2023 Arizona Fall League Thread

[Ro Mueller]

Eight Brewers' minor leaguers are playing for the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League from October 2 through November 11, as detailed in an earlier write-up by @Seth Stohs.

This thread can cover the daily game highlights and discussion.

[Ro Mueller]

The Saguaros won their opening game 13-8 over the Mesa Solar Sox, with 1B Wes Clarke and 2B Eric Brown Jr. both playing big roles in their comeback victory. Box Score

Clarke's 3-run homer gave Surprise its first lead (4-3 in the 4th inning), then Brown's 2-run triple gave them the lead for good (9-7 in the 5th inning).

 

[Ro Mueller]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Good news! It looks like we'll get Live Streams for a few games - e.g. October 5, 6, 12, 16, 20, 26 and November 2 and 8. Plus the Home Run Derby (with Wes Clarke?) on November 4 and the Play-In Semifinal on November 10.

[Joseph Zarr]

I'll migrate a few Game 1 notes from late last night:

- EBJ's very first 2023 innings manning 2B were last night (SS was given to the Rangers 2021 3rd Rd pick, Cameron Cauley).

- No OF Hendry Mendez sighting in Game 1

- No Brewers hurlers touched the mound - given the score that may have been a good thing 🤭

[wiguy94]

Surprise lose again tonight but the 3 Brewers to play all played alright.

EBJ - 1-4

Mendez - 1-3 2B

Shane Smith - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 19 pitches, 15 strikes

Smith struck out Kyle Manzardo on 4 pitches which was cool to see.

[Joseph Zarr]

2 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

Surprise lose again tonight but the 3 Brewers to play all played alright.

EBJ - 1-4

Mendez - 1-3 2B

Shane Smith - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 19 pitches, 15 strikes

Smith struck out Kyle Manzardo on 4 pitches which was cool to see.

Didn't they win last night and sit 1-1?

[wiguy94]

6 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Didn't they win last night and sit 1-1?

I think you’re right. Either way our Brewers guys have been up to the task so far.

[Ro Mueller]

The Saguaros were down 1-0 entering the 7th inning before the floodgates opened against them in a 9-0 defeat by Peoria. Box score.

Hendry Mendez was stranded after a one-out double in the 5th inning, while RHP Shane Smith did well to strand an inherited runner in the 8th inning, then work around an error (by Eric Brown Jr.) and single to prevent any damage in the 9th inning. Brown's single came in the 8th inning with the game already out of hand.

I think it's great that the players get to wear their own franchise's uniforms, like MLB All Star teams that I remember watching years ago. 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

EBJ doing his thing already tonight. BB, 2 SB, R. 1-1 score into the 4th. He also has his second Error in just 3 games. Clarke is 0-for-2 with a K.

[duewizard]

Coming here to get some solace. So far, the guys in the AFL have been fantastic. Hoping to follow their work during October.

[Joseph Zarr]

28 minutes ago, duewizard said:

Coming here to get some solace. So far, the guys in the AFL have been fantastic. Hoping to follow their work during October.

[Joseph Zarr]

RHP Justin Yeager's first inning of work since May 11th was a rough one:

1 IP, 4 H, 1 HR, 4 ER - 0 BB and 0 K.

Shake that rust off and get them next time, Justin. This is only the beginning of your road back to where you want to be.

[Ro Mueller]

Thursday's game against Glendale was 1-1 before 6'4" RHP Justin Yeager (acquired from Braves) entered. Yeager's last competitive action was a super secret inning in Game One of the ACL Brewers' championship series on August 25, before which he hadn't thrown since May 11.

Over Yeager's first 9 pitches, he gave up a homer, double and two singles. Oh my. At least he got the next three batters out (fly out and 2 ground outs) on 9 pitches and mainly threw strikes (14 of 18 pitches). Get 'em next time. The Saguaros ultimately lost 7-1. Box score

Eric Brown Jr. got to lead off and play shortstop, with 1B Wes Clarke batting clean-up. They went a combined 1-for-8, with Brown collecting a double, walk and 2 stolen bases, but also having an error in the field. LHP Justin King faced 6 batters late in the game, giving up 1 run, 1 hit and 1 walk in 1.1 IP, while also registering 1 K.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

9 hours ago, damuelle said:

Thursday's game against Glendale was 1-1 before 6'4" RHP Justin Yeager (acquired from Braves) entered. Yeager's last competitive action was a super secret inning in Game One of the ACL Brewers' championship series on August 25, before which he hadn't thrown since May 11.

That's right! I had completely forgotten he pitched in Game 1. Good one, Daniel. Thanks for that enlightening add.

[Joseph Zarr]

A friendly reminder:

Surprise @ Salt River is Live tonight. 

Link to Game Feed Here

Clarke and Mendez are in the starting line up. 

[Jake McKibbin]

Wes Clarke Started off the game with an RBI single, it was his only hit of the night, but he did walk twice and then strike out twice going 1-3, 2BB

Hendry Mendez took a walk, but otherwise went 0-4 at the plate with a strikeout

No Brewers pitchers got game time

[Ro Mueller]

On Thursday, the Saguaros 3-0 lead in the 1st inning rapidly became an 8-3 deficit by the 2nd inning, but no Brewers' pitchers were at fault. Whew. They ultimately lost 8-5. Box score. 

DH Wes Clarke knocked in the game's first run, reaching base three times in the first five innings. But his Ks in the 7th and 9th innings will still be tough to swallow, both coming with 2-on, 1-out while trailing 8-4.

RF Hendry Mendez's four outs came with the bases loaded, 1-on, 2-on, then 2-on again, as he unfortunately failed to deliver. In his final at-bat, he represented the potential game-tying run, but K'd on 4 pitches against a closer throwing 95.3mph.

[Joseph Zarr]

EBJ is the lone Brewer in the Saguaros line up to start their knock versus the 3-0 Scottsdale Scorpions. He will be once again playing 2B - an interesting development early in the AFL. He led off with a single and scored Surprise's first run as they began their tilt with 4 consecutive singles. Let's hope these young men can get a much needed 'W'.

[wiguy94]

This isn’t AFL but didn’t feel like it warranted it’s own thread. Josh Norris posted some Ryan Birchard highlights. Definitely an intriguing pitcher.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

24 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

This isn’t AFL but didn’t feel like it warranted it’s own thread. Josh Norris posted some Ryan Birchard highlights. Definitely an intriguing pitcher.

 

Careful. We might get a @Smichaelis9drool emoji in 3...2...1

[Spencer Michaelis]

9 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Careful. We might get a @Smichaelis9drool emoji in 3...2...1

[CheeseheadInQC]

Never doubt the Brewers JUCO pitching scouting.

[wiguy94]

EBJ had that single in his first AB and has 3 strikeouts since then. I do have to say there are some doubts/questions entering my mind on his bat. Hopefully he can stay healthy next year and put those questions/doubts to rest.

[Ro Mueller]

10 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

EBJ had that single in his first AB and has 3 strikeouts since then. I do have to say there are some doubts/questions entering my mind on his bat. Hopefully he can stay healthy next year and put those questions/doubts to rest.

2B Eric Brown Jr. popped out in his final at-bat, so ended up 1-for-5. At least his hit was to open the game. By the time he batted a second time (again in the 1st inning), the Saguaros already led 6-0.

Scottsdale cut the deficit to 6-4 by the 4th inning, but Brown’s team ultimately prevailed 9-6. Box score.