Arizona Fall League

[damuelle]

Three Brewer MILB players saw action for the Salt River Rafters in the season opener of the Arizona Fall League. The Rafters defeated the Peoria Javelinas 6-5 via a 4-pitch walk-off walk by none other than ex-Brewer Cooper Hummel:

 

- Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 0-4, walk, RBI

- Joey Wiemer - PR

- Taylor Floyd - clean 7th inning to keep the Rafters in it: 1.0 inning, no baserunners, 2 Ks

 

I'll also mention that the Rafters' lineup included the 2020 #1 overall draft pick (Spencer Torkelson - Tigers - DH - 1-4, 2B, 2 RBIs) and 2019 #12 overall draft pick (Brett Baty - Mets - third baseman - 3-3, walk, HBP).

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/javelinas-vs-rafters/2021/10/13/667382#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667382

[damuelle]

Game 2: Salt River Rafters Fall 1-0 to Surprise Saguaros

 

Brewer contributions:

- Joey Wiemer - CF - 0-4

- Mario Feliciano - C - 0-3

- Joe Gray Jr. - PR

- Justin Jarvis - 3.0 innings, 0 runs, 0 Ks

 

The Rafters outhit the Saguaros 6-3 and left far more men on base (12-3), going a frustrating 0-11 with men in scoring position, including failing to score with the bases loaded and zero outs in the 8th inning. But the story of the game was really the Saguaros' Owen White, a 2018 second round draft pick of the Rangers who's been injured most of his career, making his professional debut this year. Now 22 years old, he threw 5 scoreless innings to earn the win.

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-saguaros/2021/10/14/667395#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667395

[Roderick]

https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/sleeper-prospects-in-arizona-fall-league-2021?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

 

30 AFL sleeper prospects -- 1 for each org.

Brewers: Abner Uribe, RHP (No. 26)

Want to see some elite velocity? Pay attention to the Statcast data whenever Uribe pitches at home in Salt River this fall. The 21-year-old right-hander can sit -- not top out at, sit -- 100-101 and touch even higher when he really rears back. He might be tempted to do so in Arizona, given the size of the stage. As with many hard-throwers, the development of control and a second pitch will be keys to Uribe’s present and future. He struck out 52 in 33 2/3 innings at Low-A Carolina this summer but walked 25 in the same span. A jump this high will be a tough, but promising challenge for the Dominican Republic native.

[Joseph Zarr]

Thanks to all of you for posting these Updates. This keeps me intrigued and engaged throughout the offseason. Many thanks.

[damuelle]

Game 3: Salt River Rafters 2, Peoria Javelinas 1

 

Limited action for our guys today:

- Abner Uribe - 1.0 inning, zero runs, 1 K. He threw 20 pitches, but only 8 for strikes (2 walks).

 

In the game, the Rafters' Michael Toglia (first baseman, #23 overall pick of 2019 draft by the Rockies) homered in the second inning to take a lead which the team did not relinquish.

 

Hopefully this means we'll have a few players in the lineup tomorrow.

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-javelinas/2021/10/15/667402#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667402

[Eye Black]

Here’s a fun secret, each of these games has a unique game code listed in the box score URL. If you copy and paste the game code from any of the games played at Salt River Fields in a Baseball Savant game link you’ll be able to view Statcast data for these games. Here is the Rafters opening day Statcast information:

 

Statcast Data for Javelinas vs. Rafters - 10/13/2021

[MadThinker88]

Here’s a fun secret, each of these games has a unique game code listed in the box score URL. If you copy and paste the game code from any of the games played at Salt River Fields in a Baseball Savant game link you’ll be able to view Statcast data for these games. Here is the Rafters opening day Statcast information:

 

Statcast Data for Javelinas vs. Rafters - 10/13/2021

 

Thanks for that info.. I will be sure to pass it along..

[damuelle]

Wiemer Power Show Returns, Rafters Defeat Solar Sox 15-7

 

Joey Wiemer's 2-run homer and Mario Feliciano's double drove in the first 3 runs of the game in the 2nd inning, while an 8-run 4th inning put the Solar Sox away. While Brewer hitters did their part, our pitchers also gave up 6 earned runs. The game featured 17 hits, 22 walks, 5 hit batsmen, 6 wild pitches and 3 balks.

 

Joey Wiemer - RF - 2-3, HR, walk, HBP, 3 RBIs. Wiemer also threw out a runner trying for 3rd base in the 3rd inning

Mario Feliciano - C - 1-4, 2B, 1 RBI

Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 1-5, HBP, 1 RBI, 1 SB

Lun Zhao (first AFL action) - 1.0 inning, 1 ER, 0 Ks

Taylor Floyd - 0.2 innings, 1 ER, 2 Ks. Floyd also walked 3 batters, had a balk and a wild pitch

J.T. Hintzen (first AFL action) - 0.2 innings, 4 ER, 1 K. Hintzen also walked 3 batters, hit 1 and had a wild pitch

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/solar-sox-vs-rafters/2021/10/16/667400#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667400

[damuelle]

Joey Wiemer home run from two angles:

 

 

 

Joey Wiemer showing off his arm from right field as well:

 

 

Joey Wiemer almost hit a second homer:

 

 

Joey Wiemer infield hit:

 

[Eye Black]

Lots of prospect helium for Joey Wiemer. Thanks for all of the links, damuelle!

 

Here is the Statcast information…

 

Statcast Data for Sox vs. Rafters - 10/16/2021

[brooks_quichenick]

Joey Wiemer showing off his arm from right field as well:

 

 

My goodness, what a throw!

[Roderick]

https://theathletic.com/2895677/2021/10/18/arizona-fall-league-experiments-gone-awry-plus-notes-on-spencer-torkelson-brett-baty-and-more-keith-law/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

 

• We had our first AFL player ever (I think) from the People’s Republic of China, Lun Zhao. The Brewers pitcher was also one of the youngest players in the league, just barely 20 years old, and was 85-88 with what looked like a two-seamer and a very impressive 74-76 mph curveball with tight rotation and 12/6 break. He’s just back from 2020 Tommy John surgery, throwing nine innings this summer, and still young and slender enough that you could project a little more velocity. The fastball may be light, but the curveball might carry him up to the high minors.

[markedman5]

Wiemer impressing the scouts

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/arizona-fall-league-prospect-report-october-18-2021/

 

 

 

[damuelle]

Feliciano Knocks in Tying Run, Scores Winning Run in 7-6 Victory Over Scottsdale Scorpions

 

An exciting back-and-forth game saw the Rafters come back from three deficits (1-0, 4-1, 6-5) to pull out the win. Mario Feliciano hit a pinch hit double to tie it up with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th inning, then scored on a Wilmer Reyes (23-year old Mets infielder) single.

 

Joey Wiemer - DH - 0-3, HBP, 1 RBI

Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 0-5 (dropping his AFL average to .071)

Mario Feliciano - PH/C - 1-1, 2B, 1 RBI

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/scorpions-vs-rafters/2021/10/18/667331#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667331

[sveumrules]

Feliciano Knocks in Tying Run, Scores Winning Run in 7-6 Victory Over Scottsdale Scorpions

 

An exciting back-and-forth game saw the Rafters come back from three deficits (1-0, 4-1, 6-5) to pull out the win. Mario Feliciano hit a pinch hit double to tie it up with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th inning, then scored on a Wilmer Reyes (23-year old Mets infielder) single.

 

Joey Wiemer - DH - 0-3, HBP, 1 RBI

Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 0-5 (dropping his AFL average to .071)

Mario Feliciano - PH/C - 1-1, 2B, 1 RBI

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/scorpions-vs-rafters/2021/10/18/667331#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667331

 

Shades of May 1st when Mario pinch walked in his first MLB PA then came around to score the winning run on a Travis Shaw walk off single.

[Austin Tatious]

Wiemer is electric. Man, it’s hard not to dream about his athleticism and pop in our lineup.

 

Bonus. He is a former pitcher who has a phenomenal throwing arm for right.

 

Include Wiemer in our riches in the outfield. We could trade from a position of strength. Combine one of those outfielders with one of our pitchers (e.g., Houser, Lauer), and maybe a lower prospect, and we’d be in the running for a very significant trade.

[damuelle]

Peoria Javelinas Down Salt River Rafters 4-2, Four Brewers See Action

 

Justin Jarvis got the start, while Abner Uribe and J.T. Hintzen also pitched, though thankfully none of our guys took the loss. The Javelinas took a 3-1 lead in the 4th inning and held on for their first win. More errors (3) and than extra base hits (1) definitely hurt the Rafters' cause.

 

- Mario Feliciano - DH - 1-4

- Justin Jarvis - SP - 2.0 innings, 1 unearned run (Jarvis dropped a ball at first base), 2 Ks

- Abner Uribe - 1.0 inning, zero runs, 2 Ks

- J.T. Hintzen - 1.1 innings, zero runs, 2 Ks

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-javelinas/2021/10/19/667390#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667390

[Fear The Chorizo]

Wiemer is the type of prospect that if he improves his hit/contact tool, he's an all star. Other side of that coin is if he doesn't keep improving that tool he could flame out as quickly as a prospect because he'll strike out constantly against developed pitching. But his other tools are going to give him plenty of chances to succeed at the big league level - He just looks like a MLB corner OF right now and it's just a matter of him being able to make contact consistently. I think there was some early season helium on his draft stock back in 2020 before COVID shut down the college season, and the Brewers benefitted from him not gaining more attention to pick him where they did.

 

hopefully he keeps improving/developing and excited to see where he starts the 2022 season!

[Eye Black]

While I agree that Wiemer ultimately likely ends up in a OF corner, I like that the Brewers are getting him experience in CF. Sort of similar to what the Dodgers have done with development of players such as Cody Bellinger, get him experience playing a premium position. He certainly has the speed and arm strength to play a solid CF.

[damuelle]

Rafters Comeback Falls Short, Lose to Surprise Saguaros 4-2

 

Scoreless through 5 innings, the Saguaros then built leads of 3-0 and 4-2 before the Rafters left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th. Joey Wiemer was 0-3 before hitting a key double. He represented the game-tying runner, but Joe Gray Jr.'s (pressed into action due to a baserunning injury to Spencer Torkelson) AFL nightmare continued, as he grounded out to end the game. Taylor Floyd gave up two unearned runs, as a fielding error prolonged his one inning of work.

 

Joey Wiemer - 1-4, 2B, walk

Joe Gray Jr. - 0-3 (drops his AFL average to .059)

Taylor Floyd - 1.0 inning, 2 unearned runs, 1 K

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/saguaros-vs-rafters/2021/10/20/667383#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667383

[Joseph Zarr]

Joey Weimer...that's muh guy. LOVE to see it. Absolutely LOVE it. Thanks gents!

[damuelle]

Rafters Drop 3rd Straight, Fall to Glendale Desert Dogs 10-5

 

The Salt River Rafters fell behind 4-0 in the first inning (4 hits, 1 walk, 2 wild pitches), clawed back to 4-3 (3rd inning) and 6-5 (6th inning), but a 4-run 7th inning put the game away. Joey Wiemer and J.T. Hintzen were the only Brewers to see action.

 

Joey Wiemer - 1-4

J.T. Hintzen - 1.1 innings, 1 earned run, 0 Ks. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes) and gave up a home run

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/desert-dogs-vs-rafters/2021/10/21/667388#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667388

[Eye Black]

From last night…

 

MLB.com: Wiemer stings ball during 4-hit night in AFL

[damuelle]

Wiemer's 4 Hits, Zhao's 2.1 Scoreless Innings Aren't Enough, Rafters Fall to Mesa Solar Sox 9-5

 

Abner Uribe got the start and gave up 3 runs in the first inning. Joey Wiemer (2 doubles, 2 singles, 1 HBP), Mario Feliciano and company kept it close, cutting a 6-1 deficit to 6-5, but could get no closer. Lun Zhao's 2.1 hitless innings strengthen his case to start 2022 in Low-A, while Joe Gray Jr.'s AFL nightmare continues.

 

Joey Wiemer - 4-4, 2 doubles, HBP, 1 SB

Mario Feliciano - 1-3, 1 RBI

Joe Gray Jr. - 0-3, HBP

Abner Uribe took the loss - 2.0 innings, 3 earned runs, 4 hits, 3 walks, 4 Ks

Lun Zhao - 2.1 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 walk, 1 K

Wiemer got an outfield assist, though it was on a long pickle play

JGJ and Uribe each had an error, while Feliciano had two passed balls

JGJ also got thrown out at home trying to score from 2nd on a single in the 4th inning

 

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/solar-sox-vs-rafters/2021/10/22/667393#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667393

[damuelle]

Wiemer Wiemer Wiemer:

 

Article on MLB.com: https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/joey-wiemer-impresses-early-in-arizona-fall-league.html?__twitter_impression=true

 

Single:

 

Double:

 

Another single:

 

HBP: