AFL Update: Oct. 30, 2018
Salt River wasted no time getting back on the wat..er, winning track as they dropped five in the 1st, capped off by an Earl weaver special from Jake Noll (pictured above), and cruised to a 12-3 win over Mesa.
Noll, who also singled in the 3rd, drove in four total to hit safely in his third straight game. Alas, he also committed his second error. After seven games, he’s 5-for-29 with a double, a HR, and eight RBI.
Carter Kieboom was the second of two Nationals to appear in the Rafters’ lineup. He had his third three-hit game over the last week, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. In 12 games, he’s posted a line of .310/.463/.429 with a homer, a triple, and four RBI.
Kieboom is one of two Nationals who were named yesterday to this Saturday’s “Fall Stars Game,” which will be broadcast on the MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com. Joining Spencer’s younger brother on the AFL East roster will be Ben Braymer.
The third-place Solar Sox and first-place Rafters rematch this afternoon in Mesa.
I’ll bring forward some of the Kieboom conversation from the last post. I agree with Pilch that we won’t see Kieboom on Half Street until June (Super Two) at the earliest . . . unless they have a real panic situation, like they did with Soto. But most likely, it will be June, both because of Super Two and because he still needs AA time, and will need time at 2B . . . if that’s where he’s going to play.
Will, I had also thought of bringing back Murph, as Kendrick insurance at 2B and as Zim insurance/sub at 1B. I think Murph’s asking price went down a lot with last season. He’s very limited defensively, but he might have the biggest potential upside offensively among the guys on the market. I doubt he’s the Nats’ first choice, but I wouldn’t rule him out.
Will the Nats sign another 2B, or wait on Kieboom? Let’s just say that Kieboom’s surge this last week or so is very well timed as the Nats try to decide. But no, they can’t commit to Difo starting, even for a month. If Kendrick isn’t healthy, then sign a legit option, preferably someone who can play multiple positions.
The Nats must know the status of Kendrick’s rehab. If they don’t think he will be able to play 2B well enough, then they might well think about re-signing Murphy, who also could be the LH backup for Zim at 1B. His diminished defense should bring his value down to maybe $8 mil for a NL team. I can’t think of a top AL team looking for a DH.
Reading rehab is tricky. The Nats completely misread the health of Murphy, Eaton, and Zim last offseason/spring, and that mistake cost them dearly.
I’m not comfortable with Difo starting for any extended period. His wRC+ last year was 71, OBP only .298. His career wRC+ is 74. He is who his numbers say he is — a utility guy who shouldn’t start for a contender, and who shouldn’t bat that often. Yet over the last two seasons, he has batted 821 times for the Nats. Yikes.
They should try Austin Davidson before committing badly needed payroll to another 2nd baseman especially with 19 year old Luis Garcia no the way. I still see Carter Kieboom at shortstop … Turner makes excellent trade bait and they should do it now before he loses value.