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AFL Update: Oct. 19, 2023

The metaphorical beer was handed back and forth between the Sagauros and the Scorpions as a 7-2 lead went poof in the 7th, then an 8-7 lead went buh-bye in the 9th as the Scorpions literally walked off with a 9-8 win.

DJ Herz’s third AFL start was much like his first, as the 22-y.o. gave up a run on a homer, walked four, and struck out nine over four innings. He threw 79 pitches, 42 for strikes.

Israel Pineda got the start behind the plate and allowed two stolen bases in three attempts while allowing his third passed ball of the fall. At the plate, he batted third and was 1-for-3 with a run, a walk, and an RBI.

Robert Hassell shifted to centerfield and had two putouts, but the Scorpions’ No. 9 hitter made five outs in five trips to the plate, including a strikeout.

The two teams switch venues and rematch tonight in Surprise.



TRANSACTION UPDATE

Yesterday, Washington outrighted RHP Hobie Harris, OF Blake Rutherford, and IF Michael Chavis to Rochester. Rutherford and Chavis have already declared free agency. Earlier this month, RHP Victor Arano, LHP Anthony Banda, 2B Travis Blankenhorn, CF Derek Hill did the same.

6 Commments

  1. I know Herz’s control is an issue, but it’s not often you see a guy in the AFL get so many swings and misses, as Herz did yesterday (and in his previous 2 games).

    Of 35 pitchers to have started a game this season, Herz’s 14.7 K/9 is 3rd best, all while being a bit more than a year below league average. If he can continue to cut his walk rates down a little bit (his current walk rate in the AFL is actually below his career averages), the guy could turn into a scarily good player.

    1. Any tire tread left on Jared J Walsh after his Free Agency election following his Yo-yo past few years ???
      Keep an eye on old orioles who Haas and Mr C we’re connected with ..
      Interesting to see how the “ furniture is re-arranged on the front office / PD scrolls “

  3. Afte all the releases this month the 40 man is full but not over after the 60 man injury list is added.

    I bring this up because Herz is definitely going to added to the 40 man, along with a few others. Agree with Will that Herz has great potential, just needs a little more seasoning.

    1. I count 42 currently on the list: https://www.mlb.com/nationals/roster/40-man

      There’s a few that could be DFA’d without any loss (La Sorsa, Machado, Munoz, D. Smith, Downs, Call) and Strasburg, whose situation really needs to be sorted out.

      Still, that very little flexibility, when we still have a number of FAs to pick up, and R5 players to add. There’s necessarily going to be a bunch of very tough decisions to be made about players like Jeremy de la Rosa. Hopefully Rizzo has learned from his carelessness in adding prospects to the 40 man far too soon and doesn’t make the same mistakes yet again this December.

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