Ro Mueller

You’re probably right, dtet. Very few position players get selected each year. And the fact that nobody signed 23-year old OF Oscar Gonzalez to an MLB deal after hitting 31 HRs in AA/AAA is perhaps a sign of just how high the bar is. Fingers crossed.

Maybe Stearns figures that there’s a high rate of selected players being returned to their original clubs at some point during the season… …cause I can’t imagine Howell not being selected: - 52 starts in CF this year - 14 at 3B, 13 at SS, 8 in RF, 5 at 2B, 2 in LF - 24 SBs, 6 CSs - .804 OPS in 416 PAs in High-A / AA, thanks largely to extra-base hits: 16 home runs, 5 triples, 17 doubles - 23 years old - Essentially only played 3 MILB seasons Of course, he’ll find it very tough being thrust into MLB for one season a few years too early, as his batting average was only .244, with 46 walks and 132 Ks.

If our strategy is to make some bargain basement claims from amongst the players being DFA'd today, then we may be looking at guys like: - RHP J.C. Mejia - 25 - DFA'd by Guardians - solid in minors from 2014-2019 (up to High-A ball), then struggled in big 2021 leap to AAA/MLB - LHP Kyle Nelson - 25 - DFA'd by Guardians - solid in minors from 2015-2019 (up to AAA), then struggled in 2021 in AAA/MLB - RHH OF Clint Frazier - 27 - DFA'd by Yankees - 104 OPS+ in 807 PAs across 5 MLB seasons, though struggled this year ...though we'd be slated at the tail end of the waiver claims (full AL, then 12 NL teams before us for these 3 players).

Rafters Lose Finale 8-0 to Javelinas. Jarvis, Hintzen Solid in Defeat Two Peoria pitchers held Salt River to 2 hits, while a 6-run 4th inning propelled the Javelinas to victory. A pair of Phillies continued their solid AFL hitting - Bryson Stott (24-year old shortstop - .934 AFL OPS; 2 hits and 3 RBIs in this one) and Logan O'Hoppe (21-year old catcher - .960 AFL OPS; hit and a walk). Losing pitcher Brian Metoyer (Mets' 25-year old) allowed 7 batters to reach (3 hits, 1 walk, 3 HBPs) and 6 runs, while retiring just 1 hitter. - David Hamilton - 2B - 0-3 - Mario Feliciano - C - 0-3 - Justin Jarvis - started - 2.0 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, 2 Ks - J.T. Hintzen - 1.2 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 walks, 3 Ks Feliciano yielded one stolen base, but no passed balls https://www.mlb.com/gameday/javelinas-vs-rafters/2021/11/19/667334#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667334

Rafters Lose to Solar Sox 3-1 in Penultimate AFL Contest Mesa scored in the 1st, 3rd and 5th innings to build a 3-0 lead, while its pitchers limited Salt River to only 4 hits. Nelson Velazquez (Cubs' 22-year old outfielder - 1.191 AFL OPS, 3-for-3 in this game) and JJ Bleday (Marlins' 24-year old outfielder - 1.035 AFL OPS, 1-3 with a triple and walk) continue to rake. David Hamilton and Mario Feliciano made decent contributions, despite the loss. - David Hamilton - 2B - 0-1, 3 walks, 1 SB - Mario Feliciano - DH - 1-3 - Weston Wilson - 3B - 0-4 https://www.mlb.com/gameday/solar-sox-vs-rafters/2021/11/18/667336#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667336

Rafters Fall 4-3 to Scorpions. Hamilton, Hintzen Solid. Salt River led 3-1 entering the 5th inning, but yielded 2 runs in the 5th and the game-winning run in the 6th inning. David Hamilton had two hits (including a triple), J.T. Hintzen kept the Scottsdale bats at bay, Lun Zhao registered a tough luck blown save (costly error) and Joe Gray Jr. continued his AFL nightmare. - David Hamilton - SS - 2-4, triple - Joe Gray Jr. - RF - 0-3 - J.T. Hintzen - 2.1 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 K - Lun Zhao - 2.0 innings, 2 runs (unearned), 2 hits, 1 walk https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-scorpions/2021/11/17/667338#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667338

I feel like we’re filling out our AAA roster earlier than last year: - 28-year old RHP Trevor Kelley was drafted by the Red Sox in 2015 and was consistently solid in the minors from 2016-2019. He made his MLB debut in July 2019 (8.1 innings in MLB that year), spent 2020 with the Phillies (3.1 innings in MLB) and 2021 with the Braves (AAA Gwinnett: 1.52 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 in 41.1 innings, though somehow not promoted to MLB this year). - 28-year old RHP Jason Alexander was undrafted, but joined the Angels in 2017. In 2018/2019, his numbers across AA/AAA were 5.77 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7.6 K/9 in 168.5 innings. Released in June 2020, he signed with the Marlins in April 2021. Injured for 3 months this year, he only threw 17.2 innings in 6 games in AA/AAA in 2021, posting a 1.57 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.5 K/9. - 29-year old OF Jonathan Davis was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2013, made his MLB debut in September 2018, claimed by the Yankees in August 2021, DFA’d and outrighted in September 2021. He’s only posted a .520 OPS in 259 PAs in MLB, though with 11 stolen bases (vs. 2 caught stealing). In AAA, he’s put up a .772 OPS in 640 PAs across 3 seasons with 25 stolen bases (vs. 7 caught stealing), but that includes 352 PAs during the juiced ball 2019-AAA season. In 2021, his MLB OPS was .425 (103 PAs) and his AAA OPS was .704 (86 PAs).

Rafters Shutout Desert Dogs 5-0. W. Wilson Only Brewer to See Action Red-hot Dominic Canzone (Diamondbacks) led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a 1st-pitch homer and Salt River rolled from there. 5 pitchers combined on the shutout, yielding only 4 hits and 1 walk. - Weston Wilson - 1-3, walk https://www.mlb.com/gameday/desert-dogs-vs-rafters/2021/11/16/667343#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667343

Rafters Blast Saguaros 12-5. Feliciano Shines With 3 Hits Salt River scored 5 in the 3rd inning to turn a 3-2 lead into a rout. Dominic Canzone (Diamondbacks' 24-year old outfielder) added a 2-run shot in the 6th inning to boost his AFL OPS to .901 in 67 PAs. Mario Feliciano hit 2 doubles, scored 3 runs and drove in a run. Mario Feliciano - C - 3-4, 2 doubles, 1 RBI David Hamilton - 2B - 0-3, 1 walk Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 0-3 Hamilton was caught stealing second There were no attempted steals on Feliciano and he allowed no passed balls https://www.mlb.com/gameday/saguaros-vs-rafters/2021/11/15/667367#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667367

From his mlb.com profile, it looks to me like he spent the entirety of the 2020 season at the MLB level, which would suggest that he did not use an option that year: - Recalled July 23, 2020 - Rays played first game of the season July 24, 2020 - Not optioned until mid-2021

- RHP Evan Reifert traded to Tampa Bay for IF Mike Brosseau 22-year old Reifert was signed as an undrafted free agent in July 2020 from the University of Central Missouri, when the draft was limited to just 5 rounds. He was terrific in his debut professional season, principally at High-A Wisconsin, where he posted a 2.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 15.4 K/9 in 51.0 innings. He also threw 9.0 innings at Low-A Carolina. 27-year old RHH Brosseau struggled this year between AAA (.724 OPS in 202 PAs) and the majors (.613 OPS in 169 PAs). However, his AAA/MLB numbers across 2019-2021 look better (.869 OPS in 517 PAs in AAA; .749 OPS in 409 PAs in MLB), since he hit well in 2019 and 2020. In the 2019-2021 period in AAA/MLB, he played 44.1% of the time at 3B, 28.4% at 2B, 16.3% at 1B, 5.5% in the outfield, 5.4% at SS and 0.2% pitching.

Rafters Prevail Over Javelinas 6-3. Jarvis Starts and Earns Win The box score page is coming up blank, but there's a separate article about Mets' prospect Brett Baty having 3 hits and 3 RBIs. https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-brett-baty-has-three-hits-three-rbis-in-afl?t=arizona-fall-league-coverage {Update} The box score link is working now: - David Hamilton - 2B - 0-3, walk - Weston Wilson - 1B - 0-3, walk - Justin Jarvis - 3.0 innings, 2 earned runs, 3 hits, 4 walks, 3 Ks - J.T. Hintzen - 2.0 innings, 1 earned run, 1 hit, 0 walks, 1 K https://www.mlb.com/gameday/javelinas-vs-rafters/2021/11/12/667359#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667359

Rafters Fall to Solar Sox 15-10. Hamilton Shines. Weston Wilson Joins Hit Parade It was a hit-fest, with Mesa jumping out to an 8-1 lead by the 3rd inning, Salt River battling back to 8-6 in the same inning but getting no closer. David Hamilton reached base in all 5 appearances and knocked in 4 runs. Abner Uribe wants to forget this one (5 earned runs without recording an out) and Joe Gray wants to forget the entire AFL season. Nelson Velazquez (Cubs' 22-year old outfielder) hit his 9th home run in 108 AFL plate appearances (1.223 OPS). David Hamilton - SS - 3-3, double, triple, 2 walks, 4 RBIs, 1 SB Weston Wilson (AFL debut) - DH - 2-4, double, walk Mario Feliciano - C - 1-4, double, walk Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 0-3, 2 walks Lun Zhao - 0.2 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 walks, 2 Ks, 1 balk Abner Uribe - 0.0 innings, 5 earned runs, 1 hit, 4 walks, 0 Ks Feliciano threw out one base stealer and yielded no stolen bases or passed balls https://www.mlb.com/gameday/solar-sox-vs-rafters/2021/11/11/667349#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667349

RHP Hobie Harris has been signed to a minor league contract and invited to major league spring training. INF Andruw Monasterio has been signed to a minor league contract and invited to major league spring training. Both moves were reported by Will Sammon, who mentioned that Harris has hit 99mph. The 28-year old Harris was originally a 31st round draft pick of the Yankees in 2015. The Blue Jays claimed him in the AAA portion of the Rule 5 draft in December 2019 and he posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 in 43.2 innings (42 relief appearances) with their AAA affiliate in 2021. The 24-year old RHH Monasterio was signed by the Cubs as a 16-year old from Venezuela. He was traded to the Nationals in August 2018, then dealt again to the Indians in December 2018. He split his 2021 season between AA and AAA, posting an OPS of .812 in 434 PAs (.818 in AA, .799 in AAA), starting 50 games at 3B, 27 games at 2B and 21 games at SS.

Rafters Fall Again, 6-1 to Scorpions. Floyd, Gray in Action Scottsdale blew open a 1-0 game with 3 runs in the 5th inning, cruising to victory. Starter Seth Corry (Giants' 23-year old) was dominant in 3 innings (0 runs, 1 hit, 0 walks, 5 Ks). Joe Gray Jr. wasn't able to produce a hit, so dropped his AFL AVG to .082 in 49 ABs. Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 0-3, walk Taylor Floyd - 1.0 inning, 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 walk, 0 Ks https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-scorpions/2021/11/10/667365#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667365

Rafters Beaten by Desert Dogs 5-1. Hamilton, Feliciano See Action Glendale scored in 4 of the first 6 innings to build an insurmountable 5-0 lead, with three pitchers combining to strike out 13 Rafters and yield no runs over the first 8 innings: Andre Pallante (Cardinals' 23-year old), Zach Thompson (Cardinals' 24-year old), Joe Record (Astros' 26-year old). Jacob Amaya (Dodgers' 23-year old middle infielder) went 3-4 with a homer to raise his AFL OPS to 1.021. David Hamilton - 2B - 1-4, walk Mario Feliciano - C - 1-4 Feliciano allowed zero passed balls and no runner attempted to steal on him https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-desert-dogs/2021/11/09/667372#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667372

Five Biloxi Shuckers have elected free agency: OF - Mitch Longo - 26 - signed in May after Indians' release, then carried the Biloxi offense for most of the year - .891 OPS in 293 PAs at Biloxi, though struggled in limited AAA action (.528 OPS in 59 PAs) OF - Alexander Palma - 26 - signed in November 2019 - .705 OPS in 347 PAs at Biloxi LHP - Leo Crawford - 24 - acquired from Dodgers in December for Corey Knebel - 4.92 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 64.0 innings at Biloxi RHP - Jesus Castillo - 26 - signed in December 2019 - 4.74 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 5.7 K/9 in 95.0 innings at Biloxi and struggled in limited AAA action (6.75 ERA. 1.50 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 10.2 innings) RHP - Brooks Hall - 31 - signed in June from the independent Lancaster Barnstormers in return to Brewers who'd drafted him in 2009 (elected FA in 2016) - injured in his 2nd appearance this year - 9.82 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 14.7 K/9 in 3.2 innings at Biloxi

Rafters Lose Another Close One, 4-3 to Saguaros. Hintzen a Bright Spot The Rafters led 1-0 and tied it up at 3-3 in the third inning, but failed to score from there in this 7-inning contest. Reds' infielder Ivan Johnson (23-year old, 2019 4th round pick) hit his 6th homer in 58 AFL plate appearances. David Hamilton - 2B - 0-2, walk Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 0-3 J.T. Hintzen - 2.0 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 walks, 4 Ks https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-saguaros/2021/11/08/667378#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667378

11 Nashville Sound players have opted for free agency: - OF - Matt Lipka - 29 - acquired from Diamondbacks for cash in late June - .792 OPS in 267 PAs in Nashville - 3B/1B - Zach Green - 27 - signed in December - .716 OPS in 378 PAs in Nashville - C - Christian Kelley - 28 - signed in May after Pirates' release - .716 OPS in 149 PAs in Nashville - IF - Daniel Robertson - 27 - signed to MLB deal in January - saw MLB time in April & May (.577 OPS in 90 PAs); .370 OPS in 88 PAs in Nashville {Personal thought: In late May, when we opted to retain Robertson and DFA Jace Peterson instead, we were darn lucky that Peterson went unclaimed and chose to stay in the system} - UT - Tim Lopes - 27 - claimed from Mariners in December - saw MLB time in June & September (.282 OPS in 11 PAs); .706 OPS in 370 PAs in Nashville - OF - Derek Fisher - 28 - acquired from Blue Jays for RHP Paxton Schultz in February - injured most of the year; saw MLB time in June (.750 OPS in 8 PAs); .578 OPS in 85 PAs in Nashville {Personal thought: It would have made sense to DFA one of Fisher (lefty OF), McKinney (lefty OF/1B) or Jace Peterson (lefty UT) in late April instead of Phil Bickford. Oh well} - OF - Keon Broxton - 31 - signed in September after Twins' release - .349 OPS in 42 PAs in Nashville - LHP - Blaine Hardy - 34 - signed in February - brief Covid callup to MLB club in August (1.0 bad inning); 2.63 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 68.1 innings in Nashville - RHP - R.J. Alvarez - 30 - signed in April - 4.08 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 11.2 K/9 in 35.1 innings in Nashville - RHP - Chad Sobotka - 28 - acquired from Braves in Orlando Arcia trade in April - 4.85 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 6.7 K/9 in 39.0 innings in Nashville - RHP - Patrick Weigel - 27 - acquired from Braves in Orlando Arcia trade in April - saw MLB time in April & May (4.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 20.3 K/9 in 4.0 innings); 7.27 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 in 43.1 innings in Nashville

Following Mass Haas' link down the rabbit hole, I count at least 15 Brewers on various winter league rosters: Ethan Small – Dominican Republic – Leones del Escogido – 8.0 innings, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 7.9 K/9 Miguel Sanchez – Dominican Republic – Toros del Este – 2.0 innings, 9.00 ERA, 3.50 WHIP, 18.0 K/9 Andy Otero – Dominican Republic – Estrellas de Oriente – 8.0 innings, 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 Note on Old Friend Jose Cuas – Brewers’ 2015 11th round infielder, cut in 2018; reinvented himself as a pitcher and was terrific for Royals AA club this year (1.95 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 32.1 innings) – playing for Aguilas Cibaenas this winter Alex Palma – Venezuela – Leones de Caracas – 34 PAs, .688 OPS Jesus Castillo – Venezuela – Bravos de Margarita – 3.0 innings, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3.0 K/9 Jesus Lujano – Venezuela – Tiburones de La Guaira – 6 PAs, 1.200 OPS Harold Chirino – Venezuela – Caribes de Anzoategui – 4.0 innings, 4.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 Antonio Pinero – Venezuela – Leones de Caracas – 9 PAs, .476 OPS Jose Sibrian – Venezuela – Cardenales de Lara Recent Friend: Luis Castro – Venezuela – Bravos de Margarita – 31 PAs, .433 OPS Patrick Weigel – Puerto Rico – Cangrejeros de Santurce Braden Webb – Puerto Rico – Indios de Mayaguez – 2.0 innings, 4.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 Nash Walters – Puerto Rico – Indios de Mayaguez – 1.1 innings, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 Fernando Olguin – Mexico – Tomateros de Culiacan – 7.1 innings, 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 Mario Perez – Mexico – Yaquis de Obregon – 0.2 inning, 27.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 0.00 K/9 Ramon Carrasco – Mexico – Naranjeros de Hermosillo – 3.2 innings, 4.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 7.4 K/9

Desert Dogs Crush Rafters 11-2. Jarvis, Zhao, Floyd Yield 10 Runs. Justin Jarvis started and got into the 4th inning scoreless, before giving up 3 runs and handing over to Lun Zhao with 2 on and 2 outs. Zhao promptly gave a double, walk and home run to see the deficit balloon to 8-0. The home run was to Carson Taylor, 22-year old Dodger catcher (4th rounder in 2020). It also didn't help that the Rafters went 0-16 with runners in scoring position. Mario Feliciano - C - 3-4, 1 walk Joe Gray Jr. - LF - 1-4 David Hamilton - SS - 1-4 Justin Jarvis - 3.2 innings, 5 earned runs, 4 hits, 3 walks, 3 Ks, 1 wild pitch Lun Zhao - 0.1 inning, 3 earned runs, 2 hits, 1 walk, 1 K, 1 balk Taylor Floyd - 1.0 inning, 2 earned runs, 4 hits, 0 walks, 2 Ks, 1 wild pitch https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-desert-dogs/2021/11/06/667380#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667380

Rafters Fall to Solar Sox 3-2. Gray Homers, Hamilton Reaches 4 Times. An 8th inning home run by Kameron Misner (Marlins 2019 pick - 35th overall) broke a 2-2 tie, while the Rafters were only able to muster 3 hits in the contest. Joe Gray Jr.'s 2nd inning homer had tied the game at 1-1. J.T. Hintzen rediscovered his best stuff, while Abner Uribe worked himself into and out of a jam in the 6th inning. Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 1-3, HR, walk, 1 RBI David Hamilton - 2B - 1-1, double, 3 walks, 1 SB, 1 CS J.T. Hintzen - 1.0 inning, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, 3 Ks Abner Uribe - 1.0 inning, 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 walks, 2 Ks, 1 wild pitch https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-solar-sox/2021/11/05/667364#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667364

Rafters Break Skid, Defeat Solar Sox 2-0 Slade Cecconi (Diamondbacks' 33rd overall pick in 2020) and Garrett Hill (Tigers' 26th round selection in 2018) led the pitching effort, throwing 6 innings and striking out 9. As a team, the Rafters struck out 15 Solar Sox, who also left 13 men on base. David Hamilton was the sole Brewer to see action in this one. David Hamilton - 0-4 https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rafters-vs-solar-sox/2021/11/04/667377#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667377

Ethan Small is playing for Leones del Escogido in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana (LIDOM) this winter and it's going terrific so far: 2 starts: 8.0 innings, 0 runs, 3 hits, 5 walks, 7 Ks The team's roster includes Albert Pujols, Pedro Strop and probably some names that others will recognize: http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/roster.jsp?sid=l131&t=t_ros&cid=671

Rafters Drop Another Close One, 3-2 to Saguaros - Losing Streak Up to Six Games At least the men didn't blow a lead this time. Instead, the team fell behind 3-0 by the 3rd inning, clawed back to 3-2 by the 6th inning but could get no further. Two Brewers (Feliciano, Gray), but didn't produce much unfortunately. Mario Feliciano - C - 0-3 Joe Gray Jr. - CF - 0-3, walk Feliciano had 3 runners steal on him and had a throwing error to first https://www.mlb.com/gameday/saguaros-vs-rafters/2021/11/03/667363#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=667363