Article: AFL Recap Week 1: Garver Provides Power

[Steve Lein]

The AFL season always carries some interesting story lines going into the offseason.

 

Which prospects are ready to make the last step to the majors? What young talent does an organization want to protect on the forty-man roster for the Rule V draft? Which lesser known prospect can make a bigger name for himself heading into 2016?All of these questions could apply to the collection of prospects the Minnesota Twins have sent to Arizona this October.

 

The Scottsdale Scorpions played three games this past week, winning the next two in convincing fashion after falling in their season opener. The Scorpions game on Friday was postponed by rain.

 

Let’s check out what happened in the opening week of the 2015 Arizona Fall League season!

 

Adam Brett Walker – 2 games, 1-6 (.167), 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K’s.

 

Walker’s performance in the AFL in 2015 could say a lot about his development as a prospect and perhaps more notably, his ability to control the strike zone and get on base.

 

Two games never says much of anything, but so far so good as he’s gotten on base by drawing three walks. The former was on display as well, as this control of the strike zone resulted in three strikeouts..

 

Walker scored from first base on a double in the opening game of the season after drawing his first of two walks on the game. He struck out once and flew out in his two other plate appearances to finish 0-2.

 

In Wednesday’s 13-3 Scorpions win, Walker reached base twice on a single and a walk, but was the only hitter in their lineup to not score a run or drive one in. He finished 1-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.

 

Stuart Turner – 1 game, 1-2 (.500), 1 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 BB.

 

Turner started the opening game of the season at catcher for the Scorpions, batting ninth.

 

Despite going 1-2 on the game with two walks, it was his defense that perhaps stood out the most.

 

Turner gunned down runners at second base in the third and sixth innings. In the fifth inning Salt River’s Christopher Bostick did manage to steal second and third, but Turner’s defense showed up plenty.

 

Turner walked in his first plate appearance, then reached on a throwing error in the fourth. Unfortunately he got caught between first and second on the play for the inning's final out.

 

His seventh inning double led to him scoring the Scorpions third and final run of the game on a sacrifice fly, and he drew his second walk in the ninth inning.

 

Mitch Garver – 1 game, 2-3 (.667), 1 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB.

 

Garver also started one game at catcher and batted ninth for the Scorpions in their 9-2 win on Friday.

 

While he made a few defensive plays of his own, Garver showed up a little bit more on the offensive side.

 

He reached base on an error from the shortstop to lead off the third inning, but was stranded. He drew a walk in the fifth but was stranded again. The sixth inning is where he made his biggest contribution.

 

With runners on second and third and two outs, Garver launched a three run home run to left-center field, breaking the game open for the Scorpions at 6-2. And he added a double in the eighth inning.

 

Nick Burdi – Did not play.

 

With the rainout on Friday, Burdi did not see action in any games for the Scorpions in week 1.

 

Trevor Hildenberger – 1 game, 2.0 IP, 0 R’s, 2 H’s, 2 K’s. 0.00 ERA.

 

Hildenberger made his only appearance of the week in the season opener, pitching the final two innings of the Scorpions 5-3 loss.

 

In the seventh inning, Hildenberger worked around two errors by the Scorpions second baseman by continuing to induce ground balls. Carlos Asuaje started a double play to end the inning and strand a runner to make up for the errors.

 

In the eighth, the first two men singled, but Hildenberger bounced back with two strikeouts and a groundout to end the threat.

 

Jake Reed – Did not play.

 

Again because of the rain on Friday, Reed did not pitch, resulting in both draft picks and collegiate closers from the 2014 draft not seeing action for the Scorpions in the opening week (Burdi – 2^nd round, Reed – 5^th round).

 

Taylor Rogers – 1 game, 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H’s, 1 BB, 5 K’s. 2.25 ERA.

 

Rogers gave the Scorpions their best start of the opening week, allowing one earned run on two hits and a walk, while striking out five in their 13-3 win over his team from last AFL season, the Salt River Rafters on Wednesday.

 

He retired the side in order in the first, including two strikeouts and faced just three hitters in the second by getting a line drive double play after a lead off single.

 

In the third inning, Rogers issued a walk but retired the three other hitters, including another strikeout.

 

In the fourth he got two quick outs but to the third batter in the inning Rogers allowed the only large contact of the day, a solo home run to the Desert Dog’s cleanup hitter, Gabby Guerrero, the nephew of former major league professional hitter, Vladimir Guerrero.

 

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss the performances during the week!

 

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[jokin]

Technically, Burdi, Walker and Turner did see action in the Friday game before it was ruled a rain out.

 

Burid threw a scorelss, hitless, walkess, 1 K, 7 strikes in 9 pitch, inning.

Walker hit a double in one AB

Turner walked in his single PA.

[Steve Lein]

Good call! Nothing 'official' though as it was a 'postponement'!

[Seth Stohs]

Ah semantics! :-)

[Squirrel]

Mod note: Stick to the topic and not other posters. Geez.

[Steve Lein]

Not that at all Mike! There is no box score for this game, thus I thank Jokin for pointing it out and adding to the discussion! Keep on keeping on!

[Mike Sixel]

I thought you were rather cool about it, Steve. Others weren't, but those are deleted now, as is my post.

[Mike Sixel]

On topic......I really, really hope that these catchers can step up, and be set up for success next year.

[ashbury]

 thus I thank Jokin for pointing it out and adding to the discussion! Keep on keeping on!

Agreed. The AFL is among the last places I care about official stats; I want to know what my guys did against live (and advanced) competition, and that's what that was. Particularly as it was all good news.

[Seth Stohs]

 

On topic......I really, really hope that these catchers can step up, and be set up for success next year.

 

This is a good opportunity for them to get 6 more weeks of playing time. Of course, the catchers will catch just twice per week over that time, and the relievers will appear in maybe 2 games per week. Taylor Rogers will start once a week. It's a very small sample so it's important not to make too much of it, but it's good exposure  and opportunity. I'm guessing the Twins know where they both will start next year.

[jokin]

 

On topic......I really, really hope that these catchers can step up, and be set up for success next year.

 

Yup. After initially being disappointed about this year's AFL group, I've somewhat reconsidered and I've now come to the conclusion that at least 4 of the individual storylines have become more compelling. Going up against the best in a pretty exclusive All Star league magnifies each PA.

 

First off, it is significant that Nick Burdi achieved success after getting into his first AFL game on Friday- after pretty much a complete breakdown of his command and control in 2015.  His previous league "debut" appearances have seen him so amped up that it quickly led to self-destruction- it seems that because of his occasional heightened emotional states, he might be his own worst enemy at times I thought it was important to note that he had a perfect inning with pinpoint control, against the best overall competition he's faced thus far.

 

 

The Twins' two-catcher-prospect drama is a story that writes itself. It easily becomes a nice little daily horse race to find out who goes into next spring as the favorite to become the Twins' MiLB top backstop.

 

ABW2- has there ever been a more controversial and intriguing minor league prospect more talked about than him since David Ortiz?  And now he's earned a chance to really show what he's got vs. a coterie of the best young MiLB arms. Can he more than hold his own while lowering his K-rate, and also while increasing his productivity?  The results will give a little indication for how highly he will be regarded going into 2016, presumably starting out in the Rochester OF. 

Edited October 19, 2015 by jokin

[DocBauer]

 

 

 

ABW2- has there ever been a more controversial and intriguing minor league prospect more talked about than him since David Ortiz?  And now he's earned a chance to really show what he's got vs. a coterie of the best young MiLB arms. Can he more than hold his own while lowering his K-rate, and also while increasing his productivity?  The results will give a little indication for how highly he will be regarded going into 2016, presumably starting out in the Rochester OF. 

I do not want to be all Dougie-Downer here or anything, and I know it is only a very, very SSS at this point, but I have to wonder if ABW2 is showing a much better eye...has made an adjustment to his stance that is letting him see better (longer)...or is he just not swinging right now in hopes of walks?

[h2oface]

 

Good call! Nothing 'official' though as it was a 'postponement'!

 Since these games are all about development, I think what Burdi, Walker, and Turner did in the rainout is as important as "official" AFL stats. What they do matters, even if it is rained out. Thanks for the summary of week one!

[BoomBoom]

Counting the rainout - ABW is 3 for last 6 ABs with single; double; home run; and 3 Ks.  .429 OBP (small sample size)  Based on Gameday graphics - He is receiving many below the zone called strikes.  Not particularly good sign for a guy trying to lay off the low stuff - Lol. 

[jokin]

 

I do not want to be all Dougie-Downer here or anything, and I know it is only a very, very SSS at this point, but I have to wonder if ABW2 is showing a much better eye...has made an adjustment to his stance that is letting him see better (longer)...or is he just not swinging right now in hopes of walks?

 

 

Counting the rainout - ABW is 3 for last 6 ABs with single; double; home run; and 3 Ks.  .429 OBP (small sample size)  Based on Gameday graphics - He is receiving many below the zone called strikes.  Not particularly good sign for a guy trying to lay off the low stuff - Lol. 

 

"Yes" or "Hopefully" to everything said above. For now, more of the same old, same old tonight from ABW2- 2-5 with the aforementioned power outburst and 3 Ks (overall, 6 Ks in 14 PAs so far.

 

Meanwhile, Garver does well at the plate yet again, going 2-5, giving the Scottsdale team a 7-14 performance from the bottom 3 in their power-packed batting order (Walker- 7th, Giants #2-ranked prospect & 2013 1st round pick, 20YO SS, Christian Arroyo going 3-4- 8th, and Garver- 9th). I'm liking the friendly catcher battle.

 

Jake Reed makes his 2015 AFL debut and sparkles, going 1.1 IP with 0 ER, 1 H., 1 K, 12 strikes in 17 pitches. Perhaps something to build on after his nightmare season.

 

Hildenberger continues to impress with 1 scoreless IP and 1 H surrendered.

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2015 by jokin

[HitInAPinch]

 

I do not want to be all Dougie-Downer here or anything, and I know it is only a very, very SSS at this point, but I have to wonder if ABW2 is showing a much better eye...has made an adjustment to his stance that is letting him see better (longer)...or is he just not swinging right now in hopes of walks?

Good questions.  I've watched many video's of ABW2's at bats.  He has a very nice swing.  Maybe a little too much of a power hitters uppercut.  Clearly, his issue is pitch recognition.   I would like to hear more of what the AZ League coaches have been instructed to emphasize to each player.