AFL Update: Nov. 16, 2018
Salt River reverted to the mean yesterday as they coughed up two runs in the bottom of the 8th to close out the AFL regular season with a 4-2 loss to Glendale.
Carter Kieboom and Daniel Johnson were in the starting lineup at 2B and CF respectively. Kieboom went hitless again, but drew a walk and helped turn a double play. Johnson was 0-for-4 to drop his fall average to .145.
Tres Barrera came off the bench to catch the last three innings. He struck out in his lone plate appearance.
Ben Braymer was the second Rafters reliever of the game and stranded a runner while getting the last two outs of the 6th and striking out a batter in the 7th. He faced five batters, gave up a single (leadoff in the 7th) and hit a batter (first man faced in the 6th). It was his fifth outing without a charged run out of nine appearances.
Today is an off day before tomorrow’s title game between Peoria (21-9), which won its division by nine games, and Salt River (16-14), which squeaked by Mesa (15-14-1).
After a miserable start to the league, it’s been a generally very positive performance from everyone except Daniel Johnson and Luis Reyes.
Kieboom is getting rave reviews from prospect gurus.
https://twitter.com/JasonAtTheGame/status/1062369368997150720
Then the guys at FanGraphs have boosted Kieboom to 10th best prospect overall at the end of this season.
It would be nice to hear a scouts take on Braymer, Mills and Guilbeau. None have been dominant, but for the hitter friendly AFL, they’ve all pitched admirably.
Thanks for sharing the link.
The significant thing Kieboom has done in the grand scheme of things is look ready for the majors at some point in 2019. The Nats most likely can take guys like LeMahieu and Dozier off their shopping list.
Thanks Will, that’s a must-see link.