It’s No Surprise: Sagauros Lose Title Game, 6-0
Behind six perfect innings from Cubs prospect Caleb Kilian and six runs from the Solar Sox bats, the Sagauros went quietly (one hit, one walk) in the AFL Championship game for a 6-0 shutout.
Jackson Cluff, who was named Defensive Player of the Year*, led off and played shortstop for Surprise but went hitless in four AB’s with two K’s.
* Or the 2021 AFL season; your mileage may vary
Drew Millas once again caught the game and batted eighth again, but went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
Nuke LaLoosh Jackson Rutledge was the second man out of the ‘pen for the Sagauros but was dinged for two runs on three hits and four walks over three and a 1/3rd innings. He racked up seven strikeouts but needed 73 pitches to get his ten outs, throwing 38 for strikes.
Somehow, we made it through the longest offseason ever to get to the weirdest season in recent memory. That’s the 11th season we’ve covered, the ninth Lee has graced us with his photo artistry, and the twelfth year for this layer of the Natmosphere.
Spike lives!
Thanks to Lee for his photos, he was notably missing this last week.
Now we wait to see how bad the injuries are to Cole Henry and Donovan Casey.
A great 6 weeks for Jackson Cluff, who went from semi-prospect to someone to really keep an eye on in 2022. Donovan Casey had a good AFL season too.
As for pitching, a lot of good stories. Henry, Peterson, Lee all pitched well. Rutledge, not so much.
The offseason officially begins!
Happy I could share Mark.
Thanks again for your continued support.
Alberto Guerrerro RHP from….PANAMA.. that makes six.
maybe he is a Senator maybe he gets started in Wilmington.
Watson stepping outside the allergies box of Rizzo?? lol
Thanks very much for your coverage and insight!
I guess any questions about the short path ahead for the Nats mindset / direction is all tied in with the CBA no matter what players heal properly or remain on the IL or Luke’s Witness Protection
Luke and Lee ty for raising Arizona vibration of the screen even more from the mundane . Bravo
Perhaps the big question which remains to be seen CBA signed anew or not : is this a retool or a rebuild in 22 separate from Rizzo allergies to signing certain
Categories of players available or aka “ posted Monday “ lol
Are you referring to Rizzo’s Asian player allergy?
Indeed
don’t forget Mexicano-phobic – Rafael Martin is the only Mexican we’ve ever signed – and he was 25-26 at the time. That singleton matches our total from the US Virgin Islands (Telmito). We’ve actually signed 5 Panamanians (3 in one year) and 5 Colombians, but zero Asians or Ozzies.
Now there’s a blast from the past. Rafael Martin spent 8 years with the Nats org. Got his cups of coffee in 2015 & 2016, then made 52 appearances for Syracuse in 2017 and has never pitched North of the border since.
He was still pitching in the Mexican League in 2021.
Good to see Pedro Severino extend his career In Milwaukee.
Count me in on that as well.
Pedro is one of my all time Fall League favorite players.
Luke a dogs expressions says it all ….
Nice meeting you Alou2alu.Thanks for your support too.
Glad I could add some flavor to the mix.
Yes, if Henry were healthy, he likely would have been the starter in the title game. Of course it’s possible that he’s not hurt, that he reached the number of innings/pitches the Nats had indicated and got shut down. Harder to say with Casey, although they must not be too concerned since they added him to the 40-man.
And yes, thanks very much to Luke and to Lee for the coverage.
Now we fully enter into the winter of the Nats’ discontent. One suspects some of “our guys” will be leaving in trades for much-needed MLB roster improvement, although the true “prospect” capital in the system is thin. One also suspects that we’re not going to be seeing a lot of those minor-league free agents again. That means there also will be a lot of minor-league signings, if they intend to actually field full teams at AAA and AA.
Not all is bleak. There should be an interesting and powerful team in Fredericksburg next season in particular. And the Nats will be adding a really high draft pick next summer. Don’t screw it up!
Darin Baker first 21 draft pick to Harrisburg
You’re welcome KW.
Thank you for the shout out.
Jackson Cluff was not a surprise to a friend and colleague of mine who has been writing top prospect lists since the Fall League has been in existence.
He said the only thing that kept him from being a top 10 prospect was his playing AA ball at 24 years of age, a product of the 2 year Mormon mission he served.
He was rarely fooled or overmatched at bat and had excellent balance and range in the field.
His base stealing ability is also a plus tool.
Thank you Luke for another enjoyable season and giving me a class landing spot for the images.
Lee great job this AFL. You truly captured the players in some of their
most zen moments. in years they will look back at your lens eye in true appreciation.
you captured the personalities of Pederson and Henry in one photo. so contrasting.