Arizona Fall League / Winter League Thread -- Full Brewers Details for Each Game

[Mass Haas]

Season starts this afternoon, Tue. 10/8.

 

Team schedule

 

Team Roster - Surprise Saguaros

 

One of a few writeups on the web previewing the Brewers' squad - Grading on The Curve.com

[Mass Haas]

Mitch Haniger in LF, batting 2nd today:

 

Box Score for Tue. 10/8

[Mass Haas]

Surprise Bottom of the 6th

 

Pitching Change: Adys Portillo replaces Kyle Hunter.

Garin Cecchini hit by pitch.

With Ryan Rua batting, Garin Cecchini steals (1) 2nd base.

Ryan Rua walks.

Brett Nicholas lines out to center fielder Aaron Altherr.

Joe Wendle walks. Garin Cecchini to 3rd. Ryan Rua to 2nd.

Tyler Naquin pops out to shortstop Nolan Fontana on the infield fly rule.

Mitch Haniger hits a grand slam (1) to left center field. Garin Cecchini scores. Ryan Rua scores. Joe Wendle scores.

Jonathan Schoop grounds out, shortstop Nolan Fontana to first baseman Japhet Amador.

 

***

 

Yeah, that'll do. Doubled in the first inning, too...

[Mass Haas]

Haniger backs Pena with Surprise slam

Brewers prospect hits go-ahead homer in AFL season opener

By Danny Wild / MiLB.com

 

Mitch Haniger watched Mickey Pena make a pretty good first impression in the Arizona Fall League on Tuesday. By the sixth inning, he added one of his own.

 

"It's definitely what you want, a good situation, bases loaded, I was looking for a pitch to drive and I got a good pitch to hit," said Haniger.

 

The Brewers outfield prospect hit a go-ahead grand slam and Red Sox lefty Mickey Pena pitched three perfect innings as Surprise held on to edge Peoria, 7-6, on Opening Day in the AFL.

 

Haniger, Milwaukee's supplemental first-round pick last year, gave Surprise the lead in the sixth inning when he knocked home Garin Cecchini (Red Sox), Ryan Rua (Rangers) and Joe Wendle (Indians) with his first career slam to left off Peoria reliever and No. 8 Padres prospect Adys Portillo. The left fielder, the Brewers' No. 12 prospect, finished 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs.

 

"It was a 3-1 fastball, middle-in. I'd never faced him before," Haniger said. "I'm just trying to keep everything simple, play the game I've played all year. Just trying to hit the ball hard each at-bat and keep it simple."

 

Pena, who went 7-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 18 starts between two levels this past season, held the Javelinas off base in his AFL debut, striking out one while throwing 19 of his 28 pitches for strikes. The former South Atlantic League All-Star retired Padres' No. 14 prospect Cory Spangenberg to begin a perfect first, struck out slugging cleanup man Japhet Amador (Astros) to start a 1-2-3 second and retired the side in the third, getting Cheslor Cuthbert (Royals), Padres' No. 2 farmhand Austin Hedges and Pat Kivlehan (Mariners) to end his day.

 

Pena, though, wasn't too familiar with his new competition, not even the more heralded names on Peoria's lineup card.

 

"Before the game, my pitching coach [steve Karsay] gave me a list of all the players. I don't really try to focus on that too much, because at the end of the day, I'm still going to attack hitters the way I'd attack them," he said. "Hedges, I didn't even know he was a top prospect for the Padres, so I treated him like any other hitter, attacking the zone."

 

Pena did get a tip on Amador, a first baseman who joined Houston after shellacking Mexican League pitchers with a .368 average, 36 homers and 121 RBIs in 104 games. He appeared in just 10 contests with Triple-A Oklahoma City before heading to Arizona.

 

"He had 36 homers in the Mexican League, so that stood out for me," Pena said. "I treated it the same, pounded the zone, elevated the ball and it worked to my advantage."

 

Both Pena and Haniger are in a new environment with new teammates, cities, hotels and coaches. It can be overwhelming for younger players and exciting at the same time.

 

"It's always great meeting new players, especially this great competition, it's been a lot of fun," Pena said. "It definitely gets you going before the game, it pumps you up and it's something I've looked forward to. Opening Day in the Fall League, it's a great feeling."

 

"It's pretty cool. I'm becoming more talkative and started to become friends with some guys," Haniger said. "And it's nice to know a few of the Brewers players before I came out here, I'm living with two of them, so it's been real fun. It's definitely different, but I'm really enjoying it."

 

Haniger, who doubled in Surprise's two-run first, was impressed with the Red Sox southpaw from his spot in left.

 

"He's real impressive. You can tell how he mixes pitches, he knows how to pitch," he said. "He goes inside, outside, keeps the hitters off balance and that helps him."

 

Pena said he used the same stuff that brought him success this past season with Class A Advanced Salem and Double-A Portland.

 

"I just go back to this season and really not trying to do too much, especially with the butterflies I had like in my Double-A debut," Pena said. "I was really pumped up, but I'm staying within myself and that helped me. Attacking hitters, keeping it as simple as possible -- it's no different from any other league. It's the same mound distance, just different hitters and better competition. Going into that first start, I was telling myself, 'Don't do too much, just go out and compete.'"

 

He said the talent level in Arizona is noticeably better than what he saw back on the East Coast.

 

"Just their caliber, you can tell they're a notch above everyone else, a lot stronger and smarter at the plate," he said. "They're really attacking the ball, so I was keeping it low and that's something that was part of my game plan going into today. Some of these guys have Major League time, that's what stood out the most for me."

 

Pena and Haniger professed to have similar goals in Arizona -- stay healthy and consistent.

 

"I think just having quality starts every game and staying within myself. At the end of the day, it's a game of failure. Staying consistent is key to me, as long as I keep attacking hitters, everything will turn out well," Pena said. "Definitely keep working hard and hopefully have a good outing every fifth day. And staying healthy, most importantly."

 

"Just to have good at-bats, swing at good pitches, hit the ball hard every time, help my team win," Haniger said. "There's a lot of good players out here, I think we can be a real good team."

 

Jason Adam, the Royals' fifth-round pick in 2010, started for Peoria and allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over three innings. Portillo (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on one hit and a pair of walks in one inning.

 

Cuthbert homered for Peoria, while Aaron Altherr (Phillies) and Jorge Bonifacio (Royals) each drove in two runs.

 

Mitch Haniger hit .264 with 11 homers and 68 RBI in the Minors in 2013. (Photo by Tom Hagerty)

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/4/6/62707846/cuts/Haniger_wz43k2kr_wogv0mys.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Excellent 1.2 innings for RHP Tyler Cravy, who inherited a bases-loaded, one-out jam, allowing only one sacrifice fly --

 

Peoria Top of the 4th

 

Pitching Change: Pete Ruiz replaces Miguel Pena.

Cory Spangenberg doubles (1) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin.

Nolan Fontana walks.

With Stefen Romero batting, Cory Spangenberg advances to 3rd on a balk. Nolan Fontana advances to 2nd on a balk.

Stefen Romero hit by pitch.

Japhet Amador pops out to second baseman Joe Wendle on the infield fly rule.

Aaron Altherr walks. Cory Spangenberg scores. Nolan Fontana to 3rd. Stefen Romero to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Pete Ruiz.

Jorge Bonifacio out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Nolan Fontana scores.

Cheslor Cuthbert lines out to right fielder Henry Urrutia.

 

Peoria Top of the 5th

 

Austin Hedges grounds out, third baseman Garin Cecchini to first baseman Brett Nicholas.

Patrick Kivlehan singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin.

Cory Spangenberg grounds into a double play, second baseman Joe Wendle to shortstop Jonathan Schoop to first baseman Brett Nicholas. Patrick Kivlehan out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Mitch Haniger in CF, batting 3rd Wednesday afternoon, Jason Rogers gets his first taste of the AFL, starting in LF, and batting 6th:

 

Box Score for Wed. 10/9

 

Rogers appeared at first base in 130 games in 2013, playing LF only twice. He has played LF in 66 of 316 career pro games, however, almost evenly split between 2011 and 2012.

[Mass Haas]

From Wednesday's box score -- Surprise now 2-0 after a 9-5 win

 

Seven RBI in two games? Say hi to your early AFL MVP, Mitch Haniger, 3-for-5, including a double. Jason Rogers doubled and singled in five trips.

 

Fireballing RHP Kevin Shackelford debuted with an eventful inning --

 

Peoria Bottom of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Matt West.

Jorge Bonifacio doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

With Lane Adams batting, wild pitch by Kevin Shackelford, Jorge Bonifacio to 3rd.

Lane Adams strikes out swinging.

Jonathan Meyer doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Jorge Bonifacio scores.

Jake Lowery grounds out, second baseman Mookie Betts to first baseman Travis Shaw. Jonathan Meyer to 3rd.

Orlando Calixte reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Jonathan Schoop. Jonathan Meyer scores.

With Delino DeShields batting, Orlando Calixte advances to 2nd on a balk.

Delino DeShields strikes out swinging.

 

RHP David Goforth closed out the win --

 

Peoria Bottom of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Ryan Harvey.

Jorge Bonifacio flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Lane Adams grounds out sharply, pitcher David Goforth to first baseman Travis Shaw.

Jonathan Meyer flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

 

Jason Rogers had some base hits go his way, but recorded no putouts in LF.

[Mass Haas]

Surprise's next nine games are all night affairs, 7:35 Central time.

 

Here's a link for Thursday night's box score in Glendale.

 

FYI, there are pitch-by-pitch Gameday links for most, if not all, AFL games, Wednesday's Gameday reveals Kevin Shackelford topped out at 93 MPH and David Goforth at an encouraging 96 MPH.

[Mass Haas]

More on the Surprise club and some of the Brewers via minorleagueball.com

[Mass Haas]

Mitch Haniger bats 3rd tonight, in RF (that's one game in each outfield spot).

 

Catcher Adam Weisenburger debuts tonight, batting 9th as the DH.

[Mass Haas]

Surprise dropped to 2-1 after an 11-0 loss Thursday (box score / game log / Gameday combined link). Fortunately, no Brewers pitchers were victimized (none appeared).

 

Mitch Haniger moved from RF to CF when Jason Rogers entered the game as a right fielder in the 3rd inning --

 

Glendale Bottom of the 3rd

 

Tucker Barnhart singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Mitch Haniger.

Micah Johnson lines out to right fielder Mitch Haniger.

Byron Buxton singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Tucker Barnhart to 3rd. Byron Buxton out at 2nd, first baseman Brett Nicholas.

Defensive Substitution: Jason Rogers replaces center fielder Tyler Naquin, batting 1st, playing right field.

Defensive switch from right field to center field for Mitch Haniger.

Colin Moran flies out to left fielder Henry Urrutia.

 

Gameday confirmed Cleveland's Tyler Naquin (15th pick overall, 2012) left with an injury. That's an odd play description with the out at 2nd, though.

 

Rogers would later garner an outfield assist:

 

Glendale Bottom of the 5th

 

Tucker Barnhart singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Rogers. Tucker Barnhart out at 2nd, right fielder Jason Rogers to shortstop Tony Wolters.

 

Rogers had two plate appearances (HBP, ground out).

 

Haniger walked in four trips to the plate (two K's, popout).

 

Adam Weisenburger's night -- walk, soft lineout, flyout, strikeout.

[Mass Haas]

Surprise's next nine games are all night affairs, 7:35 Central time.

 

Actually, MLB updated the schedule and there are several afternoon games coming up.

 

Friday night, however, Surprise hosts Mesa in an evening affair. Surprise's starter is listed as TBD. Maybe we'll see Taylor Jungmann.

 

For you later on Friday, a box score link.

[Mass Haas]

Joe Block pointed out Keith Law's comments from an ESPN ($) insider piece:

 

Brewers reliever David Goforth... was 94-98 mph with a solid-average slider at 85-86. He should appear... at some point in 2014.

[Mass Haas]

OK, so Mitch Haniger is among many competing in a competition in which, among other things, he'll try to send a batted ball to an outfielder on a trampoline.

 

Um, OK...

[Mass Haas]

David Goforth at an encouraging 96 MPH.

 

By the way, Happy 25th Birthday today (Friday the 11th), David!

[Mass Haas]

Wow, Mitch Haniger!

 

Surprise lost 7-3 to fall to 2-2 on the young AFL season, but Haniger was 4-for-4 with a double and run scored.

 

Mitch's OPS is now 1.526, 9-for-16 with three doubles, a HR (grand slam), and a walk. The 22-year-old (23 in December) played CF in this game.

 

Jason Rogers came in to play LF for Orioles' prospect Henry Urrutia in the 4th. Rogers would walk twice (each after a Haniger single), and lined out to center immediately following Haniger's double. So Jason is sporting a stylish .500 OBP after his first three AFL contests.

 

Rogers stole a base in the 6th. The 260-lb Rogers has stolen 31 bases in 40 attempts in his four-year pro career.

 

RHP Tyler Cravy is THE man for Surprise in getting out of bases-loaded jams. He'd go for a full inning after that as well.

 

Mesa Top of the 5th

 

Pitching Change: Trey Haley replaces Noe Ramirez.

Jorge Soler strikes out swinging.

C. J. Cron doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Jason Rogers, deflected by center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Kris Bryant grounds out, second baseman Mookie Betts to first baseman Jorge Alfaro. C. Cron to 3rd.

Steven Souza Jr walks.

With Wes Darvill batting, Steven Souza Jr steals (3) 2nd base.

Wes Darvill walks.

Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Trey Haley.

Jett Bandy grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Ryan Rua. Steven Souza Jr out at 3rd.

 

Mesa Top of the 6th

 

Dixon Machado walks.

Devon Travis flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Zach Borenstein lines out softly to second baseman Mookie Betts.

Jorge Soler grounds out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to first baseman Jorge Alfaro.

 

RHP's Kevin Shackelford and David Goforth also saw action -- Shackelford did well to limit the damage to one run, and Goforth continues to shine, with a 1-2-3 25th birthday outing.

 

Mesa Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Shawn Armstrong.

Dixon Machado walks.

Devon Travis doubles (1) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Dixon Machado scores.

With Zach Borenstein batting, Devon Travis steals (1) 3rd base.

Zach Borenstein grounds out, third baseman Ryan Rua to first baseman Jorge Alfaro.

Jorge Soler strikes out swinging.

C. J. Cron strikes out swinging.

 

Mesa Top of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Kevin Shackelford.

Kris Bryant grounds out, third baseman Ryan Rua to first baseman Jorge Alfaro.

Steven Souza Jr pops out to third baseman Ryan Rua.

Wes Darvill grounds out, second baseman Mookie Betts to first baseman Jorge Alfaro.

 

Here's the Gameday link where you can follow pitch type and speed - Goforth topping out at 96 MPH again, Cravy working magic at the 90-91 level and with his offspeed stuff. Shackelford low 90's.

 

***

 

The Fall League is idle this weekend. Taylor Jungmann gets the start in his AFL debut on Monday afternoon.

[Mass Haas]

Taylor Jungmann makes his AFL debut in a start this afternoon - you can follow Gameday via this box score at 1:35 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Taylor Jungmann makes his AFL debut in a start this afternoon

 

Nice...

 

Salt River Top of the 1st

 

Kenny Wilson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Tyler Naquin.

With Ryan Brett batting, Kenny Wilson steals (3) 2nd base.

Ryan Brett walks.

Jake Lamb strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Taylor Jungmann. Kenny Wilson to 3rd. Ryan Brett to 2nd.

Kyle Parker strikes out swinging.

Tim Wheeler grounds out, first baseman Travis Shaw to pitcher Taylor Jungmann.

 

Salt River Top of the 2nd

 

Stephen Piscotty singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin.

James Ramsey grounds out to first baseman Travis Shaw. Stephen Piscotty to 2nd.

Nick Ahmed grounds out, third baseman Garin Cecchini to first baseman Travis Shaw.

Derrick Chung strikes out swinging.

 

Salt River Top of the 3rd

 

Kenny Wilson strikes out on a foul tip.

Ryan Brett pops out to shortstop Tony Wolters.

Jake Lamb grounds out, second baseman Jonathan Schoop to first baseman Travis Shaw.

 

Thirty strikes in 43 pitches, comfort level throwing to teammate Adam Weisenburger. For the most part, was at 90-92 early, 89-91 later on.

 

Game still underway, more later...

[Mass Haas]

So far RHP Arcenio Leon, recently re-signed to a 2014 contract, is the only Brewer farmhand to make a winter ball appearance (Leon has made two already in Venezuela - player page is linked).

 

This thread will link to winter league news and updates on current Brewers. If a 2013 farmhand is scheduled to hit minor league free agency this fall, we won't be commenting here unless the player re-ups with the organization.

[Mass Haas]

Mitch Haniger, playing LF and again batting 3rd, lifted his OBP to .545 after five games with a single and walk in five plate appearances in Surprise's 3-2 loss (3rd defeat in a row for the 2-3 Saguaros). Catcher Adam Weisenburger walked and scored a run in four trips.

 

Taylor Jungmann's three innings was detailed above -- MiLB.com ran a feature:

 

Jungmann goes West, finds success

No. 2 Brewers prospect hurls three shutout frames for Sags

By Jake Seiner / MiLB.com

 

***

 

It's a rematch tonight in Salt River, you'll find a link to the box score / game log / Gameday here.

[Mass Haas]

Nice honor for Mitch Haniger

[Mass Haas]

Jason Rogers, starting in LF, the only Brewer to play in Surprise's 9-2 win.

 

Rogers hit a two-out, two-run ground ball single to right within a six-run 6th inning that broke the game open. Rogers also walked and fanned once, and sports a .900 OPS after four games (3-for-10 with a double, 3 BB's).

[Mass Haas]

It's a night game this evening, here's your box score link to the contest in Scottsdale.

[Mass Haas]

Hmmm - Scottsdale and Surprise, not to be confused with "

".

[Mass Haas]

Surprise lost 2-1 Wednesday, (box) as the Saguaros went 1-for-12 with RISP.

 

Mitch Haniger singled and fanned twice in four trips, batting cleanup and playing LF. Jason Rogers and Adam Weisenburger were idle.

 

Haniger's first K helped stifle an early rally that netted his club's only run.

 

Surprise Top of the 1st

 

Tyler Naquin singles on a line drive to left fielder Jarrett Parker.

Joe Wendle singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Robby Hefflinger. Tyler Naquin to 3rd.

Garin Cecchini singles on a line drive to left fielder Jarrett Parker. Tyler Naquin scores. Joe Wendle to 2nd.

Mitch Haniger called out on strikes.

Travis Shaw pops out to third baseman Kyle Kubitza in foul territory.

Michael Ohlman walks. Joe Wendle to 3rd. Garin Cecchini to 2nd.

Tony Wolters lines out softly to third baseman Kyle Kubitza.

 

***

 

Let's talk pitching, in particular RHP Tyler Cravy. In his first outing October 8th, the 6'3" 24-year-old entered a bases-loaded one-out situation, surrendering just one run on a sacrifice fly. Then, on October 11th, Cravy inherited a bases-loaded two-out jam and escaped. Here's what happened Wednesday --

 

Scottsdale Bottom of the 3rd

 

Kyle Kubitza singles on a ground ball to center fielder Tyler Naquin.

Mason Williams singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Garin Cecchini. Kyle Kubitza to 2nd.

Elmer Reyes flies out to right fielder Dariel Alvarez. Kyle Kubitza to 3rd.

Tommy La Stella grounds into a force out, second baseman Joe Wendle to shortstop Derrik Gibson. Kyle Kubitza scores. Mason Williams out at 2nd. Tommy La Stella to 1st.

Robby Hefflinger singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Tommy La Stella to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Eduardo Rodriguez.

Tyler Austin walks. Tommy La Stella to 3rd. Robby Hefflinger to 2nd.

Jarrett Parker strikes out swinging.

 

And like his previous two outings, Cravy would go on to pitch an additional scoreless inning to maintain his 0.00 ERA:

 

Scottsdale Bottom of the 4th

 

Andrew Susac grounds out, second baseman Joe Wendle to first baseman Travis Shaw.

Aderlin Rodriguez singles on a line drive to left fielder Mitch Haniger.

Kyle Kubitza grounds into a force out, first baseman Travis Shaw to shortstop Derrik Gibson. Aderlin Rodriguez out at 2nd. Kyle Kubitza to 1st.

With Mason Williams batting, Kyle Kubitza caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Tony Wolters to shortstop Derrik Gibson.

 

Unfortunately, RHP Kevin Shackelford has not found early success, surrendering a single run in each of his three inning-long outings thus far, and his run allowed in the 6th proved to be the difference in this game as he was saddled with the loss.

 

Scottsdale Bottom of the 6th

 

Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Shawn Armstrong.

Tyler Austin grounds out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to first baseman Travis Shaw.

Jarrett Parker singles on a line drive to left fielder Mitch Haniger.

With Andrew Susac batting, Jarrett Parker advances to 2nd on a balk.

Andrew Susac strikes out swinging.

Aderlin Rodriguez singles on a line drive to left fielder Mitch Haniger. Jarrett Parker scores. Aderlin Rodriguez to 2nd on the throw.

With Kyle Kubitza batting, passed ball by Tony Wolters, Aderlin Rodriguez to 3rd.

Kyle Kubitza walks.

Mason Williams grounds out, second baseman Joe Wendle to first baseman Travis Shaw.

 

Meanwhile, RHP David Goforth's super-strong start to the AFL season continued.

 

Scottsdale Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Noe Ramirez.

Andrew Susac called out on strikes.

Aderlin Rodriguez strikes out swinging.

Kyle Kubitza grounds out, shortstop Derrik Gibson to first baseman Travis Shaw.

 

Goforth has now retired all nine batters he's faced. Wednesday's Gameday didn't include pitch type nor speed info.