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10/30/2006 10:02 AM ET
Arizona Fall League Notebook
Covering games from Oct. 22-28
By Lisa Winston / MLB.com
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 Toronto prospect Chip Cannon leads the Arizona Fall League with seven homers, is second with 16 RBIs and has a .385 average in 14 games. (Melissa Wintemute/MLB.com)
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GRAND CANYON RAFTERS
(Pirates, Royals, Orioles, Rangers, Rockies)
Record: 9-6, first place in West Division
Team Average: .263 (sixth)
Team ERA: 4.09 (first)
GOOD NEWS FOR LUKE: Kansas City top prospect Luke Hochevar was removed from the Grand Canyon roster the day before he was slated to be the starting pitcher for the East Division in the Rising Stars Showcase. Hochevar, the first overall pick in the June 2006 draft, was scratched due to shoulder tightness, but an MRI confirmed that it was just fatigue and not structural damage. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training. In three outings for the Rafters, he's allowed eight earned runs on 13 hits in 8 1/3 innings, striking out eight. The league has not named a replacement for Hochevar on the Grand Canyon roster.
CATCHING ON ELSEWHERE: The Rafters also lost catcher Ryan Hubele (Orioles) to the Phoenix Desert Dogs, when he was shifted to that team after the Dogs lost catcher Mike Rabelo (Tigers). Hubele had been on the club's taxi squad, but with three catchers already on the roster (Adam Donachie of the Royals, Kevin Richardson of the Rangers and top prospect Neil Walker of the Pirates), it was a win-win situation for Phoenix and for Hubele, who will see at least a little more action down the stretch.
TUNE IN THURSDAY: The Rafters and Scottsdale Scorpions battled to a 6-6 tie after 11 innings on Oct. 26 before the game was suspended. The teams will pick up where they left off on Nov. 2, the next time they're scheduled to face each other. Two Rangers prospects, Richardson and third baseman Travis Metcalf, had two hits and two RBIs in the game.
PITCHING IN: In a league that has been marked by hot hitting and not-so-hot pitching in the first few weeks, it was an especially impressive feat when Baltimore's Cory Morris combined with four relievers for a 5-0, three-hit shutout of the Peoria Saguaros Oct. 25. It was the Rafters' second combined shutout of the season and helped contribute to their league-best 4.09 ERA.
WHO'S HOT: Jeff Fiorentino (Orioles) was sixth in the league in batting at .347 with a league-best six doubles. Fellow Baltimore prospect Nolan Reimold was also in the top 10 with a .333 average and a .481 on-base average, good for fourth overall. Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies) was tied with Reimold at .333. Coincidentally, both Reimold and Tulowitzki were the only two hitters not to see action in the Rising Stars Showcase. Royals outfielder Mitch Maier was batting .315 with five steals. Jesse Chavez (Pirates) and A.J. Murray (Rangers), the latter of whom missed the entire season due to injury, shared the league lead with three wins. Chavez had yet to allow a run in 7 2/3 innings, picking up a pair of saves to go with those wins. Murray, a left-hander, had a 1.46 ERA in 12 1/3 innings. Orioles right-hander Nick McCurdy had a 1.86 ERA in eight outings, while Royals lefty Neal Musser had posted a 1.69 ERA in 10 2/3 innings.
MESA SOLAR SOX
(Cubs, Astros, Dodgers, Twins, Mets)
Record: 8-8, third place in East Division, two games out
Team Average: .269 (fifth).
Team ERA: 4.10 (second).
NOW STARRING: Several Mesa players had big games in the East Division's 3-1 victory in the inaugural Rising Stars Showcase Oct. 27 at Surprise. Eighteen-year-old outfielder Fernando Martinez of the Mets, the youngest player in the 15-year history of the league, had a pivotal RBI single with two outs in the seventh inning, when he drove in the final run of the game. Mets right-hander Mike Pelfrey, the starting pitcher for the East, made things interesting in the first frame. After loading the bases with no outs, he struck out the next three hitters, showing not only his great stuff but his great composure as well. And Houston center field prospect Hunter Pence seemed to be involved in all sorts of strange plays, scoring the first run of the game on a combination of a botched pickoff, stolen base, wild pitch and a passed ball. Pence finished 2-for-3 on the night.
NICE TO MEET YOU: The Solar Sox had several roster changes over the past week, losing two Mets pitchers, Philip Humber and Steve Schmoll, and outfielder Michael Rodriguez (Astros). Humber, who along with Pelfrey is considered one of the Mets top prospects, was shut down as a precautionary measure due to mild shoulder tendinitis. He had made one AFL appearance, allowing a run in two innings on Oct. 14. The Mets duo was replaced by fellow New York farmhands Blake McGinley (2.95 ERA in 22 games at Triple-A Norfolk) and Brandon Nall (2.91 ERA in 38 games at Class A Hagerstown). Minnesota Twins outfielder Doug Deeds (.282, 14 HR, 72 RBIs at Double-A New Britain) took Rodriguez's place on the Mesa roster.
TWO-PENCE: Pence had a big game Oct. 24, blasting a pair of two-run homers as part of his 4-for-5 day as Mesa outslugged the Peoria Saguaros, 12-7. It was Pence's third homer of the AFL season. Teammate Eric Patterson (Cubs) was 3-for-6 with four runs scored on the day. If the name is familiar, it's because "E-Pat" is the younger brother of Baltimore Orioles outfielder Corey Patterson.
WHO'S HOT: Matt Tolbert of the Twins was third in the league with a .375 average while Pence was ninth at .339. Pence's 21 hits were good for second in the league while his six steals tied him with two other players, including his teammate Eric Patterson, for the league lead. Patterson, who was hitting .327, was fourth in the league with 13 runs. First baseman Michel Abreu (Mets) had three homers, which tied him for fourth in the league. Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis was hitting .500 in eight games, going 11-for-22 with eight RBIs. Reliever Jonathan Meloan of the Dodgers was tied for the league lead with 13 strikeouts and had an 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 innings of work.
PEORIA JAVELINAS
(Braves, Red Sox, Indians, Marlins, Mariners)
Record: 5-11, third place in West Division, 4 1/2 games out.
Team Average: .328 (first)
Team ERA: 8.30 (sixth)
MISSING STARS: Two Javelinas players were last-minute scratches from the Rising Stars Showcase game on Oct. 27. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Braves) was replaced at the last minute because of nagging hamstring problems. However, Saltalamacchia was tearing it up when he was playing. He blasted a pair of homers in his team's 23-9 loss to Phoenix Oct. 25 and was hitting .565 with three homers and 12 RBIs in six games. Also absent was left fielder Trevor Crowe (Indians), who took the off day to be with his ailing grandfather in his home state of Oregon. Crowe was fifth in the league with a .348 average.
SNAP AND SIZZLE: The Javelinas snapped an eight-game losing streak Oct. 26, beating Mesa 7-3, thanks to a key bases-loaded triple by Josh Burrus (Braves) and a 3-for-4 day from Indians third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. Kouzmanoff scored a pair of runs as well as driving in the J's first run of the day with an RBI double in the first inning.
WHO'S HOT: It's not surprising that the Javelinas, who boast a .328 team average, had three players in the league's top 10 in batting. Along with Crowe, Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar was fourth at .360, while Brett Carroll of the Marlins was seventh at .341 and fifth with a .614 slugging percentage (Saltalamacchia did not have enough at-bats to qualify for the league lead). Seattle outfield prospect Michael Wilson, who already had a pair of grand slams on the season, was tied for third in the league with 14 RBIs. Also hitting over .300 were outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury of the Red Sox at .306, infielder Michael Garciaparra of the Mariners at .324, and Chad Spann (Red Sox) at .326. There were also four players who did not have enough at-bats to qualify for the leader board: Indians catcher Javi Herrera (.429 in 14 at-bats), Braves infielder J.C. Holt (.480 in 25 at-bats), Indians infielder Joe Inglett (.481 in 27 at-bats) and Indians third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff (.429 in 35 at-bats). Kyle Jackson of the Red Sox had three wins, tying him for the league lead. Only Indians southpaw Reid Santos had been enjoying success on the mound, tossing 6 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run.
PEORIA SAGUAROS
(Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, Padres, Nationals)
Record: 7-9, second place in West Division, 2 1/2 games out
Team Average: .292 (second)
Team ERA: 5.74 (fourth)
IN CASE YOU CAN'T PRONOUNCE 'SAGUAROS:' The players refer to themselves as "the Golden Cacti," in honor of the gold-colored plant that is the team's logo.
HERE COME THE SAGUAROS: It's not often you see the designation "marital leave" on a roster, but that's how the Peoria club explained the absence of two-time defending Nationals Minor League Player of the Year Kory Casto, as he took time off to get married and go on his honeymoon. Casto would be coming back but he was not the only Peoria player to make wedding plans for the fall season. Phillies pitcher Zach Segovia, who had an 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings after combining to go 16-6 between Class A Clearwater and Double-A Reading this season, has left the club for his wedding in Mexico. He was replaced on the roster by Phillies farmhand Chris Key, a seven-year veteran who officially became the oldest player in the league when he turned 29 on Monday.
PUT US IN AS COACHES: The Peoria coaching staff, consisting of manager Randy Ready (Padres), hitting coach James Rowsom (Yankees) and pitching coaches Rick Tomlin (Nationals) and Derek Lilliquist (Cards) were at the helm of the West Division team in the Rising Stars Showcase. They earned the right by being in first place as of Oct. 21, ironically one of just two days this season they have been ahead of the Grand Canyon Rafters, who are currently back atop the standings.
ALL-STAR BATTERY: The Saguaros ended up boasting the starting battery for the West Division team in the Rising Stars Showcase, although that hadn't been the plan until the day of the game. Phillies prospect Gio Gonzalez, who had been named to the club from the get-go, was a last-minute replacement for scratched starter Luke Hochevar (Royals) of Grand Canyon. Catcher Jason Jaramillo, also of the Phillies system, was named to the team just hours before the game to replace ailing Braves prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and ended up starting the game ahead of original Showcase star Neil Walker of Pittsburgh/Grand Canyon. It was a good day on the mound for both Phillies representatives as J.A. Happ struck out the side in his lone inning of work.
JUST PERFECT: Leadoff hitter Brett Gardner of the Yankees went 4-for-4 in the team's 5-3 victory over Scottsdale Oct. 23, drawing a walk in his fifth plate appearance and scoring a pair of runs in the win.
WHO'S HOT: Josh Whitesell of the Nationals was eighth in the league in batting at .339. Cardinals shortstop prospect Brendan Ryan was leading the league with 22 hits and batting .324. Gardner was hitting .316 with four steals and has yet to be caught stealing. Switch-hitting catcher Jaramillo was batting .306 in 10 games. Cards outfielder Amaury Marti was batting .326 and was tied for fourth in the league with three homers, impressing those watching with his raw power. Padres catcher Colt Morton was hitting .360 in 25 at-bats. Yankees reliever T.J. Beam had a 1.13 ERA in six outings out of the pen, an ERA matched by Padres reliever Leonel Rosales in eight innings of work.
PHOENIX DESERT DOGS
(Reds, Tigers, Athletics, Devil Rays, Blue Jays)
Record: 10-6, first place in the East Division
Team Average: .281 (third)
Team ERA: 4.75 (third)
RISING STARS IN THE DUGOUT AS WELL: The Phoenix coaching staff, which consists of manager Tony DeFrancesco (Giants), coaches Jamie Dismuke (Reds) and Steve Livesey (Devil Rays) and pitching coach Tom Signore (Blue Jays) had their team atop the East Division as of Oct. 21 and therefore earned the right to lead the East Division in the Rising Stars Showcase. DeFrancesco, who took the Triple-A Sacramento RiverCats to back-to-back PCL championships in 2003-2004 and was one game shy of a three-peat in 2005, managed his team to this win as well. With the Athletics' managerial spot open, it seems to defy explanation why the Athletics have not at least brought "Tony D" in for an interview.
"USC" DOESN'T MEAN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HERE: If there is a slight "Gamecock" vibe in the Phoenix dugout, it's not surprising. Four members of the Desert Dogs roster came out of the University of South Carolina: relievers Marcus McBeth (Oakland) and Jon Coutlangus (Cincinnati), second baseman Kevin Melillo (Oakland) and catcher Landon Powell (Oakland). Adding to the coincidence -- or even irony -- is the connection between McBeth and Coutlangus. McBeth was the Gamecocks' starting center fielder until he was drafted by the Athletics in the fourth round of 2001. At that point, Coutlangus transferred to South Carolina and took McBeth's spot in center before being drafted by San Francisco in the 19th round of 2003 (he was a savvy waiver claim by the Reds this past spring). Both underwent conversions from center field to the mound in 2005 and are now top relief prospects in their organizations.
STRAIT UP: Outfielder Cody Strait of the Cincinnati Reds was the AFL Player of the Week, hitting .444 (8-for-18) with six runs scored, seven RBIs and four steals. The speedy Strait, who swiped 50 bases during the regular season, posted a .722 slugging percentage in that span. He's tied for the league lead with six steals.
ELIJAH'S COMING: The Desert Dogs were definitely rolling out the welcome mat. Tampa Bay prospect Elijah Dukes joined the team to replace injured first baseman Wes Bankston (sprained ankle). Splitting his time between first base (brand new to him), the outfield (where he has always played for the Devil Rays) and DH, Dukes batted .444 in his first four games with a homer and five RBIs. That home run came at the perfect time, giving Phoenix an 11-inning, 7-6 victory over the Saguaros Oct. 26.
CANNON SHOTS: Toronto first base prospect Chip Cannon was getting on a lot of radar screens this fall, establishing himself as one of the hottest hitters in the league. He was second in the league in batting at .385 in 14 games, with a league-leading seven home runs and second-best 16 RBIs. He also ranked among the league leaders in hits (20), on-base average (.484) and slugging, an impressive .846 which led second-place Ryan Braun of Scottsdale by 101 points. He'd homered in three consecutive games heading into the Rising Stars off day and already had a pair of two-homer games.
DOWN A (KLOSTER)MAN: Rising Stars shortstop selection Ryan Klosterman of the Blue Jays was a late scratch when he broke his finger. The league had not named a replacement for him on the Desert Dogs roster. They did, however, receive catcher Ryan Hubele of the Baltimore Orioles to replace departed Mike Rabelo (Tigers). Hubele had been the fourth catcher on the Grand Canyon squad and a taxi squad player. He joins a pair of top prospects behind the plate in Toronto's Curtis Thigpen and Oakland's Powell.
BLOW OUT: Thigpen keyed a 24-hit outburst with a homer and six RBIs to help lead the Desert Dogs to a 23-9 trouncing of the Peoria Javelinas Oct. 25. Cannon added four hits in the rout. Thigpen, a Rising Stars selection, was hitting .310 in 11 games for the Dogs and had driven in 11 runs.
WHO'S HOT: Ben Zobrist of Tampa Bay had scored 14 runs to rank third in the league, one behind second-place Cannon. He was hitting .311 with 10 RBIs. Jordan DeJong (Blue Jays) had three wins, tying him for the league lead. Closer Marcus McBeth, who earned the save in the Rising Stars Showcase, had two saves on the season. Blue Jays prospects Dustin McGowan and Kyle Yates (1.86) were both on top of the league with 13 strikeouts. Coutlangus' 1.69 ERA earned him a spot on the Rising Stars roster, as did Oakland's Mike Mitchell's identical ERA.
SCOTTSDALE SCORPIONS
(Diamondbacks, White Sox, Angels, Giants, Brewers)
Record: 8-7, second place in the East Division, 1 1/2 games out
Team Average: .270 (fourth)
Team ERA: 6.23 (fifth)
SADDLED WITH GOOD STUFF: Right-handed reliever Billy Sadler of the Giants was the league's Pitcher of the Week, striking out four without walking a batter in two scoreless innings of work. His three saves on the season leads the league while he'd fanned 12 in just 7 1/3 innings and limited the heavy-hitting AFL batters to a .125 average. He had yet to give up a run this fall. On the regular season, Sadler had combined to strike out 79 batters in 55 2/3 innings between Double-A Connecticut and Triple-A Fresno.
BIG D: Arizona's Jamie D'Antona was hitting just .171 in 10 games this season but he showed why he deserved to be named to the Rising Stars Showcase. He delivered the big hit in the East Division's 3-1 victory, driving in what proved to be the game-winning run as he doubled home Curtis Thigpen (Blue Jays) in the seventh inning.
RARE PITCHING DUEL: In a league where the best team ERA was over 4.00, the Scottsdale's 3-1 victory over the Peoria Saguaros Oct. 28 was all the more impressive. Four pitchers took a combined no-hitter into the seventh as Matt Palmer (Giants) tossed three innings of no-hit ball as the starter.
NO CYCLE -- YET: Arizona super-utilityman Mark Reynolds had two singles, a double and a triple when his team's Oct. 26 game against Grand Canyon was suspended in the 11th with the score tied at 6-6. The game will be resumed Nov. 2 with Reynolds still having a shot at the cycle.
FRANNIE ON THE FARM: Giants infield prospect Kevin Frandsen hit a pair of homers, his first two of the AFL campaign, in the club's 7-5 win against Mesa Oct. 25. The pair of long balls included a go-ahead homer in the top of the ninth. He was leading the league in batting with a .389 average.
TOUGH BREAK: The Scorpions lost Angels outfield prospect Terry Evans to a quadriceps injury, which cost the Anaheim club its only representative in the Rising Stars Showcase. Evans, who was hitting .280 with a homer and seven RBIs when injured, was the Minors' only 30-30 man this season and had been picked up to Anaheim from the Cardinals even up for pitcher Jeff Weaver. Young outfielder Bradley Coon replaced Evans on the Scorpions roster.Lisa Winston is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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