Deichmann, fully healthy, teeing off in AFL
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PEORIA, Ariz. -- Few if any Arizona Fall Leaguers needed to make up for lost at-bats more than Greg Deichmann. Few if any are taking better advantage of the developmental circuit.
The 43rd overall pick (second round) in the 2017 Draft after hitting 19 homers to help Louisiana State reach the College World Series finals, Deichmann played in just 58 games in his first full pro season and just 80 in his second. The A's No. 17 prospect broke the hamate bone in his right hand in 2018 and hurt his right shoulder diving for a fly ball in 2019, when he batted just .219/.300/.375 with 11 homers in Double-A.
Healthy again in the Arizona Fall League, Deichmann leads the league with five homers and ranks second in slugging while batting .326/.412/.721. The Athletics outfielder's fifth blast of the fall snapped a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning Sunday night and spurred the Mesa Solar Sox to a 4-2 win over the Peoria Javelinas. The blast came off right-hander Reiss Knehr (Padres) and traveled 376 feet with an exit velocity of 105 mph.
"When my farm director told me I was going to go to the Fall League, I was super pumped," the 24-year-old Deichmann said. "Obviously, I know how prestigious of a league it is. And then on top of that, the opportunity to make up some more at-bats against some good competition."
More than just a slugger, Deichmann has an eye for drawing walks and the instincts to make the most out of his fringy speed on the bases. His solid arm strength plays well in right field, and he is getting more action in center field with the Solar Sox.
"I'm playing all three outfield spots, working on the versatility aspect," Deichmann said. "The main focus is me getting my at-bats, just getting back comfortable in the box, and a continuation of the end of my rehab. ... I'm enjoying it. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. I love Arizona."
Right-hander Penn Murfee (Mariners) turned in another strong start for the Javelinas, slinging 88-91 mph fastballs and low-80s sliders from his sidearm slot. He allowed just one hit in four innings, a 402-foot homer to third baseman Nolan Jones (Indians) that had an exit velocity of 105 mph. Murfee has a 1.29 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 14 innings.
Mesa (8-7) kept pace with the first-place Salt River Rafters in the East Division, remaining two games back. Peoria (8-7) failed to capitalize on a chance to tie for first place in the West and is still a game behind the Surprise Saguaros.