Picture credit score: © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities
Welcome to the Minor League Update. Day-after-day, we inform you the most recent about what occurred to the prospects you care about, and possibly a number of extra it’s best to. Right here’s who made waves this weekend:
Hitter of the Weekend
Matt Mervis, 1B, Cubs (AFL-Mesa): 3-7, 2 HR, BB, SB.
The house run chief for the Arizona Fall League not solely prolonged his lead on Friday, however confirmed up throughout Sunday’s Fall Stars Recreation, too. The 24-year-old lefty swinger went yard—as he’s made a behavior of doing all yr. Although he was an undrafted free agent out of Duke in 2020, the Mike Ford path stays viable for Mervis: He tore up Triple-A Iowa final yr, with 36 homers throughout three ranges and a newfound (relative) stinginess when it comes to strikeouts. He ought to see Wrigley subsequent season in some capability.
Pitcher of the Weekend:
J.T. Ginn, RHP, Athletics (AFL-Mesa): 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 Ok.
Ginn has seemed good all fall, and rightly earned the nod right here with a strong outing Friday. That stated, he additionally had one of many two outings within the AFL over three innings all weekend, so the pickings are slim. Nonetheless, the one that relieved him allowed 10 runs in two innings subsequently, so an additional tip of the cap to Ginn for holding the Peoria Javelinas in verify.
Friday November 4th, Saturday November fifth, and Sunday November sixth
Attributable to merely Arizona Fall League three video games every day at most, single-day performances from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are included as one beneath. This weekend featured no AFL video games Saturday and simply the Fall Stars Recreation Sunday, therefore the shorter listing.
Quinn Priester, RHP, Pirates (AFL-Shock): 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 Ok, 1 HRA.
It wasn’t Priester’s sharpest outing, however as his AFL journey nears its conclusion, it’s encouraging seeing him proceed to publish strong numbers in opposition to principally skilled opponents.
Jonah Dipoto, RHP, Royals (AFL-Shock): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 0 Ok.
Already 26, he’s a longshot as a reliever with who misses bats however misses the zone nearly as usually. The son of former massive leaguer and longtime Seattle Mariners head honcho Jerry Dipoto, Jonah is nonetheless nonetheless on the radar if he can retain the whiffs whereas inching nearer to the zone.
Jon Olsen, RHP, Twins (AFL-Glendale): 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 Ok.
Olsen continues making up for missed innings and misplaced time by inducing whiffs and befuddling hitters.
Spencer Packard, OF, Mariners (AFL-Peoria): 2-2, 2B, 2 BB.
Say that line 5 instances quick! Packard is an older hopeful slugger with restricted utility within the discipline, however he starred at Excessive-A all season nonetheless.
Tyler Hardman, 3B/1B, Yankees (AFL-Mesa): 2-5, 2 HR.
Hardman’s energy is what acquired him chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2021 draft as a senior signal, although his defensive house is an excessive uncertainty.
Brayan Rocchio, SS/2B, Guardians (LVBP-La Guaira): 1-3, 2B.
With the AFL off Saturday, Rocchio and different winter league gamers get a bit extra highlight. One of many prime prospects within the Venezuelan Winter League this yr continues to shine in opposition to veteran competitors.
Maikel Garcia, SS, Royals (LVBP-La Guaira): 1-3, HR, BB, Ok.
Rocchio’s teammate with the Tiburones has additionally been shining for La Guaria. The stellar defensive prospect has flashed with the bat this fall.
Heston Kjerstad, OF, Orioles (AFL-Scottsdale): 3-4, 2B, 3B.
Kjerstad displayed his energy all through the weekend, as the previous faculty slugger was runner-up within the AFL dwelling run derby Saturday, falling only one homer shy of Mariners’ 1B Robert Perez Jr.’s whole of 32.
Justin Martinez, RHP, Diamondbacks (AFL-Salt River): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 Ok.
Jackson Merrill, SS, Padres (AFL-Peoria): 2-3, 2B, Ok.
Je’Von Ward, OF, Brewers (AFL-Glendale): 2-4, HR.
Colt Keith, SS/3B, Tigers (AFL-Salt River): 1-3, 2B, 2 Ok.
Jordan Walker, 3B, Cardinals (AFL-Salt River): 1-5, 2B.
Juan Then, RHP, Mariners (AFL-Peoria): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 Ok.
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