Chad Moriyama Dodgers, Sabermetrics, Scouting
The Dodgers sent eight players to the Arizona Fall League this season to play for the Mesa Solar Sox. Only Onelki Garcia has yet to appear in a game. I’m hoping he gets in soon because he only threw in two minor-league games this season. We all know about Yasiel Puig suffering the staph infection, which caused him to miss the league.
Position Players
Gorman Erickson – C
3-for-10 (.300), 1 run, 3 strikeouts
Erickson, who struggled last year in the AFL (.213/.279/.361), is sharing catching duties with two other prospects, hence the limited number of at-bats. He’s coming off a disappointing 2012 campaign, so a chance to re-establish himself in the league is needed.
Joc Pederson – OF
0-for-15, 1 run, 2 BB, 3 K
Pederson, one of the youngest players in the league, has struggled (obviously). Whether it’s fatigue or him just being overmatched, Pederson just hasn’t been able to get on track thus far. He’ll face similar talent in the Southern League in 2013, so it’d be nice to see him get it going.
Rafael Ynoa – 2B
7-for-17 (.412), HR, 2B, 2 BB, 2 SB
Ynoa has been an offensive star among the Dodger talent in Arizona, leading the Solar Sox in batting through the first seven games. He also clubbed a home run, something he didn’t do in 421 Southern League at-bats in 2012.
Pitchers
Eric Eadington – LHP
3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Eadington gave up two runs in his first outing — both on solo home runs — but has been lights out since. This is a good test for the 24-year-old, who should begin 2013 with the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Red Patterson – RHP
3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Patterson has been nearly perfect in his first few AFL outings. He could see some time in Albuquerque next year with a potential call-up to the majors waiting in the wings.
Chris Reed – LHP
2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Reed, who picked up a victory in his second AFL outing, was absolutely rocked in his third appearance to the tune of five hits and five runs without recording an out. What’s disturbing is it took just 17 pitches (10 strikes) to accumulate the damage. Reed replaced Paco Rodriguez on the roster.
Andres Santiago – RHP
3 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Santiago didn’t receive any help from his defense in his lone AFL start, hence the three unearned runs. He recovered nicely to strike out three batters in his next two innings though. This is a good test for the 22-year-old, who made a name for himself this season.
On Patterson, although this also pertains to pitching prospects in general. With Albuquerque being the launching pad that it is, what’s your thought on stashing highly touted prospects at AA and then jumping up to the major league team instead of taking a swing through AAA?
I’m all for it. Clayton Kershaw never pitched in the PCL. Chad Billingsley only threw 70 2/3 innings (and was good) in Triple-A.
I remember when Edwin Jackson was originally jumped from Double-A for his debut.
As for Patterson, he’s the classic prospect who can go to Triple-A and not be affected negatively. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t start the season with Albuquerque.
Does seem to matter less for relievers.
If the talent is there, sure. If not, I don’t see how it would be detrimental for a hitting prospect.
I think for pitching prospects though, there’s an obvious risk with sending them to that environment.
I thought you said Pederson.
lol
:o
Either way, same thing applies.
LOL, I was confused myself cuz I thought I had limited my question to pitching prospects :D
But now that you mentioned hitting prospects, couldn’t the extreme home run friendly environment lead players to want to go for the home run ball (cuz the ladies dig the long ball) and establishing potentially bad habits? Or am I reading too much into things.
Sure, but I haven’t noticed teams being shy about that, so I assume they’ve found it to be non-detrimental.