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AFL Update: Oct. 18, 2017

The Solar Sox snapped a two-game slide with an 8-5 win over the Rafters.

Kyle McGowin got the start and the “W” with four scoreless innings, allowing four hits, no walks, and striking out five. He threw 62 pitches, 41 for strikes, not counting the hit batsman.

Daniel Johnson slid over to center field for this one, but still led off. He broke a two-game oh-fer streak with a walk, a pair of singles, and a stolen base. Defensively, he had one putout and no errors.

Taylor Gushue (pictured above) started for third time but went hitless again, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Down 8-0 at one point, Salt River did not attempt to steal, thus Gushue had no assists and all nine putouts came by way of the K.

The two teams rematch this afternoon in Mesa. The Solar Sox play day games tomorrow and Friday as well.

10 Commments

  1. Any word if Robles will be headed to the AZL now that the Nats’ season is over?

    Regardless, the AZL season will be a great experience for Daniel Johnson. Six months ago, he was batting 9th for low-class Hagerstown, and was considered a fringe prospect at best. Fast forward to October, Johnson is the Nats’ minor league POY, he received extended PT at high class A Potomac, and he is playing regularly in the AZL against the best of the best. He has made the most of a sliver opportunity, and continues to exploit it.

    OF, particularly CF, has the deepest talent pool in the organization.

    1. Because of the power he showed, Johnson has become one of the most intriguing guys in the Nats’ system. Whether he’s one of the “best,” or one of the ones with a good possibility to make it in the majors, is still unclear. It will be interesting to see whether he gets much notice while getting seen by the national prospect gurus in AZ.

      What’s most striking when you see Johnson in person is how small he is. The listed 5-10 is generous (but then I think the 5-6 Renda may have been listed as 5-10 as well). You would never, ever pick Johnson out as a top prospect based on how he looks. That would be Gutierrez . . . who would have to call an Uber to get a ball out of the park. Johnson looks like a high school kid next to Gutierrez. But Johnson hits line drives, lots of them, some of which travel a long way.

      A big key for Johnson as he moves forward will be his K/BB ratio. It was 100/35 in the regular season. That’s got to improve. Despite the homers, he may have to make it as more of a “speed” guy because of his size, and to do that, he needs the walks to get on base.

      So let’s see how he does in AZ. Stevenson sure managed to catch some attention there last year. I think I actually like Johnson’s overall upside better than Stevenson’s, as he has significantly more power and a stronger arm, but Stevenson was a lot more refined coming out of college than Johnson, who only had one year at a four-year program.

  2. E-mail from P-Nats says Prince William County has amended the Pfitz lease to include two one-year options, which would carry the club through the 2020 season.

    1. Two years coupled with a new tax break plan nationally could be just enough window room to get something done

      1. Perhaps the podcast chat by BA guys on Nats losing was spot on saying the stars did not perform , but maybe the Cubs Achilles heel was exposed by the dodgers ??
        Ironic if Jake Arrietta ends up with Cards.
        Interesting what Rizzo does this winter and if Doug Harris is still in org next spring

      1. Short list for Lerner/ Rizzo brain trust on next manager ?
        Randy Knorr?
        Tony LaRussa?
        Ron Roenecke?
        Billy Gardner, Jr?
        Chip Hale?
        Mystery guys?

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