AFL/Offseason Update: Oct. 19
The Rafters were held scoreless in the 1st and 4th innings, but put up crooked numbers in the other six “ups” in a 14-4 smackdown of the Javelinas.
Robert Hassell was the only National in the starting lineup. He batted fifth and went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple, three RBI, and a run scored. Defensively he played in center and made three putouts.
Chase Solesky was the first man out of the Salt River ‘pen but was touched for three runs on four hits, including a double and homer. He pitched the 4th and 5th innings without a walk and four strikeouts.
Luke Young pitched the 9th and worked around a two-out double for another scoreless inning.
The Rafters finish up the week with an afternoon road game in Glendale
THE 2024 FCL NATIONALS
A year ago in this space, I wrote about how the minors may be settling into a new Normal. Then the MLB decided that the FCL would begin in early May instead of early June. That may not seem like a big difference, but coupled with the First-Year player draft happening a month later, the net effect is that most of this year’s draft picks did not play in regular-season games this past summer.
While this year that may have benefited the players making the leap stateside, it remains to be seen what will happen next year. In theory, you could have some 2024 draft picks that never appear in a regular-season game because they will have been cut after instrux, accelerated camp (if that’s still a thing), and spring training. But given that teams seem to be drafting more college juniors than seniors, that may be unlikely since the proverbial clock is still roughly the same.
What does seem less likely: International signees skipping the DSL. That’s because the 165-player limit doesn’t apply to foreign leagues and thus there’s an incentive to keep them there until they’re positive they’re ready.
The 2024 edition was never in contention despite having the second-oldest pitchers (21.5 vs. 20.7) and batters (19.9 vs. 19.3) in the league. Much like the full-season teams at AA and A+, the F-Nats had trouble hitting water after falling off a pier with a 4.22 R/G (vs. 4.9). The pitchers were nearly as inept, giving up 5.56 R/G, but the fielders were only a notch below the average (.956 vs. .960FA).
With that, we close out with the obligatory Top 5’s:
| TOP 5 BATS | TOP 5 ARMS |
| 1. Carlos Tavares, 1B/LF .299 GPA, .409 OBP, 13 2B in 30G |
1. Brayan Romero, RHSP 2.52/3.26/1.02, 2.1 BB/9IP in 39⅓ IP |
| 2. Nate Rombach, C .284 GPA, .475 SLG% in 29G |
2. Angel Roman, RHRP 2.97/3.28/1.17, 7.6 H/9IP in 33⅓ IP |
| 3. Winder Diaz, CF/SS .246 GPA, 2XBH in 28G |
3. Doimil Perez, RHRP 4.97/4.10/1.76, 12.1 K/9IP, 4.97 BB/9IP in 29 IP |
| 4. Enmanuel Ramirez, RF .228 GPA, 15BB in 42G |
4. Reilin Ramirez, RHRP 4.68/4.78/1.32, 1.9 BB/9IP in 25 IP |
| 5. Elian Soto, 1B/OF .208 GPA, 27BB, 51K in 41G |
5. Camilo Sanchez, RHSP 5.82/4.82/1.38, 11.45 K/9IP, 4HBP, 9WP in 43⅓ IP |
As has been the case for most of this decade, the sample sizes are very small – only 11 batters had more than 100PA; eight pitchers surpassed 20IP, 13 had more than 10IP. Just two of the batters were above the league average for GPA, and one of them (Romnach) was 23. Likewise, only two of the pitchers had FIPs below 4, even when this year’s FIP constant was on the high side (3.82).
Folks interested in seeing the full teams stats can find them here. FIP data can be found here.
Hassell so far has performed exceptionally well in the AFL. He could be a strong contender for an OF position in 2025. Look out, JY!
Do the hustle ! The Hassell 3 hustle !
I really want to believe in the Hassell resurgence. It is A) a very small sample size, though, and B) fair to wonder about the quality of the pitching in a game where his team scored two touchdowns.
Still, the numbers are quite fun: 11 hits and 11 RBIs in 6 games, with 5 doubles, a triple, and a homer.
if nothing else a strong AFL will give him confidence going into next year at Rochester. Jacob Young is a great story but this guy COULD be the real deal.
I’m certainly happy Hassell is doing well, and hope it continues, but it’s worth mentioning that Young at 22 in AA had a wRC+ of 124. Hassell’s, at the same age and level, was 113.
My priors on Hassell are a bit too stubborn to be washed away by 27 PAs in the desert and, beyond even that, I just don’t understand the subset of fans that keep trying to push Young off the team.
If the Young really gets forced out, by Hassell or another prospect or just a crazy trade offer Rizzo can’t refuse, fine. But none of those paths are very likely, and it’s strange how often it comes up.
You’re preaching to me, SMS. Young has produced the most value on offense of any Nat drafted since…. Anthony Rendon, and half the fanbase is trying to find a way to bench/trade him.
Me, I’m loving every second of his outrageously good defense, and hope he can make a few small tweaks on being smarter on attempting to steal, and making better decisions at the plate. If he could improve like 10% offensively, he could be a scarily good, well rounded player.
I asked a few days ago, but Cayden Wallace has gone missing for a week now. That’s highly worrying.
I’ve said before that Hassell is the most confounding of prospects. If you look back at articles at the time of the trade, there were no doubts that he was going to hit. Then came the series of injuries, and likely some loss of confidence. He was off to a solid start in 2024 before more hand issues and two missed months. We’re still not completely sure what he looks like healthy. Maybe this is it.
I have a buddy who lives in Franklin Tn and he says Hassell 3 is lengendary there .
Luke nice expo – say about the liquid flow of the minor league chicanery over time of player prospect limits , time schedules for short season leagues . Makes one ponder back to the days where some orgs stocked two separate state side affiliates like some orgs do in DSL .
Interesting to see what Carlos Tavares does in 2025.
Beautiful Saturday in Harrisburg
Where many walked their steps in supper for breast cancer fund raising .
Sushi on 2nd St which I recall going to in 1998 when the Sens had Jolbert Cabrera on the roster .
Maybe Viandel Peña will be on 25 Sens to eat there .