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AFL Update: Nov. 10, 2017

Mesa couldn’t hold a 2-1 lead late and and couldn’t outslug Peoria as they fell in 10 innings, 5-4.

Just one National appeared in the starting lineup. Kelvin Gutierrez (pictured above, throwing out speedster Lourdes Gurriel) lowered his batting average again with a 2-for-5 afternoon but extended his on-base streak to seven games. He also drew a walk, stole a base, and struck out.

Two relievers made an appearance. Dakota Bacus turned in a perfect inning, mowing ’em down on 13 pitches (10 strikes) in the 7th. Austen Williams struck out the side in the 8th but was also lit up for two runs on two hits for a blown save.

The Solar Sox, who still lead the AFL East by 1½ games, visit the Rafters this afternoon.

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Today is the observation Veterans Day. If you’ll permit me a plug from my day job, please read A Practical Guide to Honoring Vets on Veterans Day.

6 Commments

  1. I really don’t know what to make of Gutierrez. The guy is built like a brickhouse, but hits like a player half his size.

    With a frame like his, of course he’s projected to develop power, but with some nearly 400 minor league games under his belt, he’s still never displayed any semblance of power. His best power numbers were this year, with a measly .126 ISO. That’s only slightly better than Strasburg’s ISO (.111) or Wieters (.118) this past season. And that’s his BEST…

    Gutierrez has displayed a great hit tool, keeping his Ks down (until this season) and hitting for average. Even though he’s faring extremely well in the AFL, only 2 of his 10 hits have been for extra bases. And he’s 23 now. Can we expect this power to ever materialize?

    1. Exactly. If you’ve ever seen Gutierrez in person, he’s impressive. He’s the one who looks like a major-leaguer. But he has only SEVEN career homers across five seasons. You can’t play a corner position at a major college with numbers like that, much less in a major league.

      Meanwhile, you look at Daniel Johnson and wonder if he’s the bat boy . . . (He sure doesn’t look anywhere close to the listed 5-10, 185.)

      2. The KelvinG and Anderson Franco 3b depth chart spot reminds me of the two 3b Orioles had at FRED
        in last two years.

  2. Just let him get to the juiced ball in the big leagues and the homers will flow.

    I’m a big fan of contact over power. Ideally you get both, but that’s a Harper or a Rendon and there’s only so many of those to go around. Between the two, give me the contact guy.

    1. If Gutierrez gets a big-league camp invite, perhaps Jaron Long’s dad can Murphyfy his swing.

      Gutierrez had been “good contact” until Potomac this year, when his K rate spiked to a concerning 24.1 after just 15.6 at Hags in 2016.

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