Hitter of the Day:
Zack Collins, “C”, Chicago White Sox (Glendale Desert Dogs) 2-3, HR. Collins was drafted as a bonafide bat with serious strength and enough hit utility to actualize his raw power in game. The swing and miss was expected to a degree, but his strikeout rates in 2016 certainly raised some eyebrows. There’s a ton of pressure on the bat to perform because his work at catcher isn’t very good and doesn’t project to get much better. Limited athleticism anchors him to a future DH/1B profile. He can hit some serious bombs, though.
Pitcher of the Day:
Michael Kopech, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Surprise Saguaros) 4 IP, 1 H, 0 RA, 0 BB, 6 SO. He’s been amazing in the AFL and he’s posted back-to-back strong four-inning starts. Kopech has a lot of talent, including an elite-level fastball and a slider that flashes plus. If he ever tones down his delivery, watch out.
Best of the Rest:
Tyler Wade, SS, New York Yankees (Scottsdale Scorpions) 2-4, 2B, 3B. Wade has average contact skills, good defensive instincts and arm, and he’s lacking in the power department. If he maxes it out Wade can become a second-division starter.
Gavin Cecchini, SS, New York Mets (Scottsdale Scorpions) 2-5, 2B. Another solid showing for Cecchini. He has some contact skills there, but the power is light and his defensive home is a question mark.
Frankie Montas, RHP, Oakland Athletics (Mesa Solar Sox) 3 IP, 0 H, 0 RA, 2 BB, 1 SO. Montas was on an impressive walk-less streak for his first six AFL innings, but they’ve crept back in there over his last two outings. He’s always had the stuff, but the command is the big question.
Dawel Lugo, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks (Salt River Rafters) 2-4, 2B. Lugo has some raw pop and doesn’t strike out a lot, but he’s not very patient. He has the arm for short, but the range for third.
Fight Another Day:
Trey Michalczewski, 3B, Chicago White Sox (Glendale Desert Dogs) 0-3, 3 SO. Ugly AFL. There’s still some power potential in there, but he hasn’t hit anywhere near enough to tap into it.
Bradley Zimmer, OF, Cleveland Indians (Mesa Solar Sox) 0-4, 3 SO. His production collapsed in 2016 and his strikeout rates were insanely high.
Isan Diaz, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Salt River Rafters) 0-4, 2 SO. He hasn’t clicked yet in the AFL, although this is the first full year he’s played at the pro level. Fatigue could be an issue here.
The Surprise Saguaros Hitters, UTL, Various (Surprise Saguaros) 0-26, 3 BB, 3 SO. Hang with em, boys.
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Willie Calhoun had a nice day at the plate, too -- 3-5 with a double.