AZ Fall League Thread -- Season Complete for Brewers' Kids

[colbyjack]

An impressive note from BA's AFL notebook:

 

Finally, the AFL went through its most offensive season in 2005 when Scottsdale Stadium, which was being renovated, wasn't a factor . The stadium is the most playable in the league at 360-feet down the left field line and 430-feet in center field. So far this season, just five balls have left the yard in Scottsdale--and Braun has two of those.

[colbyjack]

It's always fun to hear Jack Z's comments. In addition to the notes Mass already pointed out above, he also mentioned that Cole Gillespie in addition to Brewer has really shown a lot of exciting offensive tools in the instrux. Hearing continued reports of Seidel's improved velocity is also exciting.

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale scores two in the top of the 9th to win 7-5 Wednesday afternoon

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;did=milb

 

After flying out to right field to end the first inning, designated hitter Ryan Braun was pinch-hit for in the 4th. Hopefully this was planned and Braun is OK.

 

RHP Steve Bray's scoreless 5th inning:

 

Mesa Bottom 5th

 

- Pitcher Change: Steve Bray replaces Matt Wilhite.

- Chin Lung Hu called out on strikes.

- Eric Patterson singles on a line drive to center fielder Jerry Owens.

- With Bobby Malek batting, Eric Patterson caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Bobby Wilson to shortstop Kevin Frandsen.

- Bobby Malek called out on strikes.

 

Steve Moss was idle.

 

Vinny Rottino played right field and batted 6th.

- grounds out to third base in the 2nd with one out, man on 1st base moved to 2nd

- called out on strikes to end the 4th, man was on first

- singles on a line drive to center field to lead off the 7th, steals second base, later scores

- grounds out to short leading off the 9th

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com:

 

I will be making my fourth trip to the AFL at the end of the month. The experience is a baseball buffet that no fan should miss. The first year, we went to a game in Maryvale. It is a beautiful park. Why is it no longer in the mix? -- Don

 

About Maryvale, it was simply a matter of vacancy, or the lack thereof. The Chicago White Sox, who have their Spring Training home in Tucson, have their instructional league team play in Maryvale. They use the main clubhouse at the complex there. The Brewers, the year-round tenants there, occupy the Minor League side of the facilities. So there's no room at the inn. As a result, the AFL doubled up in Peoria. They would like to return to Maryvale some day in the future.

[lithium75]

Looking at the box score Wednesday, 10/25, it appears as though Braun started as the DH, had one hitless at bat, and was pinch hit for. Why? he didn't get hurt did he?

[Mass Haas]

From Baseball America today:

 

Scottsdale third baseman Ryan Braun (Brewers) took sole possession of the AFL home run lead with five, and now leads the league in RBIs (20) as well. Braun left Wednesday?s game at Mesa after one at-bat as the DH. "If you don't crowd him inside with a good heater you better duck or pitch with an L-screen in front of you," a scout from an American League club said. "He's strong and the bat is fast."

[clancyphile]

Seems like he's treated AFL pitching like a bunch of baby seals.

 

I'm still calling him the Opening Day 2007 third baseman.

[DHonks]

rumor is Braun will miss the Allstar/showcase game with a strained hammy

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th to force a 6-6 tie and their game Thursday was suspended after 11 innings, to be completed later this season.

 

Ryan Braun appeared as pinch-hitter / DH, going 1-for-2, and driving in yet another run. That's a good sign that he'll be able to DH in Friday night's inaugural Rising Stars Showcase, 9:00 PM Central. Audio will be available here:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p?sid=l119

 

East infielder Ryan Braun was listed as questionable but currently is scheduled to play.

 

Braun singled on a ground ball to second base, driving in a run, with runners on 1st and 3rd, two out, in the 8th. He flied out to center leading off the 11th.

 

Alec Zumwalt (one inning) and Dennis Sarfate (two) pitched scoreless ball:

 

Grand Canyon Top 5th

 

- Pitcher Change: Alec Zumwalt replaces Rich Thompson.

- Joseph Koshansky singles on a line drive to right fielder David Cook.

- Matthew Miller singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Bradley Coon. Joseph Koshansky to 2nd.

- Nolan Reimold grounds into double play, second baseman Danny Richar to shortstop Andy Gonzalez to first baseman James D'Antona. Joseph Koshansky to 3rd. Matthew Miller out at 2nd.

- Kevin Richardson grounds out, shortstop Andy Gonzalez to first baseman James D'Antona.

 

Grand Canyon Top 9th

 

- Pitcher Change: Dennis Sarfate replaces Justin Hedrick.

- Joseph Koshansky grounds out, second baseman Danny Richar to first baseman James D'Antona.

- Matthew Miller lines out softly to second baseman Danny Richar.

- Nolan Reimold strikes out swinging.

 

Grand Canyon Top 10th

 

- Kevin Richardson walks.

- Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Fernando Cortez replaces Kevin Richardson.

- Travis Metcalf called out on strikes.

- Bryan Bass lines into unassisted double play, first baseman James D'Antona. Fernando Cortez doubled off 1st.

 

Box Score, Game Log, Gameday:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_surwin_1

[Mass Haas]

Latest summary update from MLB.com:

 

milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p;c_id=mil

[colbyjack]

Braun started tonight's game at 3B for the East in the AFL Rising Star's showcase. He is 0-2 (flyout, groundout) after 2 ABs going into the bottom of the 3rd.

[DHonks]

colby, I saw him this afternoon. It surprised me, as I had heard Rottino would be replacing him on the roster. Guess that rumor was false.

 

the winning side in the showcase gets $500 per person, the losers get the pride of knowing they were selected to play in the game. Looks like they needed deeper rosters. The expectation was that starters would go 3-4 innings, but that obviously didn't happen

[Mass Haas]

Ryan finished 0-for-4 with two K's as his "East" team won 3-1, but played the whole game at third base, a good sign health-wise. He committed an error in the 9th that didn't hurt. His stats won't count as league stats. The AFL season nears the midpoint, not much can diminish his super fall season thus far...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;did=milb

[Mass Haas]

Saturday afternoon has Gameday AFL for you at 1:30 Central.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../index.jsp

 

Steve Moss (batting 2nd, RF) and Vinny Rottino (Catcher, batting 3rd) are in the Scottsdale lineup. No audio today, finally some Scottsdale audio coming your way on Monday.

[RyDogg66]

Wow. Braun is a stud. I would not be surprised to see him in early June. Especially if Koskie, Weeks or Hardy get injured again.

 

If he is as good as Ryan Zimmerman he'll be a great addition to the offense at some point next year. Between this news and the signing of the Cuban I can not WAIT for next season!!

[WestCoastBrewer]

Braun defensive plays in last nights game, multimedia link below go to 10-27-2006 game fast forward to the 48:00 minute and 2:20 mark of the game to listen.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p?sid=l119

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale scores two in the top of the ninth to win, 3-1, on Saturday.

 

Steve Moss singled in four AB's (two K's).

 

Vinny Rottino was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt and his 4th stolen base of the fall. He was charged with a passed ball on a swinging strike three in the 4th that did not lead to a run. Peoria only ran on him once (lack of baserunners), and was successful in that one attempt. Four Scorpion pitchers took a no-hitter into the seventh, so give Vinniy some credit there.

 

Here's the winning rally in which Moss and Rottino took part:

 

Scottsdale Top 9th

 

- Pitcher Change: T. J. Beam replaces Sean Henn.

- Steve Moss singles on a ground ball to left fielder Dee Brown.

- Vinny Rottino hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by catcher Colt Morton. Steve Moss to 3rd. Vinny Rottino to 1st.

- With Mark Reynolds batting, Vinny Rottino steals (4) 2nd base.

- Mark Reynolds strikes out swinging.

- Matthew Brown out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Brett Gardner. Steve Moss scores. Vinny Rottino scores. Throwing error by shortstop Brendan Ryan.

- Travis Ishikawa strikes out swinging.

 

Steve Bray's 5th inning:

 

Peo Saguaros Bottom 5th

 

- Pitcher Change: Steve Bray replaces Wesley Whisler.

- Brett Gardner flies out to left fielder Bradley Coon.

- Brendan Ryan flies out to left fielder Bradley Coon.

- Vince Sinisi walks.

- Colt Morton pops out to first baseman Travis Ishikawa in foul territory.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_peswin_1

 

Scottsdale reliever Steve Bray combined with three other pitchers to no-hit the Peoria Saguaros for 6 2/3 innings. (Melissa Wintemute/MLB.com)

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2006/10/28/ObTxKHiP.jpg

[And That]

Steve Moss singled in four AB's (two K's).

 

Just looked at the roster, and saw that Moss was the youngest position player on the team, yet his OBP is holding steady. I read awhile back that he's fighting for his AA life in the AFL? That ridiculous. Steve Moss will be just fine long term.

[Mass Haas]

Click on the Photo Gallery link on the linked page below -- Ryan Braun photo (signing autographs) is # 3:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=l119

 

Braun defensive plays in last nights game, multimedia link below go to 10-27-2006 game fast forward to the 48:00 minute and 2:20 mark of the game to listen.

 

Thanks for the heads-up, WestCoastBrewer in the post above, very nice -- tough roller, leaping line drive...

[clancyphile]

I think Braun's moving beyond a callup at some point... I think he will make it very difficult to not start him at third on Opening Day.

[pitchleague]

Braun is doing well. It's about time one of our prospects lights up the Fall League and is a leader in stats and prospect watches. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see him get a significant look in spring training now.

[foamboy1]

This is on the front page of the Baseball America website....the content is for subscriber's only, so I can't access it:

 

? In today's Scout's View , a scout has some concerns about Brewers third baseman Ryan Braun.

 

Can anyone access and summarize?

[colbyjack]

BA profiles Ryan Braun's in today's Scout's View. The story is for subscribers only, but Chris Kline talked with a NL scout that still questions Braun's ability to stay at 3B. He also brings up Braun's weakness to turn on inside fastballs.

 

www.baseballamerica.com/o...62733.html

 

Here's one comment from that story:

 

"His hands are adequate, but his feet can get tangled. His throws have venom but lack accuracy. With the type of attention he will need to play third base everyday in the big leagues, I would just make it easy on everyone and let him play a corner outfield position and rake."

 

I still don't think that's enough to move him now, unless you wanted to keep Hall and Hardy on the left side of the infield. No one doubts Braun's ability to mash, which is very exciting.

[Mass Haas]

You can listen to Monday's Scottsdale game at 2:00 Central. Ryan Braun (3B) and Vinny Rottino are in the starting lineup.

 

You'll also be able to listen 8:00 PM Halloween night to Manny Parra's start.

 

Both games will be archived.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p?sid=l119

[brewerfan82]

I agree. Keep him at third. He's still growing into the position.

 

That said...if we add a big bat this offseason, three likely spots to add it would be in leftfield, centerfield or thirdbase. If we lock someone up to play center or third, Hall could fill the other with Braun moving to left.