2016 Arizona Fall League updates

[Mass Haas]

From early AFL action --

 

 

 

[molitor fan]

people need to watch that Uhen video...he is FILTHY

[MrTPlush]

Oh Phillips why can't you bat more like Diaz.

[And That]

Uhen's slider is nice but his arm drops a bit when he throws it. That tell will get around pretty quickly unless he makes an adjustment.

[Mass Haas]

Oh Phillips why can't you bat more like Diaz.

 

VIDEO: Brett breaks down his own swing

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 7, Surprise Saguaros 6 (10 innings)

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

From Friday.

 

All Brewers offensive players had the day off for the first time this season.

 

Conversely, all three Brewers relievers pitched, and with good results. Josh Uhen went first, taking over in the bottom of the 4th. He allowed two singles and a walk over two innings of work, striking out three. Uhen's ERA dropped again, to 4.50. His fastball sat 94-96, though it tailed off towards the end of the outing, closer to 93. Sliders were 80-84.

 

Tayler Scott threw the 8th inning and allowed a single. Fastball velocity was down a little, to 90-91.

 

Tyler Spurlin got the save, pitching a scoreless bottom of the 10th. He hit the first batter he faced, the second batter lined into a double play, and the third batter grounded out. Velocity was down a little for Spurlin as well, about 88-91.

[And That]

AFL East All-Stars 4, AFL West All-Stars 12

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Brett Phillips and Jacob Nottingham represented the Brewers in the mid-season All Star game. Phillips went 0-2, striking out both times. Nottingham had an RBI double and a run scored in two ABs.

 

Rafters get back to it on Monday afternoon.

[MKE81]

Oh Phillips why can't you bat more like Diaz.

Why can't 90% of all lefties bat more like Diaz!! Such a smooth, sweet swing. Phillips still has some good looks to his swing just needs to be more consistent with couple tweaks

[jerichoholicninja]

AFL East All-Stars 4, AFL West All-Stars 12

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Brett Phillips and Jacob Nottingham represented the Brewers in the mid-season All Star game. Phillips went 0-2, striking out both times. Nottingham had an RBI double and a run scored in two ABs.

 

Rafters get back to it on Monday afternoon.

 

How do they pick all stars? Hasn't Phillips been terrible this fall?

[And That]

No idea offhand how they're chosen, but Phillips has a .434 OBP. Not too shabby.

[adambr2]

All of the 3 position players have done some things we can be happy with. Though Diaz hasn't lit up the box scores, I think the main thing we wanted to see from him in the AFL, much like Ray in Brevard this year, was to play competitively at that level and not be overwhelmed by the level of competition. I think Diaz has done exactly that, and even though the AFL is too small of a sample size to draw much from anyway, I think it bodes well for his advancement.

[JohnBriggs12]

All of the 3 position players have done some things we can be happy with. Though Diaz hasn't lit up the box scores, I think the main thing we wanted to see from him in the AFL, much like Ray in Brevard this year, was to play competitively at that level and not be overwhelmed by the level of competition. I think Diaz has done exactly that, and even though the AFL is too small of a sample size to draw much from anyway, I think it bodes well for his advancement.

 

Following the pair of Diaz and Erceg is something to really look forward to in 2017.

[MKE81]

All of the 3 position players have done some things we can be happy with. Though Diaz hasn't lit up the box scores, I think the main thing we wanted to see from him in the AFL, much like Ray in Brevard this year, was to play competitively at that level and not be overwhelmed by the level of competition. I think Diaz has done exactly that, and even though the AFL is too small of a sample size to draw much from anyway, I think it bodes well for his advancement.

Mayo even said regarding Phillips during the game broadcasted over past couple weeks that people shouldn't pay attention to Phillips stats as he's working on some mechanical adjustments and that his stats don't indicate how well he's actually been playing. Nottingham is killing it in the 9 games he has 1+ hits in but he also has 4-5 games where he's hitless. Needs to be more consistent obviously. Diaz has an OBP around 100pts higher than BA but people are impressed with his strike zone knowledge, plate discipline, approach, power and overall talent.

 

The game broadcasted showed Nottingham hitting an absolute bullet at the 3b that a nice play was made on so he's out. Phillips also hit a bullet up the middle and the pitcher got a glove on it like 2' behind him and it happened to drop right near him for the put out. These show up 0-1 in the box score but clearly they were great AB's you'd take every time.

[CheezWizHed]

Phillips also hit a bullet up the middle and the pitcher got a glove on it like 2' behind him and it happened to drop right near him for the put out. These show up 0-1 in the box score but clearly they were great AB's you'd take every time.

 

He also tattooed one pitch and hit a line drive out of the stadium, but pulled it just foul. Then struck out soon after. Another 0-1 AB, but hitting it well.

[Mass Haas]

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

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 5, Surprise Saguaros 8

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Salt River loses, but remains percentage points ahead of Mesa in the standings. Thanks, tie and cancelled game.

 

Isan Diaz went 2-5 with a strikeout. He also committed his fourth error at shortstop, which was part of the Saguaros' five run rally in the bottom of the eighth. It was listed as a missed catch in the box score, and an assist was given to the second baseman, so I wonder if they ran into each other. Diaz did start two double plays.

 

Brett Phillips got on base 3 more times, once on a single and twice via walk. That would be 14 walks in 38 AFL at-bats. He also stole a base, his 3rd in 5 attempts, scored twice, and tallied two RBIs.

 

Jacob Nottingham, at DH, went 1-4 with a single, RBI, and strikeout.

 

Javi Salas made his first non-starting appearance of the AFL season, and results again were not there as he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk in 2 innings. He struck out a batter and hit a batter.

 

Salt River plays again on Tuesday afternoon.

[FVBrewerFan]

Brett Phillips got on base 3 more times, once on a single and twice via walk. That would be 14 walks in 38 AFL at-bats.

 

This is encouraging.

[Jenkins5]

Brett Phillips got on base 3 more times, once on a single and twice via walk. That would be 14 walks in 38 AFL at-bats.

 

This is encouraging.

 

Another 4 Ks for Phillips today.... What is going on. He needs to drop his pull power approach and just go back to driving ball all over field, going with ball, hitting for average, and getting on base. I can deal with less power if he's hitting .290 & getting on base .400 again.

[MKE81]

Brett Phillips got on base 3 more times, once on a single and twice via walk. That would be 14 walks in 38 AFL at-bats.

 

This is encouraging.

 

Another 4 Ks for Phillips today.... What is going on. He needs to drop his pull power approach and just go back to driving ball all over field, going with ball, hitting for average, and getting on base. I can deal with less power if he's hitting .290 & getting on base .400 again.

Spot on. He was still hitting around 12-15HR when spraying it - there's nothing wrong with that when hitting 320

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via MLB Network Radio: Brewers OF Brett Phillips rates Bruce Chen's jokes on MLB Network Radio

[reillymcshane]

 

Another 4 Ks for Phillips today.... What is going on. He needs to drop his pull power approach and just go back to driving ball all over field, going with ball, hitting for average, and getting on base. I can deal with less power if he's hitting .290 & getting on base .400 again.

Spot on. He was still hitting around 12-15HR when spraying it - there's nothing wrong with that when hitting 320

Yeah, I don't know what has changed (if anything) with Phillips since Milwaukee acquired him. Perhaps it's just more advanced pitching. Or he's just selling out for more power. The amount of walks he took last year really shot up - maybe he's adopted an ultra patient approach - trying to work counts deep, that sort of thing. It's getting him walks - but a lot of strikeouts as well. Maybe it's a little of everything.

 

I just look at his A ball numbers and wonder what happened. Tons of doubles and triples. He had his HRs, but not a ton of them. Add in good speed and a great arm - that's an exciting player.

 

I don't know. I'm certainly not an expert at hitting, so watching video doesn't do a lot for me. But maybe some people with better judgement can see differences between his swing two years ago and today. I'd find that interesting.

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 5, Peoria Javelinas 4

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Rafters remain in first place by percentage points.

 

Brett Phillips struck out 4 times, but also managed a single and a run scored in 5 ABs.

 

Jacob Nottingham went 0-3, though he scored twice and walked once. Behind the plate, not so great. Two throwing errors to double his error total to 4, and opposing runners were successful in all 4 attempts against him. I'd have to go back through the box scores to get his exact CS%, but I'd guess it would have to be below 20%. No wild pitches or passed balls today, though.

 

Tyler Spurlin was the only Brewer to pitch, and was once again unscored upon, throwing two innings and allowing a single. He also struck out 2, and lowered his AFL ERA to 0.73. He retired all his non-strikeout victims on groundouts. His AFL GO/AO ratio is currently a robust 3.50.

 

Rafters play again on Wednesday afternoon.

[Mass Haas]

Frosty Microbrew: Spurlin, Salas and Uhen capitalize on AFL opportunity

By Kyle Lobner / Wisconsin Timber Rattler

 

Nice work, Kyle...

[And That]

Salt River Rafters 0, Glendale Desert Dogs 10

 

Box Score

 

Game Day

 

Rafters get blown out, but maintain first place lead by percentage points.

 

Isan Diaz lead off and played second base. He had a double in two official ABs, walked twice and struck out. He continues to play clean defensive at second, and started another double play.

 

Brett Phillips took an 0-4, though he only struck out once.

 

The Rafters allowed 10 runs, but no Brewers pitchers were involved.

 

Rafters play again Thursday night against Mesa in a first-place battle.

[Mass Haas]

Video via @Athorn5 (Aaron Thorn)