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

[Mass Haas]

Ryan Braun with another HR Monday, rough inning for Alec Zumwalt:

 

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

 

I'll try to provide more details tonight, including a timeline link to the Braun HR via audio.

[brettac1]

Mass, do you happen to have Weeks' line from the AFL handy?

 

Six bombs now, 7 walks. He's going to be here fast.

[colbyjack]

Here's Weeks' profile as written up by BA after he was named the #2 prospect in the AFL two years ago (second to Delmon Young, and ahead of recognizable young talents such as Francoeur, Loney, Howard, Hermida, Street and McCann. As big as Braun has been in the AFL this fall, Weeks was arguably better overall two years ago.

 

2. Rickie Weeks, 2b, Scottsdale Scorpions (Brewers)

 

The only thing that kept Weeks away from the top spot was his age, with the Brewers second baseman having three extra years on Young. Weeks rebounded from a mediocre regular season (he hit just .259 at Double-A) by hitting .382/.520/.737 in 76 at-bats. Will one additional plate appearance, he would have led the circuit in on-base percentage and slugging. His six homers nearly matched his regular-season total (8) in 400 fewer at-bats. Weeks also improved his plate discipline in the fall, walking nearly as many times (17) as he whiffed (18) .

 

Weeks' greatest asset is his ultra-quick hands that allow him to turn on inside fastballs and handle pitches on the outer half and drive them the other way. He made strides defensively, though seemed to lack focus at times, and most scouts agreed that Weeks still needs to adjust to getting himself in a comfortable daily routine. His footwork, range and agility all make him a solid-average defender with the ability to turn in the occasional brilliant play.

[Mass Haas]

Audio highlights from Monday's 10/30 archive:

 

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

 

Ryan Braun leads off the 2nd with a "textbook" bunt single, followed by Vinny Rottino HBP -- 21:30 minute mark

 

By the way, Rottino ended up catching this game after a pre-game lineup change, clean defense (one SB against).

 

Braun's home run off a fast ball (56:30), Rottino follows with a 405-foot out

 

Alec Zumwalt's four-run inning 1:21:30; now with nine walks vs. one K

 

Peo Javelinas Bottom 5th

 

- Pitcher Change: Alec Zumwalt replaces Rich Thompson.

- Joe Inglett walks.

- Josh Burrus homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Joe Inglett scores.

- Dustin Brown grounds out to first baseman Travis Ishikawa.

- Matt Tuiasosopo hit by pitch.

- Jacoby Ellsbury walks. Matt Tuiasosopo to 2nd.

- Michael Garciaparra singles on a line drive to left fielder Fred Lewis. Matt Tuiasosopo scores. Jacoby Ellsbury to 2nd.

- Coaching visit to mound.

- Gaby Sanchez singles on a line drive to left fielder Fred Lewis. Jacoby Ellsbury scores. Michael Garciaparra to 2nd.

- Kevin Kouzmanoff grounds into double play, third baseman Ryan Braun to second baseman Danny Richar to first baseman Travis Ishikawa. Gaby Sanchez out at 2nd.

 

Listen to Manny Parra's start Halloween evening at 8:00 Central, same link.

[colbyjack]

I take it there aren't many people listening to tonight's game, or you just didn't want to comment on Parra's start. Fortunately the Javelinas starter, Bobby Livingston, was just as shaky.

 

Braun just hit a one-out single in the bottom of the 5th. He also has a walk and a run scored in three PAs.

 

And Braun promptly got picked off first base...

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale wins, 7-6, in 11 innings

 

Ryan Braun on base four times (single, double, two walks) in six AB's, committed a throwing error on a force attempt. He was picked off first base after his single. Braun doubled leading off the 11th and scored the game-winning run when teammate Mark Reynolds singled -- an eventful game for Ryan.

 

Pinch-running appearance for Steve Moss, and Vinny Rottino, a late sub, walked in his only AB.

 

Manny Parra's rough start:

 

Peo Javelinas Top 1st

 

- Jacoby Ellsbury strikes out swinging.

- Michael Garciaparra singles on a line drive to right fielder Fred Lewis.

- Gaby Sanchez walks. Michael Garciaparra to 2nd.

- Kevin Kouzmanoff singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jerry Owens. Michael Garciaparra scores. Gaby Sanchez to 2nd.

- Chad Spann singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Fred Lewis. Gaby Sanchez scores. Kevin Kouzmanoff to 2nd.

- Joe Inglett grounds out to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Kevin Kouzmanoff to 3rd. Chad Spann to 2nd.

- With Michael Wilson batting, wild pitch by Manny Parra, Kevin Kouzmanoff scores. Chad Spann to 3rd.

- Michael Wilson singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Fred Lewis. Chad Spann scores.

- Coaching visit to mound.

- Josh Burrus walks. Michael Wilson to 2nd.

- Dustin Brown strikes out swinging.

 

Peo Javelinas Top 2nd

 

- Jacoby Ellsbury bunt grounds out, catcher Bobby Wilson to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

- Michael Garciaparra singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Ryan Braun.

- Gaby Sanchez reaches on force attempt, throwing error by third baseman Ryan Braun. Michael Garciaparra to 3rd.

- Kevin Kouzmanoff grounds into double play, first baseman Mark Reynolds to shortstop Kevin Frandsen. Michael Garciaparra scores. Gaby Sanchez out at 2nd.

 

Peo Javelinas Top 3rd

 

- Chad Spann flies out to left fielder Bradley Coon.

- Joe Inglett walks.

- With Michael Wilson batting, Joe Inglett steals (1) 2nd base.

- Michael Wilson strikes out swinging.

- Coaching visit to mound.

- Pitcher Change: Matt Wilhite replaces Manny Parra.

- Josh Burrus pops out to first baseman Mark Reynolds in foul territory.

 

Dennis Sarfate's scoreless 8th inning:

 

Peo Javelinas Top 8th

 

- Pitcher Change: Dennis Sarfate replaces Justin Hedrick.

- Chad Spann called out on strikes.

- Joe Inglett grounds out, second baseman Danny Richar to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

- Michael Wilson turns around to bat right-handed.

- Michael Wilson walks.

- Josh Burrus strikes out swinging.

 

Steve Bray gets the win with a perfect 11th:

 

Peo Javelinas Top 11th

 

- Pitcher Change: Steve Bray replaces Billy Sadler.

- Dustin Brown grounds out, shortstop Kevin Frandsen to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

- Jacoby Ellsbury flies out to center fielder Jerry Owens.

- Michael Garciaparra grounds out, shortstop Kevin Frandsen to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

 

Box Score / Game Log / Gameday:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_surwin_1

[colbyjack]

Interesting note from the game log vs. Sarfate:

 

Michael Wilson turns around to bat right-handed.

 

Did he start the AB batting left-handed? That's just an interesting comment, since Sarfate is a righty himself.

[Mass Haas]

On the Halloween archive, the game (and Manny Parra's first inning) begin at the 6:00 minute mark.

 

The painful first-inning-only audio (the announcer's fine -- it's Manny and his defensive teammates that were brutal), lasts from that 6:00 minute mark all the way until the 23:00 minute mark.

 

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

 

The Scorpions play this afternoon (no audio), then are next available on audio Thursday evening at 9:00 Central (and on subsequent archive).

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale loses Wednesday, 5-3

 

Ryan Braun the day off.

 

Vinny Rottino 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base (his 5th!), and one run scored, one throwing error from behind the plate (his first this fall), one stolen base against.

 

Steve Moss 0-for-3, one K.

 

Alec Zumwalt needed only seven pitches to complete an inning in which he walked a man.

 

Grand Canyon Bottom 4th

 

- Pitcher Change: Alec Zumwalt replaces Steven Jackson.

- Travis Metcalf grounds out, shortstop Andy Gonzalez to first baseman Jamie D'Antona.

- Bryan Bass walks.

- Mitch Maier grounds into double play, shortstop Andy Gonzalez to first baseman Jamie D'Antona. Bryan Bass out at 2nd.

 

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

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com:

 

SUSPENDED GAME: The suspended Rafter-Scorpion game on 10/26 is set to resume Thursday night at 6:00 PM. The game was tied 6-6 after the completion of 11 innings. Twenty-five minutes after the completion of the suspended game, the regularly scheduled game between Grand Canyon and Scottsdale will begin at Scottsdale Stadium.

[Mass Haas]

LHP Sam Narron, who made only one brief appearance early on in the AFL season, has been dropped from the Scottsdale roster. No reason given at this time, hopefully the next summary update from the Brewers' site will indicate why.

[Mass Haas]

Mark Reynolds collected four hits and helped produce the winning run in the 13th inning as the Scottsdale Scorpions edged the Grand Canyon Rafters, 8-7, in the completion of a suspended game. Scottsdale 3B Ryan Braun (MIL) scored the winning run in the 13th inning on a throwing error by C Adam Donachie.

 

How's this for a winning "rally"?

 

Scottsdale Bottom 13th

 

- Ryan Braun hit by pitch.

- Mark Reynolds hit by pitch. Ryan Braun to 2nd.

- Matthew Brown hits a sacrifice bunt. Ryan Braun scores. Mark Reynolds to 2nd. Matthew Brown to 1st. Throwing error by catcher Adam Donachie.

 

Below is the text of the original post on this game:

 

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.

 

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]

In the regularly scheduled game Thursday, Grand Canyon held off Scottsdale, 8-5, in a game that had been scheduled for seven innings.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_surwin_1

 

Ryan Braun was 1-for-3 with a walk as the DH, stealing 2nd base on the back end of a double steal.

 

Steve Moss (right field) was 0-for-3.

 

Dennis Sarfate's inning (struck out the side, allowed one inherited runner from first base to score):

 

Grand Canyon Top 6th

 

- Travis Metcalf singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jerry Owens. Nolan Reimold scores. Neil Walker scores.

- Coaching visit to mound.

- Pitcher Change: Dennis Sarfate replaces Matt Elliott.

- Craig Stansberry walks. Travis Metcalf to 2nd.

- Fernando Cortez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Steve Moss. Travis Metcalf scores. Craig Stansberry to 2nd.

- Brad Eldred strikes out swinging.

- Joe Koshansky strikes out swinging.

- Matt Miller called out on strikes.

 

Steve Bray allowed a home run in his inning:

 

Grand Canyon Top 7th

 

- Pitcher Change: Steve Bray replaces Dennis Sarfate.

- Jeff Fiorentino homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.

- Nolan Reimold lines out to left fielder Fred Lewis.

- Neil Walker grounds out, pitcher Steve Bray to first baseman Travis Ishikawa.

- Travis Metcalf flies out to center fielder Jerry Owens.

 

Fans with an interest in catching any of the audio can hunt through the archive here:

 

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

 

You can listen to Scottsdale live Friday night, 8:00 PM Central, same link.

[Mass Haas]

Latest from MLB.com

Note that Ron Acuna and J.C. Boscan are no longer with the organization, Luis Pena's name is new in terms of winter league, Mike Jones has been idle for a while, he's likely done in Mexico, and the focus in the brief recaps is on Dennis Sarfate, including photo --

 

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

 

Unfortunately, no update on Sam Narron's departure.

 

Some Ryan Braun discussion leads off Baseball America's latest free podcast, dated 11/3:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/t.../podcasts/

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale lost, 6-2, Friday night

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_pddwin_1

 

Ryan Braun (third base):

- strikes out swinging in the 1st, bases empty, two out

- singles on a ground ball to center field leading off the 4th, later scored

- called out on strikes in the 6th, bases empty, one out

- grounds out to second base to end the 8th, man on 3rd

 

Vinny Rottino (catcher):

Phoenix was successful in all four stolen base attempts

- pops out to second base, man on 3rd, one out in the 2nd -- ouch

- called out on strikes in the 4th, man on second, one out

- flies out to left field leading off the 7th

- doubles (6) on a ground ball to left field in the 9th, bases empty, two out

 

Steve Moss and the pitching contingent idle.

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale wins Saturday, 4-2 -- now .500 on the season at 11-11

 

Alec Zumwalt and Dennis Sarfate (Dennis gets the save) each walked two in their respective scoreless innings.

 

Mesa Top 5th

 

- Pitcher Change: Alec Zumwalt replaces Corwin Malone.

- Doug Deeds strikes out swinging.

- David Winfree walks.

- Anthony Raglani singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Ryan Braun. David Winfree to 2nd.

- Chin Lung Hu out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Alec Zumwalt to first baseman Travis Ishikawa. David Winfree to 3rd. Anthony Raglani to 2nd.

- Bobby Malek walks.

- Brooks Conrad grounds out, second baseman Mark Reynolds to first baseman Travis Ishikawa.

 

In ten innings, Zumwalt has allowed 13 hits and 12 walks while striking out only two. Little known nugget - full name is Sean Alexander Zumwalt.

 

Mesa Top 9th

 

- Pitcher Change: Dennis Sarfate replaces Mike Schultz.

- Doug Deeds strikes out swinging.

- Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Matt Moses replaces David Winfree.

- Matt Moses walks.

- With Anthony Raglani batting, Dennis Sarfate picks off Matt Moses at 1st on throw to Travis Ishikawa.

- Anthony Raglani walks.

- Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Eric Patterson replaces Chin Lung Hu.

- Eric Patterson called out on strikes.

 

Sarfate, meanwhile, has allowed 11 hits in 11 innings, walked six, and struck out 19. One rough outing has skewed his numbers, he's having a heck of a fall season. Even as a short reliever, pending results of other games on Saturday, Dennis leads the entire league in K's.

 

Ryan Braun (third base) seemingly is guaranteed to reach base at least twice each game, or so it seems:

 

- flies out to right fielder Anthony Raglani in foul territory in the 1st, manon 3rd, one out -- rare missed RBI opportunity

- doubles (7) on a fly ball to left field leading off the 4th, later scores

- walks in the 5th, men on 1st and 2nd, one out

- lines into double play to second baseman in the 7th, man on 3rd gets doubled off to end the inning

 

Vinny Rottino had the day off.

 

Steve Moss (left field) was 1-for-2.

- called out on strikes to end the 2nd, man on 3rd.

- doubles (2) on a sharp ground ball to left field in the 5th, none out, man on 1st moves to 3rd; Moss later scores

- out on a sacrifice bunt in the 6th, moves runner to 2nd with two out - perhaps bunting for a hit, but gets the scorer's ruling

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_surwin_1

 

Team is idle Sunday, next game is Monday afternoon, next audio is Tuesday afternoon.

[colbyjack]

That one really bad outing by Sarfate seemed to have skewed his ERA, which currently sits at 5.73. I don't remember him giving up a run the last several outings, and as Jim noted, he has been racking up a ton of Ks. That's pretty encouraging, as I would love to see him in the Brewers bullpen next spring.

 

Braun continues to rake, however, for those that think he has a chance to start in Milwaukee to open the '07 season, keep in mind that Weeks tore the AFL up two years ago and still opened the next season at AAA. Just looking at the facts, the Brewers like to take it one step at a time with their prospects, so even if you feel in your heart of hearts that Braun should without a doubt open the 2007 season in Milwaukee, history shows us that Nashville is his most likely destination.

 

Moss' playing time certainly has decreased over the last week or two. Wasn't he leading the league in ABs at one point in time? Now seeing his name in the box score is a pleasant surprise.

[brettac1]

Unfortunately, though, Sarfate keeps racking up the walks, too.

[Mass Haas]

Manny Parra starts Monday, no audio. Vinny Rottino batting 5th at DH. Looks like a day off for Ryan Braun and Steve Moss. Gameday is available for Scottsdale:

 

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

 

MiLB.com Notebook:

 

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

 

GETTING BRAUN-Y: Ryan Braun was Milwaukee's top pick in the 2005 draft and has done nothing over the last year and a half to make anyone think the pick wasn't a wise one. His latest stint in the AFL is serving as just another reminder of what the folks in Wisconsin have can expect when Braun reaches their state, possibly as soon as this season. He's sixth in the league in hitting (.344), second in homers (six), second in RBIs (22), second in doubles (seven), second in slugging percentage (.734), first in extra-base hits (13) and third in suns scored (18).

[lovehate]

Manny's got it going today, 5 k's and no BB through 3

4 hits, no runs

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale falls, 10-6, on Monday

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_msswin_1

 

Vinny Rottino was 0-for-4 (HBP, two K's) to drop to .220 (13-for-59, only four walks).

 

Manny Parra's four-inning stint (six hits, no walks, five K's, one run) --

 

Mesa Bottom 1st

 

- Eric Patterson singles on a ground ball to second baseman Mark Reynolds.

- Matt Tolbert ground bunts into a force out, pitcher Manny Parra to shortstop Kevin Frandsen. Eric Patterson out at 2nd. Matt Tolbert to 1st.

- With Brooks Conrad batting, Bobby Wilson picks off Matt Tolbert at 1st on throw to Travis Ishikawa.

- Brooks Conrad called out on strikes.

 

Mesa Bottom 2nd

 

- Scott Moore flies out to left fielder Jerry Owens.

- Michel Abreu singles on a line drive to right fielder David Cook.

- David Winfree grounds out, third baseman Matthew Brown to first baseman Travis Ishikawa. Michel Abreu to 2nd.

- Bobby Malek strikes out swinging.

 

Mesa Bottom 3rd

 

- A. J. Ellis singles on a line drive to left fielder Jerry Owens.

- Fernando Martinez called out on strikes.

- Eric Patterson singles on a line drive to left fielder Jerry Owens. A. Ellis to 2nd.

- Matt Tolbert strikes out swinging.

- Brooks Conrad called out on strikes.

 

Mesa Bottom 4th

 

- Scott Moore singles on a ground ball to right fielder David Cook.

- Michel Abreu grounds out, third baseman Matthew Brown to first baseman Travis Ishikawa. Scott Moore to 2nd.

- David Winfree singles on a line drive to right fielder David Cook. Scott Moore scores.

- Bobby Malek grounds into double play, third baseman Matthew Brown to second baseman Mark Reynolds to first baseman Travis Ishikawa. David Winfree out at 2nd.

 

Steve Bray pitched a perfect frame --

 

Mesa Bottom 5th

 

- A. J. Ellis lines out to right fielder David Cook.

- Fernando Martinez flies out to right fielder David Cook.

- Eric Patterson pops out to catcher Bobby Wilson in foul territory.

 

You can listen to the Scorpions at 2:00 Central Tuesday:

 

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

[colbyjack]

Nice outing for Parra today. Here's to him finishing the AFL season strong.

 

A few encouraging numbers behind his game today: He induced 5 ground outs versus only one fly out, and according to the game log that Mass provided, 2 of the 6 hits he gave up were hit on the ground and through the infield (and all six hits were singles).

 

Although it's tough not having Braun to follow in these box scores. C'mon, he had yesterday off.

[TheEndless7]

I'm just glad Parra is getting people out and staying healthy. CAn it get any better than that?

[brewmann04]

any news about Mike Jones

[Mass Haas]

Scottsdale loses, 6-5 in ten innings, Tuesday.

 

Eight games remain.

 

Dennis Sarfate still managing to strand baserunners he might put on:

 

Phoenix Bottom 9th

 

- Pitcher Change: Dennis Sarfate replaces Matt Wilhite.

- Javon Moran flies out to right fielder Fred Lewis.

- Drew Anderson (not the Brewer Drew Anderson) singles on a ground ball to right fielder Fred Lewis.

- Fernando Perez strikes out swinging.

- With Ben Zobrist batting, Drew Anderson steals (3) 2nd base.

- Ben Zobrist walks.

- Curtis Thigpen strikes out swinging.

 

Phoenix baserunners were 3-for-3 in SB attempts; Vinny Rottino behind the plate. Vinny hit two doubles in a 2-for-5 day.

 

Ryan Braun singled in the 1st, struck out on a foul tip with the bases loaded to end the 2nd, and hit a sacrifice fly in the 4th as part of a 1-for-4 day.

 

Steve Moss idle.

 

Vinny's first double is at the 1:07:00 mark. His second is at the 1:36:00 mark. Both doubles for "Vincent" (announcer) came on deep counts. First one was smoked...

 

Audio link for the 11/7 date:

 

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