2012 Arizona Fall League / Latin Winter League Thread

[nate82]

Thanks for the updates Tedaldtada, it's much appreciated.

 

No problem.

 

Word his Jimmy Nelson is starting today. Naturally, they are calling for rain in Phoenix. Hope they get it in.

 

Sky looks rather clear right now. At least from what I can see in downtown Phoenix.

[WV Brew]

Kjellgaard with two HRs. Bucci and Manzanillo trouble with the long ball and Hellweg and Heckathorn with clean innings.

[Tedaldtada]

Phoenix 13 Scottsdale 3 F/9 (from 10/12)

 

Box Score

 

Jimmy Nelson got the start and was very impressive. His final line: 4 IP 3 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 3 K. His most impressive feat was picking off super-burner Billy Hamilon at 2B. With the overflowing rosters in the AFL, I would not expect many of Nelson's outings to last longer than this one.

 

Hunter Morris racked up another 4 AB's before being PH for late. Morris managed a single hit. Khris Davis was more productive. He rapped out 2 H including a 2B. The best Brewers player on the day was Josh Prince. From the leadoff spot, he went 4-5. Interestingly, Josh never had the chance to attempt a steal, although strong-armed C Tommy Joseph might have deterred him a bit.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

 

Of course there was no velocity readings on Gameday for this one. smh

 

Mesa 8 Phoenix 3 (from 10/13)

 

Box Score

 

Nick Bucci got the start on Saturday and he was impressive despite giving up 1st inning 2-0ut 2-run homer to big bopper Jonathan Singleton. He finished with 3 IP 2 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 4 K 1 HR and 1 HBP. One gets the distinct feeling that Bucci will have a Fiers-esque impact as a prospect. Just don't let anyone tell you that Bucci 'came out of nowhere'. Us minor league wonks have had high hopes for a while now.

 

Kyle Heckathorn relieved Nick and threw another scoreless innings. Santo Manzanillo struggled once again to get 2 outs. Can't help but think Santo might have been able to help the Brewers pen this year if it not for that car accident. Johnny Hellweg pitched the final frame in impressive fashion.

 

Josh Prince was on 3 more times with 2 H and a HBP. and notched his 3rd SB on the young season. A huge day for Brock Kjeldgaard starting for Hunter Morris at 1B. He socked 2 HR to to improve his league leading total of 3. I sure hope Morris is okay having been PH for on Friday and getting the day off on Saturday.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

 

No velo readings here either. Grrr. On a day when we have 4 pitchers going.

[bobbledude25]

Heading to the AFL on Saturday! Can't Wait

[DHonks]

bobbledude...seriously? the only people at the games normally are some scouts (not many) and baseball personnel, ASU girls wanting to be trophy wives, a few retirees, and the autograph hounds that hang outside the locker rooms. The night games in Scottsdale can be fun, but you're in for a very crazy vibe if you go to AFL games. The reported attendance usually includes players, managers/coaches, concession workers, clubbies, grounds crew, etc. Have fun. Weather has been nice lately.

[Tedaldtada]

Salt River 4 Phoenix 2

 

Box Score

 

Not much in this one. Hunter Morris was back in the lineup and went 1-3 with a BB. Hunter is sporting a dirty little 'stache for the Fall League it appears.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/components/events/winterleagues/common/milb_mugshot_validator.jsp?winurl=http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/offseason/ph_519051.jpg&milburl=http://www.milb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_519051.jpg

 

Through 5 games, Morris has 5 hits and a 3:3 BB:K ratio.

 

King Krush Davis went 0-3 with a HBP out of the 8-hole. He was lifted for a pinch runner. Josh Prince again led off and reached once on a BB. He also chucked out Blue Jays stud Jake Marisnick at the plate from RF. That is Josh's 3rd position played in Arizona.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

[Patrick425]

bobbledude...seriously? the only people at the games normally are some scouts (not many) and baseball personnel, ASU girls wanting to be trophy wives, a few retirees, and the autograph hounds that hang outside the locker rooms. The night games in Scottsdale can be fun, but you're in for a very crazy vibe if you go to AFL games. The reported attendance usually includes players, managers/coaches, concession workers, clubbies, grounds crew, etc. Have fun. Weather has been nice lately.

 

I'd love to go to some of those games!

 

I probably mentioned this last year during the AFL and people will think I'm nuts, but maybe someone out there remembers this. I want to say 4 or 5 years ago (however, sometimes I lose track of the years and maybe it was more like 8 years ago) they actually broadcasted (I guess that's not a word??...I hate the English language sometimes!) some of the AFL games over the internet. The funny thing was that Pat Sejak was the announcer. Really, I didn't dream this and I'm not making it up. I also want to say that it wasn't just a few games. I think they pretty much had one game every day on the internet.

[Mass Haas]

Back in 2002, Sajak had a regular gig with MLB Radio (which was online only, not like the current XM/Sirius status).

 

And yes, MLB did used to broadcast games fairly regularly, I want to say about four-five per week.

[nate82]

Back in 2002, Sajak had a regular gig with MLB Radio (which was online only, not like the current XM/Sirius status).

 

And yes, MLB did used to broadcast games fairly regularly, I want to say about four-five per week.

 

The MLB Network last year aired a few games last year if I remember correctly. I know they had the championship game on TV and at least one or two more.

[DHonks]

Brett Dolan (now of the Astros) broadcast games in--I think--2004, 2005, and 2006 when I worked in the league.

[AZBrewCrew]

I believe I remember seeing MLB Network crews at the Rising Stars games the last few years as well. As for the ASU girls that show up to the games (my friend and I call them scouts) they are pretty easy to pick out of the crowd. Generally way overdressed and dont really have much of an idea whats going on in the game or who is playing.

[Tedaldtada]

Phoenix 3 Salt River 3 F/10

 

Box Score

 

Hunter Morris went 0-5 with 4 K. It happens sometimes. Josh Prince PH late and got a H.

 

On the mound, Kyle Heckathorn could not finish an inning. He gave up 2 H 2 R and 2 BB. Johnny Hellweg pitched the 8th and 9th and gave a up a H with 2 BB and 2 K while keeping Salt River off the scoreboard.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

[Tedaldtada]

Surprise 7 Phoenix 3

 

Box Score

 

Santo Manzanillo is not off to the best start in the AFL. He failed to complete an inning for the 3rd straight time while allowing a bunch of runners and runs. Gameday had Manzanillo sitting 93-94 on his 4-seam, 89 on his 2-seam/cutter and he even mixed in a 90 MPH slider. That velocity is down a full grade at least from where he was in 2011.

 

Josh Prince led off and went 1-4. RF again for Josh. Brock Kjeldgaard and Khrush Davis hit 4-5 in the order and went 0-7 with a BB and a HBP. Hunter Morris got a breather after his 4 K day.

 

The Brewers gang has been playing good D thus far with 0 errors that I have noticed.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Santo Manzanillo is not off to the best start in the AFL. He failed to complete an inning for the 3rd straight time while allowing a bunch of runners and runs. Gameday had Manzanillo sitting 93-94 on his 4-seam, 89 on his 2-seam/cutter and he even mixed in a 90 MPH slider. That velocity is down a full grade at least from where he was in 2011.

 

Something to keep an eye on, injury a possibility, or actually, a likelihoood.

[TheCrew07]

Manzanillo hasn't been right since the accident, so much for those assurances that his shoulder would be okay for spring training and he'd hit the ground running... Why not just shut him down and let him get back at it next season? Or maybe look again at the shoulder and see if surgery is actually necessary?

 

His velocity has been down and he's pitched like garbage all year, it wouldn't surprise me if he's been playing with an injury all season... pitchers that young don't lose 5 MPH on the heater in a single off-season (unless performance enhancing drugs are a factor).

[bobbledude25]

bobbledude...seriously? the only people at the games normally are some scouts (not many) and baseball personnel, ASU girls wanting to be trophy wives, a few retirees, and the autograph hounds that hang outside the locker rooms. The night games in Scottsdale can be fun, but you're in for a very crazy vibe if you go to AFL games. The reported attendance usually includes players, managers/coaches, concession workers, clubbies, grounds crew, etc. Have fun. Weather has been nice lately.

 

 

Sorry, forgot to mention this isn't my first time. I have family down there and I - who is a die hard baseball fan enjoy going to these games as do the 200 other or so fans in attendance. Great weather and great parks. I think it pretty cool seeing the future of MLB come up through this program ( saw some guys named Harper and Trout last year, no scouts to see those guys of course lol). Not to mention the players the Brewers send here as well. No clue what you're talking about with a "crazy vibe" but if you haven't figured it out by now, to answer your question - yeah, seriously.

[DHonks]

bobbledude25...don't get me wrong. I've gone to plenty of games besides the 3 seasons I worked in the league. My unfortunate moment was when I broke the news that JJ Hardy hurt his shoulder in a game. Of course, I also thought Weeks played pretty well at SS. The crazy vibe is because for most games (except Surprise and Scottsdale) there are 20 fans there, everyone can hear eachother, etc. It's really like being at a high quality HS game, only without the mom's cheering and the dad's screaming at the ump. Most of the games tend to be offensive, as teams send top-flight hitters and B/C-type pitchers. And the reporting out of the AFL can be amusing (I remember asking Ryan Howard if he owned an OF glove. He said he didn't have one with him in AZ. I pointed out that one of the websites was claiming he was working out in the OF during drills so that the Phillies could keep him and Thome. He laughed and asked if I'd seen him in the OF, because that was the truth). In the AFL one year we had a slight boost in attendance cause we had the Dbacks on the team, but I think most were there to get Jenny Finch's autographs at each game. The Dbacks were some good guys that year....I really hoped we could trade for an A-ball kid named Miguel Montero. He mostly rode the bench, but he was such a great rah-rah team player that you instantly knew Miggy had a chance.

 

Anyways, enjoy the games. I was just shocked because I've never heard of anyone coming to town to watch the AFL.

[Tedaldtada]

Phoenix 2 Surprise 2

 

Box Score

 

Hunter Morris went 2-4 with a BB to break out of a cold spell.

 

Jimmy Nelson started and went 3 innings. He gave up 2 H 1 R 1 BB and 2 WP with only 1 K.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

 

No velo's today. Color me unimpressed.

[Mass Haas]

Just a note: If you read the linked game story in the Rule 5 protection thread, you saw this:

 

Fellow Brewers farmhand Brock Kjeldgaard homered in the sixth (4th this fall) to reduce the deficit to 11-5 and Josh Prince laced a two-run triple -- his second AFL extra-base hit -- as part of four-run seventh that got the Javs within 11-9.

 

"He threw a first-pitch changeup for a ball, then a fastball right down the middle that I took for some reason," Prince said, referring to Twins left-hander Caleb Thielbar. "I was just looking for something I could drive and at 3-1 he threw me a fastball middle-in. I didn't try to do too much and luckily put the bat on the ball and put it somewhere they were not at."

 

That would be Brewer draft classmates Prince (3rd round) and Thielbar (18th round). Each played for Helena in 2009, but not at the same time, so technically they were never affiliate teammates. The southpaw Thielbar did a nice job of bouncing back via indy ball, a pickup by the Twins, and now a Fall League gig.

[Tedaldtada]

Planning on getting everyone updated today!

[Tedaldtada]

Phoenix 10 Mesa 6 (10/19)

 

Box Score

 

Nic Bucci: 3 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 3 K 3:0 GO:FO

Kyle Heckathorn: 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 BB 1 K

 

Josh Prince: 1-4 BB SB

Hunter Morris: 1-5 2B

Khris Davis: 2-4 BB

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

 

*****

 

Phoenix 12 Peoria 11 (10/20)

 

Box Score

 

Josh Prince: 3-3 2B 3B 2 BB 2 CS 1 Pickoff

Khris Davis: 2-4 BB

Brock Kjeldgaard: 1-5 HR (4)

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

 

*****

 

Phoenix 5 Scottsdale 1 (10/22)

 

Box Score

 

All four Brewers hitters in the same lineup? Cool!

 

Josh Prince: 2-4

Hunter Morris: 3-5 SB

Brock Kjeldgaard: 1-3 BB

Khris Davis: 0-3

 

Kyle Heckathorn: 1.2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 BB 1 K WP 2:2 GO:FO

Jimmy Nelson: 2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 BB 4 K 1:0 GO:FO

Johnny Hellweg: 2 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 0 K 4:0 GO:FO (Plus a saving 1-6-3 DP)

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

 

Curse the Gameday velocity gods!

[Mass Haas]

Morris finds rhythm as Dogs drop Scorpions

Reigning Southern League MVP settles in as third week of AFL gets underway

[Tedaldtada]

Phoenix 7 Mesa 7 F/10

 

Box Score

 

Hunter Morris went 1-6 with dropping his average all the way to .279. Josh Prince scored a run and nabbed his 6th SB after being inserted as a PR.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

 

*****

 

Phoenix 15 Surprise 1

 

Box Score

 

Simple, remove the Southern League MVP, score 15 runs. I just want to remind all that nothing much can be learned from AFL stats, good or bad. The scouting reports are much more important in this context. The main reason; look at that motley crew of pitchers the Surprise team trotted out today. These are not top prospects folks.

 

Josh Prince (3-5 2B BB), Khris Davis (2-5 BB), and Brock Kjeldgaard (4-6 CS PO) were simply unstoppable. You can find Josh's and Brock's name plastered all over the hitting leader boards at this point. Very impressive, yet informatively worthless.

 

Nick Bucci started for the Desert Pooches and he was dandy. 4 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 6 K 1 HR 2 WP 3:2 GO:FO.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

 

The HR Bucci gave up was on a 90 MPH cutter. His FB sat 89-92 all 4 innings. He showed an 80 MPH change and slider along with a mid-70's CB.

[markedman5]

What are the expectations for Prince? Utility guy? Best position?

 

Tom ‏@Haudricourt

#Brewers prospect Josh Prince also doubles in his second at-bat in AFL today. Now batting 488. It's getting crazy

[ramssuperbowl1999]

Comment From Clayton

I know he's old for a prospect, but why has no one really talked about Khristopher Davis? Guy seems to outproduce his tools at every level & has a chance to start off in The Show next year...

 

Mike Newman: I think you answered your own questions. Back in July, Davis was promoted just a few days before I headed to Huntsville. I was hoping to see him play, but wound up sitting with a scout who didn't have much to say about him other than he didn't understand how Davis was having success.

 

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/mike-newman-prospects-chat-102512/

 

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