AFL Update: Oct. 27, 2022
Peoria and Glendale changed leads six times in the first seven innings but neither team could push across the go-ahead run over the last seven turns at bat to finish with a 5-5 tie in 10 innings.
Drew Millas (pictured above) was the sole National to appear in the game. He was the Javelinas’ designated hitter and went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two strikeouts. The two hits improved his Fall line to .343/.368/.629 in nine games.
Peoria (9-10) travels to Scottsdale (9-10) for a game tonight.
Somebody needs to ask Mike Rizzo of the criminal neglect of Will Frizzell. It’s gotten ridiculous.
I know I’m sounding like a broken record, but the playing time for Nationals players in the AFL has been ridiculous on several levels. I’ve already said plenty about the stupidity of naming 6 batters, when there was only playing time for 3. However, what’s become apparent by now is that there isn’t even the normal allocation of playing time available for Nationals batters.
184 games have been played by Peoria batters. Divided between 5 teams, each team should be expected to have abour 36-37 games each. But here’s the actual breakdown
1. Mariners 43 games (4 players)
2. Mets 39 games (4 players)
3. Guardians 36 games (3 players)
4. Padres 35 games (3 players)
5. Nats 31 games (6 players)
That’s not equitable just on a total basis, but the inequity is compounded when you compare it per player. It’s clear the Mariners and Mets got slightly more playing time due to having an extra batter, but even divided among all teams, each team is averaging 10-12 games per player, except the Nats who are getting 5.2. Why on earth is the team with the most players getting the least playing time??
So this lack of playing time isn’t just being driven by the Nationals decision, but the Peoria coaches. Other players have been significantly favored ahead of our guys. Nats batters should have played at least 10 games more than they have to date.
An aside: statistically, 2 of the Javelinas best 3 hitters are Nationals (Millas and Antuna).
after watching the two of them play in AA, I truly believe that pitching is terrible in the AFL