AFL/Offseason Update: Oct. 8, 2022
If you got caught in traffic and showed up to the Peoria Sports Complex in the 3rd inning, you’d have missed all the action. The Saguaros scored three runs in both the 1st and 2nd innings while the Javelinas answered with one and four respectively as Peoria lost its first contest, 6-5 in seven innings.
Just two (2) Nationals appeared in the game.
● Will Frizzell made his AFL debut as the Javelinas DH, connecting on a two-out single in the 2nd and scoring ahead of Jose Caballero’s two-out, two-run double. Alas, Washington’s 8th Rd. Pick in the 2021 draft struck out swinging in the 4th and 7th innings.
● Orlando Ribalta closed out the game with two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, no walks, and striking out three. He threw 28 pitches, 15 for strikes.
Peoria remains home for a third straight game, hosting the Mesa Solar Sox this afternoon. Tim Cate is expected to get the start for the Javelinas.
2022 DSL NATIONALS
Last year, we noted how much of the team was simply a reboot, that the newbies were just that: younger players closer in line to the league average. However, we also predicted that there would be a fair amount of repeats this year, given the removal of a third short-season team.
Like a rock star dating a model, you’ll be *shocked* to learn this was the case. Nine batters and eleven pitchers stayed put, which raised the average age of the batters from 17.8 to 18.0 and the pitchers from 18.8 to 19.1.
I wish I could say this was the case with the rest of the league, but the average ages for the batters and pitchers decreased slightly: 17.8 from 17.9 for hitters and 18.6 from 18.7 for the arms. Occam’s Razor suggests that most teams were more willing to cut bait.
Despite a more experienced team, the D-Nats fell below the .500 mark (29-31) after a 34-25 finish in 2021. Even a MASN Commenter can see why: The pitching, while still good (4.62 R/G vs. 5.11 Lg. Avg.), fell back considerably while the batting only improved marginally (4.45 R/G vs. 3.93 in ’21). The defense also fell back but was still a tick better than average, apart from preventing stolen bases – a 35% CS rate vs. 29%.
Weirdly, the ’22 D-Nats neither ran much (63 SB’s) nor did other teams run much against them (94 attempts). This was in a 49-team league that had 22 teams steal 100 or more bases in a 60-game season.
For those who obsess over signing bonuses, the $4.925M Cristhian Vaquero was outperformed by the $10K Misael Mojica, which only matters to those players, their families, and su buscoñes.
And, as always, we close with the obligatory Top 5’s (repeats in italics):
| TOP 5 BATS | TOP 5 ARMS |
| 1. 18-y.o. Jhoan Contreras, 1B .281 GPA, .428SLG, 21RBI |
1. 19-y.o. Jefrem Leon, RHSP 2-0, 0 SV; 2.00/2.70/1.11, 8BB, 0HR in 7GS (36IP) |
| 2. 19-y.o. Winder Diaz, SS .275 GPA, 36BB in 50G |
2. 19-y.o. Camilo Sanchez, RHRP 1-0, 2 SV; 2.53/2.69/0.94, 1.27 BB/9IP, 7.59 K/9IP in 21⅓ IP (11G, 1GS) |
| 3. 17-y.o. Misael Mojica, 2B/SS .262 GPA, 34BB in 56G |
3. 18-y.o. Angel Roman, RHRP 2-1, 0 SV; 2.96/3.29/1.13, 11.5 K/9IP in 27⅓ IP (14G) |
| 4. 17-y.o. Christhian Vaquero, DH/OF .256 GPA, 17SB, 22RBI in 55G |
4. 18-y.o. Doimil Perez, RHP 2.76/3.29/1.04, 6.1 H/9IP in 32⅔ IP (13G, 6GS) |
| 5. 18-y.o. Enmanuel Ramirez, LF/RF .226 GPA, 47/50G in OF |
5. 18-y.o. Marcos Fortunato, RHSP 4.36/3.65/1.22, 1.9 BB/9IP in 43⅔ IP (11G, 8GS) |
Just one honorable mention, to 17-y.o. Jorgelys Mota with a .741 OPS (third-best on the team) in 23 games. Folks interested in seeing the full team’s statistics can find them here.
Orlando Ribalta making a name for himself this autumn …
The bloated AFL rosters are unfair to all the players. They’re not going to get much out of just playing every third or fourth game. I would think that situation would increase K’s too, when they’re not seeing live pitching every day.
I think we were all disappointed that Vaquero didn’t debut stateside. He did OK, certainly better than Cruz did in 2021 (before a much better 2022). The most encouraging stats with Vaquero are 15.3% BB and 17.6% K — excellent plate disciple and contact. If he can maintain those levels as his power comes, he’ll progress well. There also shouldn’t be as much pressure of expectations on him with so many other young OFs in the system now.