Tuesday's top 10 Arizona Fall League performers
Here are the 10 best performers from Tuesday, Oct. 8 in the Arizona Fall League.
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J.J. Matijevic, 1B, Astros No. 17
Matijevic collected three hits and recorded his first multi-RBI game in the Fall League, driving in all three runs in Peoria’s 3-2 win over Scottsdale. Each of the Astros prospect’s three hits had a triple-digit exit velocity: Matijevic connected for his second AFL homer, a 106.9-mph solo shot that traveled 400-plus feet according to Statcast, in his first at-bat; he hit a 106.3-mph single in the fourth and delivered a go-ahead, two-run single in the seventh that registered at 102.3 mph. He finished 3-for-4 to improve his average to .323 and leads the league with 20 hits in 15 games.
Roberto Ramos, 1B, Rockies No. 28
Ramos has gotten off to a slow start in Arizona, but he may be on the verge of turning things around. The 24-year-old, who has hit 62 homers over the past two Minor League seasons, put his power on display with a grand slam in the second inning. The blast, Ramos’ second of the AFL, had an exit velocity of 114.7 mph, according to TrackMan. Ramos later added a single, giving him his first multihit effort of the season.
Greyson Jenista, OF, Braves No. 11
Jenista fueled the Scorpions' offense in a 3-2 loss to Peoria with a 3-for-4 performance that included a 107.8-mph double, according to Statcast -- the hardest-hit ball in the game -- and an RBI single. He also scored one of the team's two runs.
Tristan Beck, RHP, Giants No. 18
Beck pitched well in a no-decision for Scottsdale, tossing five innings of one-run ball against Peoria in his longest Fall League start. The 23-year-old right-hander prospect gave up four hits including a solo homer, struck out three batters and recorded nine groundouts while throwing 42 of 57 pitches for strikes. Beck lowered his ERA to 3.29 through 13 2/3 frames (four starts) for the Scorpions and has allowed just one run over his past nine frames.
Royce Lewis, SS/3B/OF, Twins No. 1
Lewis is the No. 9 prospect in all of baseball and has very much looked the part in the Arizona Fall League. The Twins’ top prospect extended his hitting streak to nine games, and he’s batting .375 after his 2-for-4, two-RBI night at the plate. The shortstop, who is playing multiple positions this fall, picked up an outfield assist from center field as he threw out a runner trying to go from first to third on a base hit. He also stole third base and scored twice.
Luis Garcia, INF, Nationals No. 2
Garcia might be just 19 years old but he led Surprise’s offense in Tuesday’s win. The young shortstop went 3-for-5 with three singles and drove in three runs for the Saguaros. More >>
Vidal Brujan, SS/2B and Josh Lowe, OF, Rays Nos. 3 and 11
Brujan has impressed throughout the Arizona Fall League and continued to do so Tuesday. The 21-year-old scored three runs, including the game-winner in the 10th, and finished 2-for-4 with a walk. He was also hit by a pitch. Josh Lowe is hitting .350 after putting together his third straight multihit effort. The 2016 first-round pick finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
Tanner Houck, RHP, Red Sox No. 5
Houck allowed one run on four hits over five innings against Scottsdale in his longest AFL start for the Javelinas. The Red Sox's No. 5 prospect struck out four but struggled with his control, as he issued three walks and hit one batter while throwing 43 of 82 pitches for strikes. Houck, Boston’s first-round pick from the 2017 Draft, showed impressive stuff in the outing, operating at 92-95 mph with a heavy fastball that helped him to induce nine ground-ball outs. He threw his hard, upper-80s/low-90s slider 36 times in the outing, generating seven whiffs, and also recorded three swinging strikes with his mid-80s changeup. Overall, the 23-year-old right-hander has compiled a 3.14 ERA in the Fall League, striking out 15 in 14 1/3 innings.
Nolan Jones, 3B, Indians No. 1
Jones, the No. 37 prospect on the MLB Top 100, hit his fourth home run of the fall in a 1-for-4 day on Tuesday, driving in and scoring the only run for Mesa.