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AFL/Offseason Update: Sept. 26, 2019


The Saguaros continue to roll in the AFL, as they took their fifth straight, 6-2 over the Javelinas.

Jakson Reetz, the Sagauros DH, went deep for the first time this fall with a solo shot to lead off the Surprise 2nd, in which the Saguaros took an early 3-0 lead. Alas, it would be the only hit for the Nats’ hitters as Luis Garcia, hitting second and playing short, went 0-for-5. Garcia had one assist and tagged out a would-be basestealer.

Nick Raquet was the first man out of the Surprise ‘pen, but was ineffective in his third appearance. The 23-y.o. southpaw gave up two runs on two hits and three walks over an inning and two-thirds while fanning just one. Andrew Lee (pictured above) stranded two while getting out of the 5th and put up goose eggs in the 6th and 7th. The 25-y.o. northpaw fanned five and gave up two hits but issued nary a walk.

With the win, Surprise sits atop the AFL West at 6-1. Tonight, they travel to Mesa to see how they’ll play outside Peoria.

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GARCIA NAMED TO BA’S EASTERN LEAGUE TOP 20
While I’m sure some folks will be upset at how low he came in on the ranking (#16), I’ll fire the pre-emptive shot and remind them (1) AA is where the best talent is these days (2) Garcia hit only four HR’s and drew just 17 walks. He made the list quite simply because he is only 19 and because scouts believe he’ll be an everyday major-leaguer. Like Carter Kieboom, there are doubts that he can stick at shortstop because of a “thick lower half.” [Insert Sir Mix-a-lot reference here] Unlike Kieboom, the scouts like his arm, and obviously the Nats agree as they opted to put him at 3B when both he and Yasel Antuna were in the same infield in Hagerstown last year.

NATIONALS NAME 2019 MINOR LEAGUE AWARDS
As noted in the comments, the Nationals unveiled their 2019 minors awards and adding two unnecessary categories to aid in future trade talks expanded the list by two:

  • Player of the Year – OF Yadiel Hernandez
  • Pitcher of the Year – LHP Tim Cate
  • Bob Boone Award – C Jakson Reetz
  • Defensive Player – SS/2B Luis Garcia
  • Baserunner – 2B/CF Cole Freeman

While not the September call-up that would have been more appropriate, especially in the final year of no restrictions, Hernandez finally gets some recognition and perhaps some love from the MASN commenters. No arguments aside from what the slash-through joke ought to make clear: the extra awards are exactly that.

19 Commments

  1. Nothing against Reetz, who does seem to have made some strides this year, but the Boone Award isn’t worth spit if Barrett didn’t win it. The only competition I saw for him in that category was Andrew Lee.

    There’s no doubt that Yaddy was the “best” hitter in the organization, although it didn’t even get him cup of coffee with the big club. Cate was very good, but it’s curious to give the award to him when they picked other pitchers over him to promote for the AA playoffs. Fuentes was probably the real “pitcher of the year,” but you reward better living through chemistry, I guess.

    Also nothing against Freeman and Garcia (16 errors), but those new awards are, um, is “silly” a kind enough word?

  2. Lee M. — nice photo of A. Lee. Who is standing out to you among the Nat farm hands you’ve seen in the AFL?

    On paper, it sure looks like A. Lee has been pretty dominant — 9 Ks in 6.1 IP in the AFL. Perhaps the biggest number for him is the “0” in the BB column as control has been an issue for him the last couple of years. Curiously, he had very low BB numbers before his injury. Maybe he’s had to re-learn to “trust his stuff.” Or maybe he’s gotten a couple of good tips from the coaches in AZ.

    1. Thank you!!~ Sterling’s been “sharp” so far and Andrew Lee has a great last name but Luis Garcia has been the most outstanding.
      7 of his hits are to the opposite field which shows an advanced approach for a 19 year old.
      And he’s been great to the fans, which always rates highly for me.

      1. Ty Lee. Good eyes on baseball imagery you have.
        Sharp being sharp in 2020 will only enhance the innings to eaten at the level he rises to.

  3. Oops, just noticed in my first comment that I left out “don’t” before “reward better living through chemistry.”

  4. Barrett received his love and praise from brass with the Sept 1 promotion.
    We know how ex catchers love their catchers hence Reetz with the Boone award.
    Different manners in motivating guys to keep doing what they are doing .
    Frederickburg Nats. Now time for a new hat . Should be interesting to see who configures the Opening Night lineup. Surely the SS from BYU and mission experience …

  5. Holy cow. I’d have never expected Yadiel to win player of the year, given the hoops the club had to jump through to avoid giving him playing time this year.

    Let’s hope this has awoken Rizzo to the fact that he has an extremely talented player at his disposal in the minors, who’s not getting any younger.

    Well deserved, Yadi.

  6. 16 seems about right for Garcia; his bat is not there quite yet but he’s already has an elite glove.

    Rooting big-time for Andrew Lee, who’s on his 3rd elbow and is lights out in Arizona.

    1. Most interesting rebuild or retool this winter ? Set aside complete rehauls as in Orioles year 2 Elias bureau.
      Pittsburgh , Cincy , SF, or Angels ?? Mariners ??

  7. Yadi had a nice year in the Pacifico Cuervesa League but Parra brought life to the dugout and clubhouse. Hands down fact

  8. Jeff — I’ll confess, and I probably wrote something about it here, that I was PO’d when the Nats signed Parra instead of giving Yadi a chance. Then Parra almost immediately got a few big hits, and dancing in the dugout and Baby Shark became a thing. Parra has reverted to the mean in the last month or so (0-for-30 or more), but there’s no doubt he’s the folk hero of the turnaround this season, much as Lombo, T-Mo, and Mikey Morse became folk heroes in 2012. It sure would be great to find a way to keep Parra in the system after he retires.

    1. KW. The same can be said for Suzuki being a catcher who would make a superb mentor , coach… skipper who can handle pitching staffs solo without much from his pitching coach.

    2. He’s batting .061/.132/.082 in 25 games since mid-August, and .187/.253/.308 in the second half. But since he’s such a fun clubhouse presence, just put him in Screech’s suit, and call him what he is: a mascot. Now that the rosters expanded, him hogging a spot on the roster is less critical, but it sure is a convoluted way to carry a player solely for his good nature.

  9. Obviously, it’s early in the AZL Fall League season, but will be interesting to see where Garcia rates in the prospect ratings for that elite prospect league.

    Garcia’s EL prospect ranking took a big hit because of his early season struggles, but if suddenly every EL player was available in a MLB distribution draft, Garcia would go higher than number 16.

    1. Anyone. Any birds on the wire inWPB with Antuna sightings in Instrux and how his road back is going ??

  10. Joe Sperle , Pitching and Baseball Guru and author Athletes Guide to Success releasing next month ,talked with Andrew Lee sharing with him his 30+ years of pitching,coaching experience, and knowledge after he struggled pitching in a Potomac Nationals Class A game against the Winston Salem Dash in Winston- Salem.

    Andrew was promoted to AA and retired all 12 batters he faces in his first AA outing.

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