AFL Update: Oct. 4, 2022
The Peoria Javelinas broke up the shutout and then some, scoring five times in the top of the 9th to erase a 3-0 deficit and take the season opener from the Glendale Desert Dogs, 5-3.
Three Nationals were in the starting lineup and one came out of the bullpen.
Robert Hassell played right field and batted third but went 0-for-3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly. He had two putouts and fielded two hits.
Yasel Antuna was in the other corner OF slot and walked once in four plate appearances. He committed an error on the first ball he fielded and caught the second for an out.
Drew Millas caught the game and had eight putouts (all on strikeouts), no assists, and there were no steal attempts by the Desert Dogs.
Lucas Knowles came on in the 7th inning as the third man out of the Peoria ‘pen and set the side down in order on 15 pitches (10 for strikes).
The Javelinas remain on the road, playing tonight in Surprise.
It’s that time of year when Baseball America explores new ways to generate page views, including the 2022 Minor League All-Star team. Zach Brzykcy made the cut for the 2nd team as the top relief pitcher after a three-level season that saw him go 8-2 with 14 saves and a 1.76 ERA. He struck out 95 over 61⅓ innings and walked 29 for 9-inning rates of 13.9 and 4.3 respectively.
Coming attractions for Sens OF 23?
Antuna and Hassell on the corners ?
Toss in Harris , Mendez , Connell into the mix ??
Start collecting Rays?
Romero .
Eastern MCGee maybe ? 22 starts for rays in 21 for AAA
Watching a bit of Woodruff Brew Crew face the young Snakes who lineup like a future Nats lineup .
3 outfielders all swinging from left side top of order .. time will tell ..
One thing that’s interesting with Brzykcy is that he gives up so few hits that he’s still got a good WHIP despite too many walks. It’s also interesting how much his unhitability improved over last season. At Wilmington in 2021, he surrendered 7.9 hits per 9; in 2022 there it was 4.2, and 4.8 for the season across the three levels. That’s amazing improvement. Just got to get a better handle on the walks. One would think that he’ll be an NRI to the big league camp in the spring and seeing time at Nats Park at some point next summer.
With seven OFs on the Peoria roster, it’s surprising that Antuna got the start. I figured that he would mostly be a reserve, as he can’t be high on anyone’s list to see. Of course I would be pleased if he finds some way to turn things around and make it, but as of now, he’s not even in the top 10 OFs in the Nats’ system. (Hassell, Wood, Green, Vaquero, de la Rosa, Quintana, White, Lile, McKenzie, Cox [in some order])
Somebody in the f.o. sees something in Antuna. His numbers have been consistently bad for years. I don’t understand.
I recall one game against Rome where he was being pitched away the first two times up. he stroked the prettiest single to left the first time and hit one to the track in left the second time. next time up the pitcher (who was dealing) tries a fastball on the inside corner, he yanked a no doubter out to right.
he has the hit tools, he has not turned them into hit skills. you hold on to players like that until you can’t
Antuna’s shining summer was unseen, as there was a lot of hype surrounding what he did at the 2020 alternate site and subsequent Instrux, where he was said to be hitting bombs. Those developments got him added to the 40-man way too early (I think he’ll be on his final option next year, which will add to the pressure), and news of his exploits got leaked to the prospect gurus, vaulting him up the system prospect lists. Both of these things seem have hurt his development. They certainly know in the opposing dugout who is on the 40-man.
The Nats have a lot invested in him, and he’ll be given every opportunity to make it. He’ll only be turning 23 later this month. Other than his walk rate, though, there’s still not very much good in his actual numbers. In particular, he’s yet to show the power that will be necessary to make it as a corner OF (.338 SLG over two levels in 2022). He only has 30 careers homers in the minors.