Hitter of the Day
Nick Tanielu, INF, Houston Astros (Glendale Desert Dogs) 2-5, 2B, HR. He’s crushing the AFL so far this year to the tune of a .340 batting average, but Tanielu profiles best as a depth piece. He’s stiff athletically, limiting his future to an infield corner, which places a ton of pressure on the bat to perform. His approach is below average and he doesn’t show corner power in game. Nice AFL performance, but he’s a limited prospect.
Pitcher of the Day
Austin Gomber, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Glendale Desert Dogs) 6 IP, 2 H, 0 RA, 0 BB, 7 SO. He has average stuff, a downhill fastball, and an ugly looking delivery, but he makes it work. Gomber pounds the lower half of the zone, generating plenty of grounders and keeping the ball in the park. It’s not pretty, but it is effective.
Best of the Rest
Zach Vincej, SS, Cincinnati Reds (Peoria Javelinas) 2-5, 2 SO. The hits are nice; the strikeouts are still a concern.
Gleyber Torres, SS, New York Yankees (Scottsdale Scorpions) 3-3, 2B. Torres can sting the baseball. There won’t be much over-the-fence power to back it up, but he can make solid, hard contact and hit for doubles.
James Kaprielian, RHP, New York Yankees (Scottsdale Scorpions) 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 RA, 2 BB, 4 SO. He has a load of upside and can command his pitches; he just needs to stay healthy.
Parker Bridwell, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (Peoria Javelinas) 3 IP, 1 H, 0 RA, 0 BB, 1 SO. His command has always been an issue, as he’s posted double-digit walk rates at almost every professional stop he’s been at. Bridwell has interesting stuff, but he has to reign it in.
Andrew Stevenson, OF, Washington Nationals (Glendale Desert Dogs) 1-4, 2 BB, 3 R. Sam Fuld has built a nice, solid fourth-outfielder career out of the same skill set Andrew Stevenson has.
Trey Michalczewski, 3B, Chicago White Sox (Glendale Desert Dogs) 2-3, 2B. The power has yet to actualize and I’m losing faith that it ever will.
Carson Kelly, C, St. Louis Cardinals (Glendale Desert Dogs) 1-4, 2B. Kelly can get stiff in his swing at times, but even if his bat plays to below average he’s going to have a major-league role as his defense is very good. I’m in.
Fight Another Day
Anthony Alford, OF, Toronto Blue Jays (Mesa Solar Sox) 0-3, 2 SO. There’s going to be swing and miss here, but Alford stings the ball well and he has a plethora of secondary skills to augment his profile.
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His swing look awfully like JD's on the parent club and in just wondering if he's worrying to much about the power results rather than just letting that come as he matures. Thanks.