2016 Arizona Fall League updates

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Jonathan Mayo podcast with Brett Phillips, a good listen

[Mass Haas]

Salt River notes: Diaz widens horizons

Brewers No. 8 prospect splitting time at second and shortstop in AFL

By Michael Leboff / MiLB.com

[MKE81]

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.

Just to go AB by AB since I watched the entire game. Diaz walked his first 3 trips then had a rbi ground ball single up the middle then a sharp ground ball single through the IF to RF. Nottingham squared up a rocket to 3b his first AB resulting in rbi ground out then followed it up with a walk. Final 3 ABs were a shallow-ish fly ball to LC that almost fell in for a hit, K swinging then fly ball to RF that was about 10 feet too short from allowing Phillips to attempt tagging from 3rd. Phillips walked, 2rbi double to RF and hustled into 2b, barreled up a ball back up the middle and the pitcher got lucky with a glove on it (knocked his glove off actually) but unfortunately the ball landed near the pitcher for the easy put out, then walked in final AB. He hit a foul HR his first AB prior to the walk that you couldn't see land but the announcers said it was long gone. He shot off his bat like out of a cannon though.

[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.

 

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.

 

Bat on the shoulder and the to the hitting position same thing Hall did and his back leg also very similar to Hall's.

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 4, Glendale Desert Dogs 1

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Action from Friday as Salt River moves to 9-6:

 

Isan Diaz lead off, playing SS this time, and went 0-3. He reached via HBP, scored a run, and struck out. Also committed his third error at short.

 

Brett Phillips went 1-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

 

Tyler Spurlin with another good outing, throwing a scoreless inning with two groundouts and one flyout. ERA is down to 1.23.

 

Former Brewer 19th round pick (back in 2010) and former position player Rowan Wick has become a full time pitcher in the Cardinals organization, and threw a scoreless inning for Glendale.

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 3, Glendale Desert Dogs 6

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Rafter split a home-and-home with Glendale and fall to second place in the division.

 

Jacob Nottingham was the only Brewers position player to Saturday's game, and had a day to forget. Playing DH, he went 0-4 and took the golden sombrero with 4 Ks.

 

After two good starts to kick off his AFL season, Javi Salas turned in his second clunker in a row. The allowed 3 runs in 3 innings, with 3 walks, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts, and a hit batter. ERA came down a little to 9.31.

 

Josh Uhen backed him up in relief and allowed a run over two innings pitched. He gave up a double and a single, and struck out three.

 

After a day off on Sunday, the Rafters play again at Mesa on Monday afternoon in a battle for first place.

[Brewerswillsurprise]

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207694460/arizona-fall-league-fall-stars-game-rosters/?topicid=153494546

 

Congrats to Maverick and JNott

[reillymcshane]

Lots of Brewer questions in Fangraphs' Eric Longenhagen chat today:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eric-longenhagen-prospects-chat-meets-the-wolfman/

 

---

 

Q: What’s the ceiling for a guy like Brandon Woodruff?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Probably a #3

 

----

 

Q: Can you explain the struggles that Brett Phillips has had at the plate this year, and has this tarnished his prospect status?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Excessively deep load, noisy feet that leave no margin for error, timing-wise. Still has power , can still run, I just don’t think he’ll hit.

 

---

 

Q: Kodi Medeiros, Montee Harrison or Jake Gatewood…which of these three Brewer draft picks from a couple of years ago has the best chance to still live up to their high ceiling?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Harrison, his tools are by far the most insane of that grouping.

 

---

 

Q: What’s been your impression of Isan Diaz thus far in the AFL? I know he’s one of the younger guys there, but has he held his own?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Big bat speed and power, can run, will strike out. Top 100 guy for me.

 

----

 

Q: Were you able to see Lucas Erceg this fall in instructs? If so, what’s his ceiling?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: I was. He could be an above average regular. Great defense, 7 arm, plus power potential. He’s good.

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Was actually playing some SS too but I don’t think that will hold.

 

----

 

Q: Scouting report on Lewis Brinson? Does he have the tools there to potentially turn into a star player at the MLB level if he lives up to them?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Indeed.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eric-longenhagen-prospects-chat-meets-the-wolfman/

[Brewerswillsurprise]

With the way this guy answered some of these questions it's no wonder he is just a low level blogger. He should try taking to the time to actually scout these players and learn a little more about them and what they are working on than just spouting off to hear himself talk.

[And That]

With the way this guy answered some of these questions it's no wonder he is just a low level blogger.

?

 

Longenhagen as always struck me as pretty knowledgeable. As for "low level blogger" - he's a featured writer for one of the most well-known baseball websites out there, and used to write for ESPN to boot.

[MKE81]

Phillips has "noisy feet that leave no margin for error, timing-wise" - I don't get this. Look at Phillips video from last week and his feet don't move until his leg kick and even then his back foot is still until squashing. I'm shocked he got the excessively deep load part correct, which is what I said after watching the video - takes his hands back much too far. That's the biggest issue. There's nothing wrong with his feet. He's said in the past he doesn't like Phillips as a prospect so not a shocker he doesn't think he'll hit even though everyone else out there (coaches, team usa coaches, AFL coaches, Mayo, etc) all say he'll be average at worst.

 

Eric also suggested we might have already seen the best of Bickford and remarked he hasn't even hit AA yet as if that was a negative given he was a 1st rd pick last year and college kid. I was laughing when I read that part actually. If he continues to split levels he'll reach MLB as he's turning 23. He was inconsistent after the trade but previously in A/A+ with Giants he was pretty darn good and was 2-3yrs younger at both levels.

 

Harrison with "insane" tools? Maybe a couple (ie arm). But the guy was terrible in A ball at the age of 20. If he doesn't light Appleton on fire at 21 to start next year then it's not looking good for him. Kodi, in my unprofessional opinion, will reach the MLB level but in the pen. His plus fastball and plus slider are too good not to get him to the MLB level. He needs to make adjustments for his control and then everything will fall into place. Gatewood will never see MLB and I don't think Harrison will either

[MrTPlush]

Phillips has "noisy feet that leave no margin for error, timing-wise" - I don't get this. Look at Phillips video from last week and his feet don't move until his leg kick and even then his back foot is still until squashing.

 

I am guessing he doesn't like the leg kick since that is the only questionable thing with his feet.

[MKE81]

Phillips has "noisy feet that leave no margin for error, timing-wise" - I don't get this. Look at Phillips video from last week and his feet don't move until his leg kick and even then his back foot is still until squashing.

 

I am guessing he doesn't like the leg kick since that is the only questionable thing with his feet.

Its not the leg kick otherwise he would have stated that. Noisy feet refers to movement of the feet while in the stance, which adversely affects balance then snowballs into affecting timing. But his feet don't move in the AFL video.

 

Anyway, Phillips with a great game tonight. Now has the 4th highest OBP in the entire league among regulars (few others are higher but they've only played 5 games). Also is tied for league lead in walks (12) and has fewer K (10) than walks

[reillymcshane]

With the way this guy answered some of these questions it's no wonder he is just a low level blogger.

?

 

Longenhagen as always struck me as pretty knowledgeable. As for "low level blogger" - he's a featured writer for one of the most well-known baseball websites out there, and used to write for ESPN to boot.

I think Longenhagen does a pretty nice job. Unlike lots of people, he actually goes and scouts the players.

 

As to the answers, it's the format of a chat - quick hits - it's not the time for a lot of analysis. You take what you get.

 

I'm also happy he takes questions about Brewer players. So many times you read a chat transcript and it's the same questions about Boston or Yankee or whatever big market prospects.

[And That]

I've seen around 100 Phillips ABs this year and depending on what day it is, you are going to get anything from feet-planted leg wobbling to a front foot tap right up the point of delivery. It doesn't look like a timing tap, either, it looks more to me like antsy leg twitching. He has always seemed very fidgety in the batters box. Some people make that work - many don't. Between having trouble getting set and given how far his hands have to move back through the hitting zone, it's no wonder he has trouble making consistent contact.

 

All that said, the fact that he walks so much bodes very well if he's able to quiet his stance down and get quicker to the ball. He has a good idea at the plate. He's just making it too complicated on himself. If he's able to un-complicate, he has the opportunity to be a special offensive player, on top of being a really good defender.

[Madhawk23]

Not to toot my own horn, but every single one of those questions were mine! Ha. Usually when I submit questions to those prospect chats, I don't get a single one answered. So, I was shocked to see him answer every single one of my questions this afternoon.

[MrTPlush]

if he's able to quiet his stance down and get quicker to the ball.

 

Yah he needs someone to teach him to chill out and be consistent. I have also noticed he tends to be prone to being late. It is extremely frustrating to watch and is probably a good reason his SO% has spiked recently. I have a hard time envisioning him being much of an MLB hitter the way he bats right now. At worst the OBP and defense should make him a starter worthy outfielder with offensive upside.

 

I would probably peg him as something like a 2012 Carlos Gomez. 2-2.5 WAR player. At least that is what I would put the O/U at.

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 17, Mesa Solar Sox 2

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

It seems to me that offense has been down this year in the AFL from years past, and if that's the case, the Rafters' bats went old-timey and thundered their way past Mesa, and back into first place.

 

Perhaps unfortunately, only one of the Brewers' contingent was in the lineup for this romp. Brett Phillips, who was hitting .160 a few days ago, went 3-4 with a double, 2 walks, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBIs. All of the sudden Phillips is hitting .250 and carries an 819 OPS (including a .444 OBP - 12 walks in 32 AFL ABs). Phillips also stole a base.

 

Likewise, only one of the Brewers' contingent pitched in the win. Tayler Scott continued to impress, throwing 2 scoreless innings, allowing a single, a walk, and netting a strikeout. 3 of the 5 outs recorded in the field were ground balls, continuing a trend. Scott's AFL ERA dropped to 0.87 across 10 and a third innings pitched.

 

Salt River back at it on Tuesday afternoon.

[MKE81]

I've seen around 100 Phillips ABs this year and depending on what day it is, you are going to get anything from feet-planted leg wobbling to a front foot tap right up the point of delivery. It doesn't look like a timing tap, either, it looks more to me like antsy leg twitching. He has always seemed very fidgety in the batters box. Some people make that work - many don't. Between having trouble getting set and given how far his hands have to move back through the hitting zone, it's no wonder he has trouble making consistent contact.

 

All that said, the fact that he walks so much bodes very well if he's able to quiet his stance down and get quicker to the ball. He has a good idea at the plate. He's just making it too complicated on himself. If he's able to un-complicate, he has the opportunity to be a special offensive player, on top of being a really good defender.

I watched a handful of his videos going back to June 2014 and he's definitely changed his swing since coming over. A couple years ago he had a wider base, slightly open, didn't take hands back as far (and in turn, back shoulder didn't turn back as far). Now he's more upright, closed it up from open to neutral positioning, pointed his back foot more on an angle to home plate and takes his hands back farther (shoulder turns deeper). Not sure if this was to generate more power or what but it's different. Leg kick there isn't much of a difference. He looked more athletic in his other stance. Sometimes his bat head stays more on an angle from start through swing and other times (like AFL video) his barrel starts upright and stays there at start of swing. Sometimes he has lower body and/or foot movement other times he doesn't. It's weird. He has some kinks but I agree with you that he gets in his own way. These are all minor tweaks that can be made making a good amount of difference giving him more success.

[markedman5]

http://2080baseball.com/reports/jacob-nottingham/

[MrTPlush]

http://2080baseball.com/reports/jacob-nottingham/

 

Dang a back-up catcher with average defense! That has to get one excited.

[JohnBriggs12]

http://2080baseball.com/reports/jacob-nottingham/

 

Dang a back-up catcher with average defense! That has to get one excited.

 

Relax, they only gave up a 42 HR, 102 RBI controllable bat in his prime to get him.

[MilwaukeesBest]

http://2080baseball.com/reports/jacob-nottingham/

 

Dang a back-up catcher with average defense! That has to get one excited.

 

Relax, they only gave up a 42 HR, 102 RBI controllable bat in his prime to get him.

 

*Gave up a guy who didn't have a roster spot on our rebuilding team*

 

There you go.

[PrestigeWorldwide]

After reading post #96, I have never been more sure of anything in my life that I'd shortly be reading what was written in post #97, and by whom it would be written.

[MrTPlush]

After reading post #96, I have never been more sure of anything in my life that I'd shortly be reading what was written in post #97, and by whom it would be written.

 

I was soon regretting my post when I realized it would wake up the Davis monster in Briggs.