2016 Arizona Fall League updates

[reillymcshane]

Couple of Brewer related question in Eric Longenhagen's Fangraph's prospect chat:

 

Question: Any Brewers prospects standing out in the Fall League?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Isan Diaz for the right reasons, Jake Nottingham for the wrong ones.

 

And...

 

Question: Your best outfield arm in the minor leagues is…

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Monte Harrison

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eric-longenhagen-prospects-chat-all-eyes-on-mesa/

[MKE81]

What is he specifically referring to regarding Nottingham - solely his defense?

*edited for wording mix up

[And That]

What he is specifically referring to regarding Nottingham - solely his defense?

I would guess so. He's been ok with the bat and I've never heard that he has attitude problems.

 

FWIW, he's allowed two stolen bases today in two attempts, and has a passed ball for the second game in a row. He's also been behind the plate for two wild pitches.

[MKE81]

What he is specifically referring to regarding Nottingham - solely his defense?

I would guess so. He's been ok with the bat and I've never heard that he has attitude problems.

 

FWIW, he's allowed two stolen bases today in two attempts, and has a passed ball for the second game in a row. He's also been behind the plate for two wild pitches.

Prior to today's game, statistically, he's seemed fine regarding passed balls. Wild pitches, stolen bases we can't understand why unless we witness it or there's legitimate reporting on it. So if he's making these remarks he's got to be continuing his defensive performance from this past year. He's got a couple more years to figure it out if he wants to stay there.

[Hammer]

Is it just me or are Brett Phillips's hands really "loud". To me, it looks like there is a lot of motion and timing perfection needed to get that swing to the zone...

[WV Brew]

I absolutely agree with that Hammer. I've seen him moving the bat around as the pitch is on the way to the plate. That may be a lot of his problem last year.

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 2, Peoria Javelinas 8

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

The team with the best record in the AFL puts another win on the board, as the now 9-1 Peoria Javelinas beat up on our Salt River Rafters.

 

Jacob Nottingham was the only Brewers position player to appear. He was hitless in 4 ABs, with a strikeout. As mentioned above, both runners attempting to steal a base off of him were successful, he allowed his second passed ball in as many games behind the dish, and also "allowed" two wild pitches. It's difficult to know how responsible he was for the stolen bases and wild pitches, but the note from Eric Longenhagen above is not encouraging. Nottingham's fall league OPS is down to 637.

 

Javi Salas got his third start and for the first time got hit around. He did not make it through the first inning, allowing 6 runs on 4 hits, 3 walks, and a strikeout. A grand slam was mixed in there as well.

 

Salt River plays second-place Mesa this afternoon at 2:35 CDT.

[Mass Haas]

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 7, Mesa Solar Sox 6

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Walk-off win for the Rafters.

 

Jacob Nottingham played catcher again and went 2-4 with a double, run scored, and strike out. One runner tried to steal a base against him, and succeeded. No wild pitches or passed balls allowed.

 

Brett Phillips continues to struggle mightily at the plate, goes hitless again. Though he was productive. Phillips was 0-1 with a walk, RBI, run scored, sac fly, and sac bunt. The sac bunt was part of the 9th inning rally for the Rafters.

 

Tyler Spurlin was the lone Brewers pitcher in Tuesday's game. He gave up his first run of the AFL season, allowing a single, a double, and a walk while striking out one. He also induced a double play in the middle of that inning.

 

Rafters play again Wednesday afternoon.

[And That]

In today's game, Josh Uhen gives up a run in the 4th but his fastball was a consistent 95-97. Slider at about 84-85.

 

Isan Diaz has his first two AFL walks in his first two plate appearances.

[MrTPlush]

Brett Phillips swing is very loud/frantic in general. I don't mind the hands too much, but I really really REALLY hate his leg kick. It takes too long for him to actually load the bat and get it into the zone. He has serious air time with his leg up in the air. He needs a more toned down approach or the low average and strikeouts are going to continue.

 

Not sure when it started, but the high leg kick seems to be something new. If you watch the video below frame by frame it is very easy to see last year he kept his foot/heel closer to the ground. Not sure the reason for the change as his swing looks a lot better before. It just looks more fluid, keeps the bat back, and gets it into the zone more.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQXu20Faf0M

 

I don't know maybe it is just me, but not a fan of the leg kick.

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 1, Glendale Desert Dogs 6

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Salt River falls to 8-5-1.

 

Light Brewers participation today. Isan Diaz lead off and once again played second base, and went 0-3 with two walks and a strikeout. Clean defense.

 

As mentioned a few posts above, Josh Uhen pitched one inning, and gave up a run on a hit and a walk, and struck out one. If his slider is decent and he can start locating better, he certainly has the stuff to make it. I haven't seen him pitch in a few years though.

 

The Rafters are back and it and back on TV! (well, MLB.com) at 8:35 CDT Thursday night.

[Mass Haas]

Frosty Microbrews: Diaz Turning Heads in Arizona

By Kyle Lobner / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

[Mass Haas]

TWEET: Jacob Nottingham swing

[MKE81]

Brett Phillips swing is very loud/frantic in general. I don't mind the hands too much, but I really really REALLY hate his leg kick. It takes too long for him to actually load the bat and get it into the zone. He has serious air time with his leg up in the air. He needs a more toned down approach or the low average and strikeouts are going to continue.

 

Not sure when it started, but the high leg kick seems to be something new. If you watch the video below frame by frame it is very easy to see last year he kept his foot/heel closer to the ground. Not sure the reason for the change as his swing looks a lot better before. It just looks more fluid, keeps the bat back, and gets it into the zone more.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQXu20Faf0M

 

I don't know maybe it is just me, but not a fan of the leg kick.

While he does have a higher leg kick it's not much higher than previous. It's slightly higher. And there's zero correlation between leg kicks and load. Leg kicks are merely for timing. Watching the video from AFL on the previous page of this thread the only issue I have is with how far he takes his hands back, which leads to him fully straightening his front arm before throwing his hands forward. If he shortens that up he'll be quicker to the ball and more athletic with his swing. I like how he starts and finishes through contact though. You'll notice Diaz has a slight bend to his front elbow, Moncada even more bend. Nottingham gets a little straight with his front arm too at times but his best swings have slight bend to it.

[Mass Haas]

Thank you, @BobbyDeMuro

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLeErEgJkJQ

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0Ge49yHSYw

[Mass Haas]

[MrTPlush]

Tim Tebow stole 2nd on Nottingham.

[MKE81]

Tim Tebow stole 2nd on Nottingham.

Let's provide context instead of painting Nottingham with the garbage-behind-the-plate brush like a lot of people do on this board. Tebow had a great jump. Fastball was in the dirt. Nottingham made a great backhand pick, relatively quick release on that type of pick then threw a strong one hopper on the money. And not an in-between difficult pick. It was far enough out in front that EVERY MLB infielder makes that play. The 2b who picked the ball brought his glove back and up upon picking it instead of taking it straight down. If he takes it straight down Tebow is easily out by 1-2 feet. Nottingham also looked much better behind the plate than his counterpart (Taylor Ward - 1st rd pick last year)

[brewmann04]

Thank you for that insight

[MrTPlush]

Tim Tebow stole 2nd on Nottingham.

Let's provide context instead of painting Nottingham with the garbage-behind-the-plate brush like a lot of people do on this board. Tebow had a great jump. Fastball was in the dirt. Nottingham made a great backhand pick, relatively quick release on that type of pick then threw a strong one hopper on the money. And not an in-between difficult pick. It was far enough out in front that EVERY MLB infielder makes that play. The 2b who picked the ball brought his glove back and up upon picking it instead of taking it straight down. If he takes it straight down Tebow is easily out by 1-2 feet. Nottingham also looked much better behind the plate than his counterpart (Taylor Ward - 1st rd pick last year)

 

It was a joke take a breather.

 

He looked good last night, but unfortunately he wasn't getting anything in the dirt to really challenge him. So that was a bit dissapointing. His pitch framing skills seem to be solid.

[nate82]

Isan Diaz left handed hitting version of Bill Hall?

 

Stances are very similar at least though Hall's had a more open front foot compared to Diaz. But watching Diaz hit has reminded me a lot of Hall.

[jerichoholicninja]

Isan Diaz left handed hitting version of Bill Hall?

 

Stances are very similar at least though Hall's had a more open front foot compared to Diaz. But watching Diaz hit has reminded me a lot of Hall.

 

I didn't see any Bill Hall. My first thought was Robinson Cano and then the announcers spent a whole AB talking about how he studies Cano.

[MKE81]

Isan Diaz left handed hitting version of Bill Hall?

 

Stances are very similar at least though Hall's had a more open front foot compared to Diaz. But watching Diaz hit has reminded me a lot of Hall.

 

I didn't see any Bill Hall. My first thought was Robinson Cano and then the announcers spent a whole AB talking about how he studies Cano.

Definitely see the Cano resemblance. There's nothing about Diaz, stance/swing or otherwise, that resembles Hall to me. He should turn out to be a very good player. He's polished already.

 

I agree, Plush, that Nottingham appears to have solid pitch framing/receiving skills. The 2 throws I saw from him seemed to show a good enough arm too. His release and footwork need to improve a tad. Blocking balls seems to be his biggest issue. He blocked a few last night very well but there are others (even going back to the first game that was broadcast) where the footwork isn't there or he gets down on one leg instead of dropping to both knees. These are very correctable but the effort has to be put in on his end to have it translate to the field.

 

The announcers spoke well of all 3 Brewers position players even though their numbers aren't eye popping by any means. T.Scott pitched well last night too. Not sure if he'll be an effective pen arm in MLB though - time will tell.

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 7, Scottsdale Scorpions 9

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Not sure if the game will be archived, but I will try to find a link. I did not get a chance to catch any of the game, so thank you for the comments from the people who did.

 

Rafters lose after blowing a 7th-inning lead. Thankfully no Brewers pitchers were involved in the late game collapse. The only Brewer pitcher to get in the game, as mentioned, was Tayler Scott, who added 2 and 1/3 innings of shutout ball to his growing AFL resume. I still haven't seen him pitch, so hopefully there is indeed an archive. Scott allowed a single and a walk in his outing, along with getting two strikeouts.

 

Isan Diaz (DH), Jacob Nottingham ©, and Brett Phillips (RF) were all in the lineup. Diaz was the most impressive of the group, reaching base in all five plate appearances on 2 singles and 3 walks. That would be five walks in the past two games. Nottingham did not get a hit, though he did reach base via walk, and had an RBI on a ground out. Opposing runners were 3-3 against him in stolen base attempts. Brett Phillips went 1-2 and reached two more times via walk. He's only batting .160, but has a .371 OBP - he's really Walshing right now. His hit was a double, and he had 2 RBIs. Diaz successfully stole his first base of the AFL year, and Phillips unsuccessfully stole his second.

 

Salt River plays again on Friday afternoon.