Tiedemann's sizzling Fall League rolls on
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GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It was only appropriate that Ricky Tiedemann was the opening act of a tripleheader in the Arizona Fall League’s debut at Goodyear Ballpark for the first time in its 21-year history.
MLB's No. 31 overall prospect was sharp in the Saguaros 5-2 win over the Solar Sox. He pitched three innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out five. Through three starts, Tiedemann has gone 13 innings and has an AFL-leading 18 punchouts.
“I felt like first-pitch strikes weren’t as good in the first innings,” Tiedemann said. “I got a little bit more comfortable and was able to dial it in with my offspeed pitches as well. I was able to get in early and attack the batter. It kind of helped getting through the innings faster than usual.”
After going five innings and tossing 70 and 77 pitches, respectively in his first two outings, Tiedemann's third was his shortest. The No. 1 Blue Jays prospect threw just 49 pitches, 32 for strikes. But, having pitched on Monday and all of the games in Goodyear being seven innings, the staff wanted to minimize Tiedemann’s workload, as much as he wanted to return for another inning.
The southpaw breezed through the first two frames but ran into trouble in the third when he gave up a leadoff single to Connor Pavolony (BAL), who ended up stealing a base and scoring on James Triantos' (CHC No. 9) double. Tiedemann walked Zach Dezenzo (HOU No. 5) in the next at-bat, putting runners on first and second with one out. He escaped the jam by striking out the last two batters. Knowing this would be a shorter outing allowed Tiedemann to let loose. His last 10 fastballs registered 96-97 mph.
“I gave up a couple of hits I shouldn’t have,” Tiedemann said. “You have to take your licks and roll with the punches in a way. Working out of that inning and showing that I can get out of there was a good thing for me and the team.”
Tiedemann seemed like he was on a feasible path to the Majors, but after making four starts in Double-A New Hampshire, he was shut down for two months with left bicep issues. The 21-year-old believes if he remained healthy in 2023, he could have reached the Majors.
He added that as tempting as it is to think of what could have happened, he is focused on the task at hand in the desert -- getting his innings up and showing that he can be consistent with his command.
“I’m taking [the time] in between outings a lot more seriously,” Tiedemann said. “I feel better going into each week. I think I handled that a lot better this week. I dialed it in and did the right things to feel better about this outing. It really worked out. I felt really good today.”
Liam Hicks continues to be one of the hottest hitters in the AFL. The Rangers catching prospect went 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Wes Clarke and Dasan Brown (TOR No. 29) each drove in a run for Surprise.