Brewers Arizona Fall League Report: Week 2

[Jason Wang]

After mixed results in the first week of the Arizona Fall League, the Surprise Saguaros seemed to put the pieces together, going 5-1--powered by a handful of Brewers prospects.

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Let's check in on the week's results of the Brewers prospects' AFL squad.

Game Results
Monday, 10/9 | Surprise 3, Peoria 5
Tuesday, 10/10 | Surprise 17, Scottsdale 5
Wednesday, 10/11 | Glendale 1, Surprise 16
Thursday, 10/12 | Surprise 7, Salt River 6
Friday, 10/13 | Mesa 2, Surprise 10
Saturday, 10/7 | Surprise 5, Mesa 2

The Saguaros had an offensive outburst, scoring 50 runs across four days. In their games against the Scottsdale Scorpions and the Glendale Desert Dogs, they combined to outscore their opponents 33-6, an impressive run differential.

2B Eric Brown Jr. 
Week: 7-for-20, 3 2B, 5 BB, 7 RBI, 5 K, 2 SB (5 games)
Eric Brown Jr. made big improvements over the first week of the season, batting well with runners in scoring position and showing great plate discipline, walking as many times as he struck out. He also swiped a pair of bags in the final game against the Mesa Solar Sox.

Again splitting time between the two middle infield positions, he continued to perform consistently throughout the week, always finding a way to add value and help his team be as successful as possible.

1B Wes Clarke
Week: 3-for-16, 2B, HR, 6 BB, 5 RBI, 7 K (5 games)
After a red-hot start in the first week, Clarke regressed slightly, but he continued to show excellent qualities. Despite fewer hits, he still found a way to accumulate five RBIs, one for each game in which he appeared. In the two games in which he didn’t record a hit, he was able to walk in runs. He walked almost as often as he struck out.

Despite his down week, Clarke still possesses the fourth-highest OPS on the team, at 1.108. His on-base percentage of .452 for the season thus far is highly impressive. Coupled with clear power, his pop makes for a scary offensive threat for any team in this league to face.

OF Hendry Mendez 
Week: 2-for-10, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 K (3 games)
Seeing somewhat limited use, Mendez is still warming up to competing at the level of the AFL. At just 19 years old and spending most of his time at High A this past season, Mendez hasn’t broken out just yet, but he seems to have decent discipline at the plate.

On the bright side, he recorded his first two RBIs in the 17-5 blowout against the Scottsdale Scorpions.

LHP Justin King
Week: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1HB, 1 K
King pitched the final inning of the Saguaros' widest victory against the Glendale Desert Dogs. Charged with protecting a meager 15-run lead, King’s only base runner came by way of a hit-by-pitch. He allowed said runner to advance to second base on a wild pitch but King got the final groundout to end the game. 

He threw 21 pitches, 12 of which were strikes (57.1%).

RHP Shane Smith
Week: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Smith pitched in the team’s only loss this week, giving up a single and striking out one. He used a relatively high number of pitches for a relatively light workload, throwing 26 of them, 18 for strikes (69.2%). Nonetheless, he didn’t walk or hit anyone and got the job done when needed.

RHP Justin Yeager
Week: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Yeager was the first reliever out of the bullpen in the Saguaros' competitive game against the Mesa Solar Sox on 10/14. He gave up one hit and struck out two on an extremely efficient 12 pitches, 11 of which were strikes (91.7%). Yeager continues to be one of the most aggressive pitchers in the AFL, pounding the strike zone and testing his limits.

This approach worked much better this week than last, avoiding any damage.

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[Jim French Stepstool]

That's one of the things I've noticed about Clarke through his professional career, besides the 3TO tendencies-- he always seems to find ways to drive in runs. Hoping to hear updates on where he's used defensively this fall, if he ever finds himself behind the plate, how he handles himself there & at 1B, etc.

Also appreciate the Justin Yaeger updates. Hoping we have a sleeper there, after all his inactivity.