AFL Update: Oct. 17, 2013
The Mesa Solar Sox smoked the Peoria Javelinas, 3-1 for their sixth straight win yesterday afternoon.
Steven Souza Jr. (pictured above) connected for a two-run single to erase a 1-0 deficit, highlighting Mesa’a three-run 6th. Souza also walked and played right field, where he made two putouts. Limited to two games a week as a taxi squad player, the 1-for-3 effort pushed his average to .364 (4-for-11) and a walk maintained his .500 on-base pct. Our Arizona correspondent/photographer Lee Magenheim caught up with the 24-y.o. outfielder after the game:
Brian Goodwin and Adrian Nieto also saw game action, with the centerfielder going 1-for-4 with a stolen base from the leadoff spot and the catcher going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts out of the No. 8 slot in the lineup. Goodwin made one putout, while Nieto had an assist and nine putouts.
Richie Mirowski made his second appearance, retiring the side in order in the 7th on ten pitches and finishing off the frame with a strikeout for his second hold.
The win improves Mesa to 6-0-1 and opens up a 4½ game lead in the AFL East. Matt Purke is set to take the hill tonight at home against Peoria.
I guess I could wait for the end of season wrap up Luke, but what’s your impression of Mirowski? I know he’s 24 but his numbers this year were very good.
I don’t drill down to that granular level, though Potomac is once I could… Mirowski was one of those either/or relievers but not the kind with blow-you-away stuff. Early in the season, he got lit up a lot — which was quite noticeable because it was in the 9th — but later on, not so much.
Is that photo funny making SS look like he is hitting LH or is he actually experimenting
with LH batting???
Yes, there is a process but please lets just hire Randy Knorr!!!
Hi Luke. Do you think you can give a summary of the BA write-up of the Nats’ draft report card?
Draft Report Card Summary:
Position Players:
Better hitter: Drew Ward
Fast runner: Isaac Ballou
Best Defensive Player: David Masters
Pitchers:
Best Fastball: Jake Johansen,Nic Pivetta, Austin Voth
Best 2ndary pitch: Pivetta’s curve
Odds and Ends:
Best debut: Johansen and Voth
Best athlete: Ballou (compared him to former MLBer Fred Lewis)
Closest to majors: Johansen and Voth
Best pick: Ballou and Masters (both have solid chance to make a MLB roster which would be rare for 14th and 15th round picks)
Thanks Pichard. No a bad draft for a team with its first pick at# 68.
It’s an illusion of sorts — wanted a horizontal pic and this was the best one for that. He’s still a “northpaw.”
Turns out I was wrong — Lee sent me a replacement, so it’s now accurate.
Good work, Luke, getting someone down there to provide some eyeballs on the field.
That’s all Lee — props to Souza, too, for being so helpful. He actually showed Lee how to record the interview on an iPhone.
This was my first interview, ever, and I was a bit nervous. If y’all enjoy hearing a bit from the guys I will make future attempts, be more prepared, and let you hear more of them and less of me.