AFL Update: Nov. 18, 2015
Salt River scored twice in the 1st and held on to the lead for a 4-2 win over Mesa to stave off elimination.
Two Nationals appeared in the game.
John Simms got the start and went three innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk while striking out two. He threw 45 pitches, 33 for strikes. He was credited with the win, his fourth in five starts for Salt River, and has posted an ERA of 1.88 and a WHIP of 1.21.
Christopher Bostick had another strong game. Batting second and playing 2B, the 22-y.o. walked, doubled, and homered in four plate appearances. In 19 games this fall, he’s posted a line of .275/.324/.565 with four HR’s, five SB’s, and 12 RBI.
The two teams switch venues for this afternoon’s game. Scottsdale, which must lose for Salt River to have a shot at the title game, hosts Peoria tonight. The Rafters and Scorpions close out the fall season with a game tomorrow afternoon.
Bravo to Simms and Bostick. If nothing else, I think both have earned invitations to the MLB camp in the spring. Bostick may also have played himself into a promotion to AAA.
Simms may have played himself . . . into being a more desirable trade chip. We’ll see. As I’ve noted before, I don’t say this because I want him gone, but because the Nats generally have not as highly valued the guys who don’t throw in the upper 90s. The progress of Voth, Simms, and Austen Williams in relation to that of some of their higher-voltage colleagues may start to challenge that dynamic. Mike (and potentially Greg) Maddux could bring a new voice (or voices) to that discussion as well. If Greg were to work with the minor leaguers, you know he would love those guys.
It’s amazing when you consider we received Bostick for practically nothing.
That was Rizzo doing what he does best–getting good value in trades.
Because of his power, I like Bostick as a potential starting second baseman more than I do Difo. In fact, I would guess that his emergence makes the latter into much more of a potential trade chip.
Or, perhaps Bostick has played his way into being a trade chip.
Difo is a sell low right now. He did not have a failed year, but it was a disappointing one. Bostick’s value may never get higher.
As for Simms, it’s hard to tell. People like Doug Fister succeeded based on knowing how to pitch, and apparently he does. Whether someone is a chip may not be as relevant a point as whether someone is untouchable or not. Then, it is all about whether another team values them, not whether the Nats do. Just like Jordan vs. Ray with Dombrowski. Jordan was untouchable, Ray was not.
Good point about Bostock Grissom
Especially considering how fast Schrock
Abreau and Meiija could rise
Still dig Difo