afl - Blog

Is Zach Britton's sinker the best single pitch in the majors?

October 17, 2016, 8:24pm

Orioles

Is Zach Britton's sinker the best single pitch in the majors?

Is Zach Britton's sinker the single best pitch thrown by any pitcher in the major leagues? You can make a strong case for that. After all, he was a dominant closer throwing mostly that one pitch and didn't blow a save all year. Britton led the American League and tied for second in the majors in saves. His 0.54 ERA with four earned runs allowed all year led major league relievers and was the lowest in major league history among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. Britton did that...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski zach britton afl featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Voth, Stevenson highlight Nats prospects invited to Arizona Fall League

August 31, 2016, 1:01pm

Nationals

Voth, Stevenson highlight Nats prospects invited to Arizona Fall League

The Arizona Fall League announced rosters for the offseason league where top prospects play games in October and November. The Nationals have six prospects who have been invited to play for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Right-handed pitchers Austin Voth and Ryan Brinley will join left-hander Nick Lee on the team. The Nationals appear to have one more pitching slot available to be named at a later date. The spot could be offered to right-hander Erick Fedde. Infielders Osvaldo Abreu and Drew Ward...

Comments

Tags:

andrew stevenson austin voth byron kerr afl drew ward erick fedde frontstory_nationals2 glendale desert dogs nick lee osvaldo abreu ryan brinley sam narron t.d. swinford nationals nationals farm report

A look at Orioles players in the Arizona Fall League

November 16, 2015, 3:03pm

Orioles

For six players from the Orioles minor leagues, their time in the Arizona Fall League is almost over. They've played for the Peoria Javelinas, who are 12-12 with three games left and cannot finish in first place. But the six have gained valuable high-level experience. Orioles director of player development Brian Graham was recently in Arizona and I asked him about the O's prospects out there. Adrian Marin is a 21-year-old infielder who was the Single-A Frederick Keys' shortstop the past two...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski adrian marin afl chance sisco donnie hart jason garcia mike yastrzemski tanner scott

Notes on Kieboom, Simms, Bacus, Goodwin, Severino and Bautista

November 16, 2015, 4:39am

Nationals

Notes on Kieboom, Simms, Bacus, Goodwin, Severino and Bautista

Catcher Spencer Kieboom had two homers this season for high Single-A Potomac. He now has two homers in Arizona Fall League play after cranking a three-run shot in the first inning Friday night. Salt River dropped Surprise 5-3. He also crushed three-run homer Oct. 27 in a 9-4 win over Scottsdale. Kieboom is hitting .257 and has a .395 on-base percentage in his last 10 games with two homers, seven RBIs and seven free passes. Right-hander Dakota Bacus has a 1.29 ERA in seven appearances with one...

0 Comments

Tags:

byron kerr john simms nationals farm report rafael bautista spencer kieboom afl frontstory_nationals2

John Simms mixing pitches well, keeping ball down to find Arizona success

November 13, 2015, 4:19am

Nationals

John Simms mixing pitches well, keeping ball down to find Arizona success

Right-hander John Simms has impressed in his first month in the Arizona Fall League. Simms came into his first game after the starter and a reliever had completed four innings. Salt River trailed 4-3 when he arrived, but the game was tied 5-5 when he departed. He earned the win after pitching three innings and allowing just one run in a 9-7 Rafters comeback victory. After that initial appearance, Simms (3-0) has been tremendously consistent, starting four straight games, tossing 18 innings and...

Comments

Tags:

arizona fall league byron kerr john simms nationals paul menhart abel de los santos afl frontstory_nationals2

Dylan Bundy makes second start in AFL

November 06, 2015, 10:05am

Orioles

Dylan Bundy, the Orioles' top prospect, allowed one run and two hits in his one inning today for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. He threw 19 pitches, including 14 for strikes. Bundy's fastball was 92-94 mph, according to the radar gun used on MLB Network. He also mixed in his slider, changeup and curveball. Surprise Saguaros leadoff hitter Charlie Tilson reached on a single down the left field line, stole second, moved to third on Yadiel Rivera's ground ball to short and...

Comments

Tags:

orioles adam jones afl dylan bundy players choice awards frontstory_orioles3

In AFL, Dylan Bundy and Tanner Scott show their stuff and future promise

November 02, 2015, 7:29pm

Orioles

In AFL, Dylan Bundy and Tanner Scott show their stuff and future promise

Right-hander Dylan Bundy's seven-pitch outing in the Arizona Fall League yesterday certainly attracted attention. Even though he got three outs so fast that if you blinked, you may have missed it, some fans were no doubt excited that Bundy was back on a mound. It was his first outing in a game since he pitched four scoreless innings for Double-A Bowie on May 21 at Trenton. At that point, Bundy's comeback from Tommy John surgery on June 27, 2013 was just about complete. His command was coming...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski afl dylan bundy tanner scott frontstory_orioles3

De Los Santos to AFL Fall Stars Game; McLouth and Janssen not returning

November 02, 2015, 7:52pm

Nationals

De Los Santos to AFL Fall Stars Game; McLouth and Janssen not returning

The Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game is Saturday at Salt River Fields and high Single-A Potomac manager Tripp Keister will manage the East Division All-Stars. Keister has guided the Salt River Rafters (10-6) to a first-place showing to begin the fall campaign. He will be joined by right-hander Abel De Los Santos, who will represent the Nationals on the East squad. Anthony Rendon, Brian Goodwin, Bryce Harper, Derek Norris, Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen have represented the Nationals in...

Comments

Tags:

abel de los santos byron kerr casey janssen nate mclouth nationals afl frontstory_nationals2

Salt River tied for first place as AFL week begins

November 02, 2015, 5:36am

Nationals

Salt River tied for first place as AFL week begins

Catcher Spencer Kieboom has done nice job so far in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters. He has seven hits, one homer and four RBIs in eight games. He has four walks and six strikeouts and his on-base percentage is .379. Kieboom has had seven hits in his last six games. He hit .248 in 71 games for high Single-A Potomac. This is a great sign for Kieboom, who had to battle through a concussion this season while with Potomac. He is also getting a chance to compare notes with catcher...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr chris bostick drew ward john simms nationals farm report spencer kieboom afl frontstory_nationals2

AFL update: Simms and Kieboom latest to shine for Salt River

October 25, 2015, 4:28am

Nationals

AFL update: Simms and Kieboom latest to shine for Salt River

Right-hander John Simms had a very good start on Friday as Salt River defeated Mesa 5-1 in Arizona Fall League play. Simms went four innings, allowing only three hits and one run. He struck out four and walked one, surrendering just a solo homer to catcher Stephen McGee. Simms is now 2-0 and has a 2.57 ERA in two games and seven innings for Salt River. The 23-year-old out of Rice was an 11th-round selection by the Nationals in 2013. Salt River won its second straight over Mesa 5-4 on...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr dakota bacus john simms nationals spencer kieboom afl chris bostick frontstory_nationals2

Orioles announce Dylan Bundy's addition to AFL roster

October 22, 2015, 8:18am

Orioles

The Orioles confirmed today that right-hander Dylan Bundy will pitch in the Arizona Fall League. He's going to join Peoria's roster "soon," according to a team official. Bundy is taking pitcher Jon Keller's spot on Peoria's roster. Keller has a sore oblique muscle. Bundy is throwing all of his pitches in bullpen sessions down in Sarasota and has been deemed ready to face hitters. The Orioles also discussed whether he should pitch winter ball. Dr. James Andrews cleared Bundy last month to...

Comments

Tags:

orioles afl arizona fall league dylan bundy frontstory_orioles3

Updating Orioles in the AFL

October 15, 2015, 3:47pm

Orioles

Jason Garcia struck out five batters over two scoreless innings today while starting for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League. Garcia allowed one hit and walked a batter in the Javelinas' 9-7 loss to Salt River. He threw 23 of his 39 pitches for strikes. Though he made the start today, Garcia will enter spring training next year as a reliever. The Orioles want him to continue developing in that role. Garcia posted a 2.18 ERA in 13 appearances in the second half, with five earned runs allowed in...

Comments

Tags:

orioles adrian marin afl buck showalter chance sisco jason garcia mike yastrzemski frontstory_orioles2

Salt River Rafters open season tonight in Arizona Fall League

October 13, 2015, 7:26am

Nationals

Salt River Rafters open season tonight in Arizona Fall League

The Salt River Rafters open Arizona Fall League play tonight against Scottsdale at 9:35 p.m. Eastern time at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. High Single-A Potomac's Tripp Keister is the manager of the team. Keister said that Oscar Hernandez, a Diamondbacks prospect, will do the bulk of the catching, and that Nationals farmhand Spencer Kieboom will do some catching and get to DH to build at-bats. Kieboom is coming off a concussion this recently completed season, so Keister said he will get...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr chris bostick drew ward nationals tripp keister afl nationals farm report frontstory_nationals1

Nationals would be wise to continue relationship with Ripken, just not as manager

October 11, 2015, 5:47pm

Nationals

Major League Baseball came down swiftly on Dodgers infielder Chase Utley following his slide into second base Saturday night that broke Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada's leg in the National League Division Series between New York and Los Angeles. Utley was suspended for Games 3 and 4 of the series. Utley will appeal the suspension, and because the series shifts to New York, where MLB is headquartered, expect a speedy resolution to the appeal. "After thoroughly reviewing the play from all...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr cal ripken jr. chase utley matt williams nationals afl dave martinez featured_sidebar frontstory_nationals3

Daniel Clark: Recapping O's prospects' performances in Arizona Fall League

November 14, 2014, 7:32am

Orioles

Daniel Clark: Recapping O's prospects' performances in Arizona Fall League

The summer of baseball has finished, and while most of the discussion has shifted to free agents, trades and roster moves, many of baseball's best young prospects have just completed play in the Arizona Fall League. Seven of those prospects - four pitchers and three position p layers - were wearing Orioles uniforms. Those seven minor leaguers were playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs, who won 14 games, lost 15 and tied two, finishing in last place in the AFL West Division. Here's how each...

Comments

Tags:

afl ashur tolliver daniel clark garabez rosa guest blogger guestblogger jason esposito michael ohlman mychal givens orioles parker bridwell zach davies

Senators Hot Stove Dinner date set; Mesa wins nailbiter in Arizona

November 13, 2014, 8:55am

Nationals

Senators Hot Stove Dinner date set; Mesa wins nailbiter in Arizona

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators have announced their 5th annual Hot Stove Dinner will be January 24, 2015, at the Best Western Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg. Headlining the event will be former Senators Josh Johnson, Steven Souza Jr. and Michael A. Taylor, as well as a special appearance by Doug Harris, the assistant general manager and vice president of player development for the Nationals. Johnson played with the Senators from 2010-2013. In 2012 and 2013, he split time...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr doug harris harrisburg senators josh johnson michael a. taylor nationals farm report steven souza afl frontstory_nationals3

A look at Zach Davies' strong performance in the Arizona Fall League

November 09, 2014, 5:38pm

Orioles

A look at Zach Davies' strong performance in the Arizona Fall League

He had a very solid 2014 season pitching for Double-A Bowie at just 21, and right-hander Zach Davies has carried that over to the Arizona Fall League. After going 10-7 with a 3.35 ERA for the Baysox, Davies is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in six starts for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the AFL. In his last four starts, he has given up just one run over 17 innings. Davies has made steady progress since the Orioles selected him in Round 26 of the 2011 draft and he'll likely be as close to the majors as...

Comments

Tags:

orioles orioles farm report steve melewski afl frontstory_orioles2

Pace of play reaction from Arizona Fall League

October 20, 2014, 8:31am

Nationals

Pace of play reaction from Arizona Fall League

Major League Baseball is looking into the length of games and studying to see if there is a way to speed up the contests without affecting the quality of play. This fall, MLB implemented pace of play rules in select Arizona Fall League games. There is a 20-second pitch clock and a time limit between innings of 125 seconds. There also are no-pitch intentional walks and only three meetings allowed at the mound. Mesa Solar Sox coach Patrick Anderson, who is the manager for the low Single-A...

Comments

Tags:

byron kerr hagerstown suns nationals farm report patrick anderson afl frontstory_nationals3

A look at O's prospects who begin play today in Arizona Fall League

October 06, 2014, 5:17pm

Orioles

A look at O's prospects who begin play today in Arizona Fall League

Seven Orioles prospects take the field later today as play begins in the Arizona Fall League. The Orioles players are on the Glendale Desert Dogs, who open against Mesa. Each major league team sends four pitchers and three position players to the AFL. The O's pitchers are Zach Davies, Parker Bridwell, Mychal Givens and Ashur Tolliver. Also on the Glendale roster are catcher Michael Ohlman, infielder-outfielder Garabez Rosa and third baseman Jason Esposito. In addition to the seven players,...

Comments

Tags:

orioles orioles farm report steve melewski ashur tolliver brian graham garabez rosa jason esposito michael ohlman mychal givens parker bridwell zach davies afl frontstory_orioles3

Kimball felt "back to normal" with repaired shoulder in AFL

December 12, 2012, 5:44pm

Nationals

Kimball felt "back to normal" with repaired shoulder in AFL

Although Cole Kimball is always a fierce competitor when he takes the mound, the Nationals told the right-handed reliever that his innings in the Arizona Fall League were more important than the numbers. But if you know Kimball, and if you remember how he pitched for the Nationals in his short 2011 stint, he is never satisfied with just pitching. He wants to go out and win every time. Kimball pitched in 15 innings over 11 games for the AFL's Salt River Rafters, compiling a 4.80 ERA. He...