Chisholm leads big day for D-backs trio in AFL
Jazz Chisholm, the D-backs' No. 3 prospect, led a trio of D-backs with impressive performances in the Salt River Rafters' 10-9 slugfest victory over the Scottsdale Scorpions.
The 20-year-old shortstop from the Bahamas finished the game 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. In the first inning after Chisholm singled, he was able to make it all the around the bases on three passed balls. The outing was only Chisholm's third game thus far in the Fall League season.
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2018 Arizona Fall League rosters
"It's kind of hard to stay on top of your game," Chisholm said about his lack of playing time, "but you know, you go to practice and get your reps in all the time. So, just keep on working in practice like it's game situations and you'll get your reps in."
In his three games, Chisholm is now batting .429.
Chisholm is coming off of his first full season of play after a torn meniscus held him to only 29 games in 2017.
This past season he batted .272 with 70 RBIs and 20 home runs in a year where he split time between Class A Kane County and Class A Advanced Visalia.
In the Fall League, and for the next year, Chisholm set some goals.
"My expectation is just less strikeouts and staying within myself at the plate," Chisholm said.
In the Minors last year, Chisholm struck out 149 times in 112 games.
"My organization already told me to just come here and work on a better approach to the plate," he said.
Chisholm appears to be making progress, as he has only stuck out once in 14 at-bats this fall. His solid, strikeout-free outing today was not the only quality performance by a D-backs prospect.
Pavin Smith and Daulton Varsho are Nos. 4 and 5 on the organization's top 30 and each had big days at the plate. Smith went 3-for-4 with two RBI's Wednesday and Varsho finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
"It's great. Just like they did in the season, they're coming out here and doing the same thing." Chisholm said. "I feel like it's amazing that we can all come here and do the same thing."
Smith is now batting .357 with seven RBIs so far in the Fall League and Varsho is batting .333 with four RBIs.