AFL Update: Oct. 28, 2022
It’s probably a good thing Lee skipped this one. Had he sent me a pic of paint drying, I might have been puzzled… until I saw the box score for the Javelinas’ 3-1 win over the Scorpions.
All four runs scored without a base hit; three on sacrifice flies. The two teams combined for nine hits (one (1) for extra bases) and were hitless in nine RISP chances, with 12 runners left on base (six apiece).
Four Nationals saw game action:
- Yasel Antuna batted second, played LF, and went 0-for-4 to lower his Fall BA to .217
- Brady Lindsly was the #5 hitter and delivered the final sac fly of the night in the top of the 8th.
- Will Frizzell was the No. 7 batter as the DH and was 1-for-4 with a run scored.
- Lucas Knowles pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to lower his Fall ERA to 5.79.
Third-place Peoria (10-10) returns home this afternoon to host last-place Salt River (9-12).
Will Frizzell lives! But Baker’s absence continues. He’s almost certainly suffered an injury/illness that no one has reported.
Antuna’s hot start has fizzled out. Yesterday, Antuna’s OPS was 3rd best on the team. After yesterday’s game, it dropped almost .150 points and he now sits at 9th best of 20.
Knowles’ bad ERA is deceptive, as he’s only allowed 7 base runners in 9.1 IP for an excellent 0.75 WHIP which is 6th best among 127 pitchers in the AFL (league average is 1.66).
Lee: have you had a chance to see a game in Salt River? If so, what has been your impression of the automated ball-strike system? Seems to be working pretty well.
Interesting article about it here: https://www.mlb.com/news/automatic-balls-strikes-robot-umps-challenge-system-a-hit-in-afl
Yes I have Will.
They show a face on and side views plus the movement of the pitch framed in a strike zone box and it happens in very short order.
I’m for it. How about you and any of the others that care to comment?
Regarding Baker. I was told by the league rep that handles Peoria the he has a broken thumb and he had no idea why he hasn’t been replaced on the roster.
After seeing so many bad ball/strike calls in 2022 (and earlier), I’m all for it also.
Lee, coming through with the real info! Talented photographer AND journalist!
Fascinating to learn about a broken thumb with Baker. With both he and Hassell going down, it makes a bit more sense why Nats players have featured so little. But I’m still surprised that their injuries haven’t led to more playing time for Frizzell and Antuna. But my gosh, the amount of injuries among our top 30 prospects this season is staggering!
Regarding ABS, I’m a fan of whatever will result in more accurate balls and strikes. There are few things in the world I have less patience for than an ump using balls and strikes to stroke his ego and make a point, rather than simply just calling balls as accurately as possible. So if ABS (or actual robo-umps) cut that out of the game, then I’m a massive fan. The fact that ABS, unlike robo-umps, have mostly also appealed to baseball traditionalists is even better as it will build important consensus going forward (unlike some other recent rule changes, i.e. the runner on 2nd in extra innings).
Thank you. I’m with u on the total assessment.