AFL Update: Oct. 30, 2012
Ryan Perry tossed another five scoreless innings as the Salt River Rafters paddled the Phoenix Desert Dogs, 9-2 for their fourth straight win.
Perry allowed just one hit and no walks while striking out three. He needed just 42 pitches, 30 of which went for strikes, to get through the outing.
Former pro scout Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) had this to say, however, on Twitter:
Slow, over the head windup for Perry results in quick rush at finish. Breezes through first inning in order. Won’t miss many bats.
Brian Goodwin and Anthony Rendon also appeared in the game. Matt Skole did not, which appears to confirm an eyewitness account that he had tweaked something in his leg prior to being lifted for a pinch-hitter on Saturday.
Goodwin had a tough game, going 0-for-5 with two strikeouts and was picked off first after reaching on an error in the 7th. Pleskoff on Goodwin when I asked about him via Twitter:
Like him. Hits ball hard. Makes good contact. Solid accurate arm from LF. Have to see how he hits vs. better pitching in AA.
The 21-year-old North Carolina native had four putouts in left, and as Pleskoff alluded, gunned down a runner trying to stretch a single into a double.
Rendon went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. He made a single assist while playing third base. Pleskoff on Rendon:
Rendon loves fastballs. Seeing more off-speed pitches now. Timing them much better. Especially those that get too much plate.
Defense was broached in the second part of Byron Kerr’s two-part feature on Rendon, but Pleskoff noted that Rendon is moving well and appears motivated. I saw no such “lollygagging” in Rendon’s brief time in Woodbridge, just a bit of rust on a throw to first that went “unscooped” by defensive convert to the position (Stephen King).
With the win, Salt River improves to 10-7 in the AFL East, a full game in front of the Scottsdale Scorpions. The Rafters play host to the Saguaros tonight, their first evening game in nearly a week.
Lots of good stuff to chew on. Have to remind myself that Goodwin’s only 21 still.
Not sure what to make of Perry, has a terrific outing followed by badmouthing by a scout on the ground.
I usually interpret that to mean “not much movement” on the pitches, or perhaps even “flat fastball.” Obviously, in a 140-character environment, there’s not much room for context.
Luke – that was very helpful, thanks. Who is Pleskoff? I assume that you respect his opinion? His commentary on Goodwin as LF – was that just because he happened to be playing LF, or a bigger comment that he can’t handle CF at MLB level?
I spotted him on Twitter live-tweeting at AFL games. He’s a former scout for the Mariners and Astros and writes for MLB.com and Rotowire.com, and figured his opinions would be worthwhile to discuss.
After talking to people who played against Goodwin in college and having seen him quite a bit in Harrisburg he has a lot of work to do to be a good cf.
Thanks Sensfan. I assume that is mostly means better reads?
Yes, right now Eury Perez is a much better outfielder when he applies himself.
Looks like Rendon, Goodwin and Barrett were selected for the Rising Stars Game: http://www.masnsports.com/byron_kerr/2012/10/goodwin-rendon-and-barrett-selected-for-afl-rising-stars-game.html
Can’t tell if Rendon’s selection is a result of his hype or whether there just aren’t many other good 3B options…
Thanks Luke. There are some interesting Nats stories in the AFL, and your inclusion of Kerr’s and Pleskoff’s opinions are an added bonus. Rendon will have to hit the slow breaking ball, so the AFL is a good test for him. Not at all surprised to learn from Pleskoff that his timing on breaking balls is already improving, the way he holds back on his swing and torques his wrists at the last split second.