Wednesday's top AFL prospect performers
Here's a look at Wednesday’s top performers in the Arizona Fall League from each team's Top 30 Prospects list.
Rangers: Sam Huff, C/1B (MLB No. 91), Surprise Saguaros
After starting the Fall League 0-for-12, Huff broke his slump by collecting three hits, an RBI and a walk in Surprise’s 4-2 win over Salt River. He began his night with a groundout, but recorded his first base knock in the fourth on a one-out single before adding another in the fifth. With two on and two out in the seventh, the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect singled on the second pitch he saw to drive in his first run of the AFL and extend Surprise’s lead to three. He capped his night with a free pass in the ninth. Although he didn't record a base hit until Wednesday, Huff's drawn four walks in four games.
Phillies: Bryson Stott, SS (MLB No. 97) and Logan O’Hoppe, C (No. 11), Peoria Javelinas
Two more hits, a knock in all six AFL games he’s played in and an average of .421 make Stott one of the best hitters in the first week of action. The 24-year-old swiped his third base in the Javelinas’ victory and although he failed to walk for the first time, he has drawn a league-best nine free passes in 28 plate appearances
O’Hoppe was the backbone of Peoria’s offense, driving in two runs while doubling twice and singling for his second consecutive three-hit performance. After going hitless in his first 11 at-bats, the 21-year-old has gone 6-for-9 with three doubles and five RBIs in his last two games. The hot stretch pushed O’Hoppe’s slash line to .250/.364/.450 in 22 plate appearances. More »
Red Sox: Jeter Downs, SS/2B (No. 5), Scottsdale Scorpions
Downs opened up the scoring with a solo homer, his third long ball in as many games, and he added a single and a walk in a 2-for-4 performance. The 23-year-old tallied just 14 homers in 99 regular-season games for Triple-A Worcester, but has launched three in just four AFL games, moving him into a tie for the circuit lead with Glendale's Lars Nootbaar (Cardinals). Downs has gone 5-for-14 (.357) with six RBIs, five runs scored, six walks and a stolen base in the early going.
Cubs: Nelson Velazquez, OF (No. 29), Mesa Solar Sox
Velazquez paced the Solar Sox offense, reaching base three times, scoring four runs and driving in another. The 22-year-old doubled in a run, singled and added his first walk of the fall campaign to boost his batting line to .333/.368/.500 in 18 at-bats. Although he has yet to go deep after homering 20 times across two Minor League levels in the regular season, Velazquez has doubled three times among his six hits. More »
Royals: Zach Haake, RHP (No. 30), Surprise Saguaros
Haake rebounded from an uneven debut by tossing 3 2/3 scoreless frames in the Saguaros’ victory. The 25-year-old did not allow a hit until the fourth inning, striking out three and walking two in his 60-pitch effort. He wound up on the injured list two times, including a season-ending stint in early August, Haake posted a 3.35 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and struck out 58 in 53 2/3 innings across 15 appearances (14 starts) in 2021. More »