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AFL Update: Oct. 14, 2021

The Saguaros broke out for four runs in the 9th, highlighted by a two-out, three-run double by Israel Pineda to take the 2021 Arizona Fall League opener, 5-0 from the Solar Sox.

Pineda, who came off the bench, finished 1-for-2 and caught the last four innings with no steal attempts or passed balls.

Donovan Casey (pictured) was the sole position player in the Surprise starting lineup. He batted leadoff and played centerfield (no defensive chances), but was just 1-for-5 with one run scored and four strikeouts.

Cole Henry was the only Washington pitcher to appear, coming on in the bottom of the 5th. He pitched two and 2/3rds scoreless innings, with six strikeouts to the first eight batters he faced before issuing a two-out walk in 7th. He threw 36 pitches, 25 for strikes.

Surprise’s home opener is this afternoon against Salt River.

10 Commments

  1. As I posted in yesterday’s thread, it seems Evan Lee DID make the AFL squad after all. He’s listed along with the 7 others on the Saguaro’s roster: https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league/teams/surprise-saguaros

    Don’t know why the Nationals got 8 roster spots when the norm is 7.

    Cole Henry looked electric yet again. Think this showcase could generate a lot of buzz about him, having mostly flown under the radar due to the injury.

  2. Henry is getting me more and more excited.

    I heard they are going to try and change Rutledge’s mechanics. I think a longer stride would be fantastic if he could make it work.

    21/22 is still so young for a catcher.

  3. So, Lee is back with his great photos? He had read earlier that he wouldn’t be doing it this year so we have a pleasant surprise.

    The more the better but does anyone know why we have 8 on the roster? I sure don’t.

    2. I still am suspicious that Drew Millas wasn’t actually named to the team. It makes little sense to name 5 catchers to a single team, especially 2 from the Nats alone (4 of the other 5 AFL teams only have 3 catchers total on their roster). Also Millas isn’t R5 eligible and already played a full season, so there’s little to be gained from forcing him to play another month of baseball behind the plate. There’s no urgency or need for him to be there.

      1. It’s my understanding that Pineda is the taxi squad guy, which in the past meant he could play on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

    3. Thank you Mark L.
      After seeing the Covid protocols and guidelines MLB put forth for this Fall League season I decided to give it a try and see if I could work comfortably.
      I always appreciate your kind words and support.

  4. Cole Henry posted better college stats, almost across the board, in a better conference (the best baseball conference) than Cavalli did. He fell in the draft mostly due to injury history. Henry may not have the red-line velocity of Cavalli or Rutledge, but he’s a more refined pitcher at this stage of their development.

  6. KW, I wouldn’t be surprised if in the spring Henry is higher rated than Rutledge. More refined is right.

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