2010 Arizona Fall League -- Season for Brewers now complete

[Mass Haas]

Looks like LHP Lucas Luetge was "traded" back to his original Surprise squad with all the other Brewers (except Dan Merklinger and Justin James).

 

Two hard-hit singles followed by a two-run double victimizes Mike McClendon, who had his streak without allowing an earned run snapped at 11.1 innings.

 

The Gameday link in the prior post tells us that Luetge reached 90 and McClendon 91, but were generally a tick below that.

 

Peo Javelinas Top of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Lucas Luetge replaces Brian Broderick.
  
• Ryan Lavarnway lines out sharply to shortstop Pete Kozma.
  
• Michael McDade flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Eric Thames grounds out to first baseman Hunter Morris.

Peo Javelinas Top of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Mike McClendon replaces Lucas Luetge.
  
• Jason Kipnis grounds out, second baseman Davis Stoneburner to first baseman Hunter Morris.
  
• Adam Abraham singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Matt Lawson singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Jared Bolden. Adam Abraham to 2nd.
  
• Cord Phelps doubles (4) on a sharp line drive to right fielder Ben Guez. Adam Abraham scores. Matt Lawson scores.
  
• Brandon Barnes reaches on throwing error by third baseman Francisco Martinez. Cord Phelps scores. Brandon Barnes to 2nd.
  
• Adam Loewen grounds out to first baseman Hunter Morris. Brandon Barnes to 3rd.
  
• Ryan Lavarnway flies out to left fielder Jared Bolden.

Logan Schafer had an RBI single in four trips, fanning once. Hunter Morris 1-for-4 (double), 1 K.

[Mass Haas]

UPDATE: Wow, trailing 8-2 entering the bottom of the 9th, it didn't appear Logan Schafer would bat again, as he would have had to bat 8th in the final inning. But the Rafters scored three times, and had two on with two out and Schafer came up for his 5th AB representing the tying run.

 

Groundout, game over. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif

[Mass Haas]

Here is Thursday's Gameday, 1:30 Central start if you wish to check in. Among Brewers, only 2B Eric Farris, batting 2nd, is in today's starting lineup.

 

RHP Michael Fiers' next start is Saturday the 13th.

[Mass Haas]

Brandon Kintzler was called upon to get the final out with a 6-5 lead and runners on 1st and 2nd in Thursday's game. Good job, Brandon, a six-pitch strikeout (swinging). According to gameday, he threw nothing but sliders, all 84-85 MPH.

 

Eric Farris singled in five trips, stealing his 7th base without being caught.

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Gameday (1:30 Central) finds 2B Eric Farris hitting 2nd, and Hunter Morris playing third base and batting 5th.

 

Caleb Gindl hasn't played since Tuesday, perhaps he's ailing somehow.

 

You'd expect some bullpen activity from at least one Brewer later this afternoon.

[Mass Haas]

Wow, Surprise is down 9-0 after the 1st inning. Fortunately, no Brewer pitcher victimized. Makes you wonder if they will definitely play all nine innings if the Rafters staff is short of arms later on.

[battlekow]

Farris was 2-4 and Morris was 0-3 with a walk. Jeremy Jeffress tossed 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts, allowing a hit and a walk. Jeffress threw 27 pitches, 16 for strikes; his four-seamer was 96-100, and he mixed in some two-seamers and curves. Lucas Luetge worked the final two frames, allowing just a walk and fanning two. 16 stikes in 25 pitches for Luetge; he was 88-91 with his fastball.

[Mass Haas]

Down 9-0 after one, Surprise loses 10-3 (box).

 

Jeremy Jeffress came on in the 5th with men on 1st and 2nd, two out and retired Koby Clemens. Jeffress and LHP Lucas Luetge then combined for an additional three scoreless innings.

 

Check out Jeffress' pitch speeds at the Gameday link in the 5th and 6th via the pitch-by-pitch option. One in particular hit 100 MPH. The southpaw Luetge hit a respectable 90-91.

 

Peo Javelinas Bottom of the 5th

• Jason Kipnis doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Derrick Robinson.
  
• Juan Carlos Linares flies out to right fielder Joey Butler.
  
• Dustin Ackley walks.
  
• Adam Loewen strikes out swinging.
  
• Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Adalberto Flores.
  
• Koby Clemens flies out to right fielder Joey Butler.

Peo Javelinas Bottom of the 6th

• Eric Thames grounds out, third baseman Hunter Morris to first baseman Eric Hosmer.
  
• Nate Tenbrink walks.
  
• Roberto Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Derrick Robinson. Nate Tenbrink to 2nd.
  
• Matt Lawson strikes out swinging.
  
• Jason Kipnis strikes out swinging.

Peo Javelinas Bottom of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Lucas Luetge replaces Jeremy Jeffress.
  
• Juan Carlos Linares flies out to right fielder Joey Butler.
  
• Dustin Ackley strikes out swinging.
  
• Adam Loewen strikes out swinging.

Peo Javelinas Bottom of the 8th

• Koby Clemens flies out to center fielder Derrick Robinson.
  
• Eric Thames grounds out, first baseman Eric Hosmer to pitcher Lucas Luetge.
  
• Nate Tenbrink walks.
  
• Roberto Perez flies out to center fielder Derrick Robinson.

Eric Farris was 2-for-4, both doubles, and scored a run. Hunter Morris 0-for-3 with a walk and an RBI groundout, and handled his one chance at third base.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Michael Fiers gets the start (Gameday link) this afternoon, allowed a solo home run through two innings thus far.

 

Logan Schafer in CF, leading off for the Raptors. Still no Caleb Gindl.

[Mass Haas]

Surprise hangs on, 4-3.

Logan Schafer 1-for-4 with an RBI.

 

Another nice outing for Michael Fiers and his new cutter -- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 5 K, 78 pitches (48 strikes), 4/4 GB/FB

 

Scottsdale Top of the 1st

• Steve Lombardozzi singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• With Greg Miclat batting, Steve Lombardozzi caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Tony Cruz to second baseman Johnny Giavotella.
  
• Greg Miclat called out on strikes.
  
• Conor Gillaspie homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.
  
• Jordan Pacheco called out on strikes.

Scottsdale Top of the 2nd

• Bryce Harper pops out to shortstop Cale Iorg.
  
• A. J. Pollock strikes out swinging.
  
• Caleb Joseph grounds out, third baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Davis Stoneburner.

Scottsdale Top of the 3rd

• Thomas Field flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Xavier Avery flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Steve Lombardozzi grounds out to first baseman Davis Stoneburner.

Scottsdale Top of the 4th

• Greg Miclat strikes out swinging.
  
• Conor Gillaspie singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Jared Bolden.
  
• Jordan Pacheco strikes out swinging. Conor Gillaspie steals (1) 2nd base.
  
• Bryce Harper walks.
  
• A. J. Pollock grounds out softly, pitcher Michael Fiers to first baseman Davis Stoneburner.

Scottsdale Top of the 5th

• Caleb Joseph flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Thomas Field lines out to left fielder Jared Bolden.
  
• Xavier Avery grounds out softly to first baseman Davis Stoneburner.

RHP Mike McClendon was 5th in the league in WHIP (0.93) and 4th in opponent average (.196) coming into this game. he allowed one run here --

Scottsdale Top of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Mike McClendon replaces Brandon Sisk.
  
• Xavier Avery flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Steve Lombardozzi walks.
  
• Greg Miclat doubles (3) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Jared Bolden. Steve Lombardozzi to 3rd.
  
• Conor Gillaspie singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ben Guez. Steve Lombardozzi scores. Greg Miclat out at home on the throw, right fielder Ben Guez to catcher Tony Cruz.
  
• Jordan Pacheco flies out to right fielder Ben Guez.

[Mass Haas]

There are two Gamedays for you to follow beginning at 1:35 Central today -- 2B Eric Farris is hitting 2nd and the returning Caleb Gindl, in RF, bats 6th, for Surprise.

 

In the other game, LHP Dan Merklinger is starting for Phoenix today.

[battlekow]

Lamontagne is a new father, he probably won't be a part of any fall leagues.

He's not, but here's a bit on him from a subscriber-only BA piece:

"When he came out of college, he was mostly a fastball/cutter guy," minor league pitching coordinator Lee Tunnell said. "We got him to add a curveball, which he had stopped throwing in college.

"That gave him another look with an offspeed pitch, and it really helped him keep hitters off balance. Pitching out of the bullpen, his velocity kicked up to 93-95 (mph). He showed he could impact games as a relief pitcher. He really did a great job."

At 6-foot-5, 208 pounds, Lamontagne also worked on smoothing out his delivery, enabling him to throw on a downhill plane more consistently and hit the bottom of the strike zone.

[Mass Haas]

Oakland lefty Carlos Hernandez helped LHP Dan Merklinger's line with a relief effort in the 4th --

 

Merklinger: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 71 pitches (only 35 strikes), 6-to-2 GB / FO

 

Mesa Bottom of the 1st

• Andrew Romine flies out to left fielder Brandon Laird.
  
• Ryan Flaherty singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Taylor.
  
• John Tolisano strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Dan Merklinger. Ryan Flaherty to 2nd.
  
• Matt Rizzotti singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Taylor. Ryan Flaherty scores.
  
• With Josh Vitters batting, passed ball by Kyle Skipworth, Matt Rizzotti to 2nd.
  
• Josh Vitters grounds out, shortstop Grant Green to first baseman Stephen Parker.

Mesa Bottom of the 2nd

• Andrew Lambo grounds out, shortstop Grant Green to first baseman Stephen Parker.
  
• Kirk Nieuwenhuis walks.
  
• Tony Sanchez called out on strikes.
  
• Jordy Mercer flies out to right fielder Jerry Sands.

Mesa Bottom of the 3rd

• Andrew Romine grounds out sharply, pitcher Dan Merklinger to shortstop Grant Green to first baseman Stephen Parker.
  
• Ryan Flaherty grounds out to first baseman Stephen Parker.
  
• John Tolisano grounds out, second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Stephen Parker.

Mesa Bottom of the 4th

• Matt Rizzotti grounds out, second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Stephen Parker.
  
• Josh Vitters doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Laird.
  
• Andrew Lambo doubles (8) on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Jerry Sands. Josh Vitters scores.
  
• Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit by pitch.
  
• Pitcher Change: Carlos Hernandez replaces Dan Merklinger.
  
• Tony Sanchez grounds out, third baseman Ryan Curry to second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Stephen Parker. Andrew Lambo to 3rd. Kirk Nieuwenhuis to 2nd.
  
• Jordy Mercer strikes out swinging.

But RHP Justin James couldn't protect a two-run lead in the 9th, and the game ended in a 5-5 tie.

 

Mesa Bottom of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Justin James replaces Steve Cishek.
  
• Jordy Mercer singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Taylor.
  
• Andrew Romine walks. Jordy Mercer to 2nd.
  
• Ryan Flaherty out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Justin James to first baseman Stephen Parker. Jordy Mercer to 3rd. Andrew Romine to 2nd.
  
• John Tolisano grounds out, second baseman Jose Pirela to first baseman Stephen Parker. Jordy Mercer scores. Andrew Romine to 3rd.
  
• With Matt Rizzotti batting, wild pitch by Justin James, Andrew Romine scores.
  
• Matt Rizzotti strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Surprise kept its faint championship hopes alive (elimination # is one) with a 2-1 victory.

 

RHP Brandon Kintzler allowed a run but held on for the save -- four batters, nine pitches, one left the park. Gameday link with the 9th inning pitch-by-pitch details

 

Peo Javelinas Top of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Brandon Kintzler replaces Patrick Keating.
  
• Cord Phelps homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.
  
• Jose Iglesias singles on a ground ball to second baseman Eric Farris.
  
• Dustin Ackley flies into double play, center fielder Derrick Robinson to second baseman Eric Farris. Jose Iglesias out at 2nd on the throw.
  
• Ryan Lavarnway grounds out, second baseman Eric Farris to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

Eric Farris 0-for-3, BB, run scored -- 8th SB in as many tries

 

Caleb Gindl doubled in four trips, fanned twice

[Mass Haas]

Caleb Gindl is in today's lineup, batting 5th in RF (Gameday).

[Mass Haas]

Jeremy Jeffress lit up the radar gun again today, as you can see via the 6th inning pitch-by-pitch option with the gameday link in the prior post --

 

Mesa Top of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Brian Broderick.
  
• Josh Vitters grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Davis Stoneburner.
  
• Andrew Lambo strikes out swinging.
  
• Joshua Satin walks.
  
• Kirk Nieuwenhuis called out on strikes.

Caleb Gindl finished 0-for-3 in the shortened seven-inning Surprise 7-2 victory

However, Surprise was eliminated from consideration for Saturday's televised championship. No Brewers will be taking part in that game.

[Mass Haas]

It's still early in the game here Wednesday afternoon, but Logan Schafer and Eric Farris already pulled off a double steal for Surprise, it's the team's next-to-last game.

Gameday link does include pitch speeds for review later on.

[Mass Haas]

13-3 victory for Surprise.

 

Logan Schafer singled and walked twice in six trips, Eric Farris singled and walked in his six plate appearances.

 

Lucas Luetge a scoreless frame, Mike McClendon one run allowed.

 

Season finale for the Brewer players is Thursday, a seven-inning game.

 

Peo Saguaros Bottom of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Lucas Luetge replaces Adalberto Flores.
  
• Leslie Anderson reaches on throwing error by shortstop Pete Kozma.
  
• Henry Wrigley flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Andy Parrino grounds out softly, catcher Tony Cruz to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Leslie Anderson to 2nd.
  
• Ben Revere walks.
  
• Eduardo Escobar flies out to left fielder Jared Bolden.

Peo Saguaros Bottom of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Mike McClendon replaces Brendan Wise.
  
• Henry Wrigley singles on a ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  
• Andy Parrino singles on a ground ball to right fielder Joey Butler. Henry Wrigley to 2nd.
  
• Ben Revere grounds out, second baseman Eric Farris to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Henry Wrigley to 3rd. Andy Parrino to 2nd.
  
• Eduardo Escobar grounds out, shortstop Pete Kozma to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Henry Wrigley scores. Andy Parrino to 3rd.
  
• Chris Parmelee flies out to left fielder Jared Bolden.

[Mass Haas]

Logan Schafer and Hunter Morris are in the starting lineup for the Surprise finale today (Gameday is underway as of 1:30 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Logan Schafer singled, walked, and had a fielding error in CF, Hunter Morris singled in three trips as Surprise played to a 3-3 tie in an uneventful end to the AFL season for the Brewer farmhands.

 

Until next fall, all you AFL fans...

[TooLiveBrew]

How serious is the 'Hunter Morris playing 3B' stuff? Is that basically just trying him out there in the AFL because why the heck not, or is this something the Brewers & Hunter want to commit to?

[battlekow]

Jonathan Mayo puts Jeremy Jeffress 7th on his list of standout AFL players ("Several factors were included in determining the final order, with an eye toward combining the prospect's status and upside with his performance in the league this fall."):

7. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: An abundance of power arms was a strength of this AFL crop, and Jeffress was the best of the bunch, hitting triple-digits often, even in the Rising Stars Game. Command's still an issue, but he's got "future closer" written all over him.

The only pitchers ahead of him on the list are the Royals' Mike Montgomery and the Yankees' Manny Banuelos.

[SenatorShriv]

I wasn't able to follow the league on a regular basis this season. Would someone who was able to follow along

More closely be able to give us a summary of what we learned about the players who participated? Obviously I can read the stats but I wondered if there was anything that those numbers might not tell us.

[And That]

My takeaways were:

 

- It was great to see Logan Schafer playing again. He's one of my favorites. Wonderful to see him taking walks. IMO, he's about as good a CF prospect as Lo Cain when healthy.

 

- It was frustrating as hell to see Lawrie skip out on the AFL.

 

- McClendon and Kintzler re-affirmed the Brewers' faith in their big league future. It's a tough go for pitchers in the AFL, and they shined.

 

- Dan Merklinger quite probably earned a 40-man spot due to his performance. I comped him to Chris Narveson earlier, has about the same velocity. Upside is a #4/#5 starter or a LOOGY, but clearly the Brewers think he's closer to the former at this point.

 

- While not a condemnation of his abilities, Luetge's performance was less than inspiring. I told myself that a good showing in the AFL would push him squarely into prospect status and into the Power 50. Unfortunately, not yet. I still like him, though.

 

- Love the Justin James pickup, but I'm ambivalent about his performance here.

 

- I'm slightly less not-sold on Mike Fiers than I was before. Thought his curveball may have been a plus pitch going into the AFL, but he hardly threw it. Fastball velocity was better than I thought it would be, but still not great (87-92), and don't know about stamina as a starter. He added a cutter mid-AFL season and it seemed to work. Scouts seemed to be unimpressed on the whole, but he keeps posting boggling peripherals. I don't see him as a starter, honestly, but I think he could end up being a decent reliever if his velocity jumps a few MPH in the pen.

 

- Jeffress was overpowering, especially at the end, and walked more guys than he pitched innings. I don't know if it was progress or not.

 

- Eric Farris is kind of the Mike Fiers of offense. No scouts like his bat, but he keeps hitting, he leads his AFL team in hitting even. His foot speed isn't overwhelming, but he steals a ton of bases at a ridiculous success rate. His defense is really good, almost no argument about it. If he'd play SS, he would probably be a top 10 prospect in the system. As it is, he's blocked by Weeks for about a year and by Lawrie potentially much longer.

 

- I think the Brewers really like Hunter Morris. Like, REALLY LIKE Hunter Morris. Don't know about the 3B thing, though. His comments about playing third is akin to just wearing another glove makes me think that defense isn't his thing. Scouts agree. Which makes him the prototypical Brewers prospect.

 

- In this age of aversion to batting average, the thing that bothers me about Caleb Gindl is his batting average. The further he gets up the food chain, the further the batting average limbo drops. That's troubling. A few years ago, I called him the Will Inman of the outfield. Unfortunately, I think this is where that could be going unless he figures out how to protect the plate against lefties and hit for more consistent power. The good news is that there is a lot of line-drive power in his bat, and he's only going into his 22 year old season. If he can play CF, which I think he could be good enough at (especially with his arm), he won't have to worry as much about his bat. Basically, I'm still as much in flux on my opinion of him as I was when we started the season... no, the regular season, in April.

[TooLiveBrew]

I think the Brewers really like Hunter Morris. Like, REALLY LIKE Hunter Morris.

 

I was excited about him when he was drafted. I'm glad to hear that you think he's impressed the F.O. --love 'em or hate 'em, they seem to scout bats well.