles on a line drive to right fielder Joey Butler.
  
• Trayvon Robinson hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Mike McClendon. Ivan De JesusJr. to 3rd. Trayvon Robinson to 2nd.
  
• Brandon Laird grounds out, third baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Ivan De JesusJr. scores. Trayvon Robinson to 3rd.
  
• Jerry Sands grounds out, first baseman Eric Hosmer to second baseman Johnny Giavotella.
  
• Kyle Skipworth grounds out, first baseman Eric Hosmer to pitcher Mike McClendon.

Phoenix Bottom of the 9th

• Michael Taylor grounds out, shortstop Pete Kozma to first baseman Eric Hosmer.
  
• Stephen Parker doubles (4) on a fly ball to right fielder Joey Butler.
  
• Mike McClendon intentionally walks Jose Pirela.
  
• Tyler Pastornicky grounds into double play, third baseman Francisco Martinez to second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Jose Pirela out at 2nd.

Phoenix Bottom of the 10th

• Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Mike McClendon.
  
• Ivan De JesusJr. walks.
  
• Trayvon Robinson out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Jose Felix to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Ivan De JesusJr. to 2nd.
  
• Brandon Laird pops out to third baseman Francisco Martinez.
  
• Jerry Sands called out on strikes.

Phoenix Bottom of the 11th

• Defensive Substitution: Caleb Gindl replaces left fielder Ben Guez, batting 3rd, playing left field.
  
• Kyle Skipworth doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Caleb Gindl.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Cory Harrilchak replaces Kyle Skipworth.
  
• Michael Taylor reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Pete Kozma to third baseman Francisco Martinez. Cory Harrilchak out at 3rd.
  
• Stephen Parker singles on a line drive to left fielder Caleb Gindl. Michael Taylor to 3rd.
  
• Jose Pirela strikes out swinging.
  
• Tyler Pastornicky grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

[Mass Haas]

It's not often players competing in the Arizona Fall League change organizations, but with 29-year-old RHP Justin James being claimed by the Brewers for their 40-man roster (discussion on Major League Forum), we'll now need to keep an eye on Phoenix Desert Dog games.

 

Here is James' MiLB.com player page, which includes his 2010 minor and major league numbers, his year-by-year stats from 2005 on, and his current AFL stat line.

[CheezWizHed]

From Jim Callis's most recent chat:

Merkado (NYC): How fast tracked is Hunter Morris for Brewers? He seems to be quietly producing w/ power this season and in the AFL. Can we possibly see him break camp in spring training?

Jim Callis: No, that's way, way, way too early. Morris has good lefthanded power, but he's at least a season and a half away. At least.

That question seemed a bit absurd, but I wonder if Morris might start at AA this year? Leading to one year at AA, half or full season at AAA (thus at least 1 1/2 seasons). That would clear the logjam of Morris (AA), Dennis (A+) and Hawn (A).

 

Of course, if they are serious about Morris playing 3B, they would go slower with him.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers' site will have several AFL updates the next few days, very nice actually, via John of the "John and Cait" blog -- first installment.