Week two of the Arizona Fall League has concluded, with the Salt River Rafters tied atop the East division with a record of 5-5. The past week brought us a few notable moments, including a Peter Tago sighting!
This week saw Raimel Tapia find his stroke, going 7-for-13 with two extra base hits -- one being a triple off of Tago -- a walk, and two strike outs. Tapia brings his AFL season average up to .300, and his OBP to .333 through seven games. In addition, Tapia has stolen three bases and has come around to score twice. Jordan Patterson continues to struggle, going 1-for-11, and his average has plummeted to .100 (2-for-20) on the fall season through five games. Chris Rabago made his second appearance last Thursday, going 0-for-4 in a 7-5 loss against the Desert Dogs; he sits at .167/.375/.333 through two games.
Kyle Freeland made his second start of the year last Wednesday, fairing much better his second time out, He pitched three innings, in which he gave up no runs, five hits, walked two and struck out three in what ultimately became a 1-0 loss to the Desert Dogs. He will take the mound again Tuesday the 27th against the Scottsdale Scorpions. Sam Moll made one appearance this week, in the loss to the Desert Dogs on Wednesday. He pitched two scoreless, with a walk and a strike out.
Carlos Estevez made two appearances this week, the first of which came last Monday the 19th against Surprise, when he recorded a save after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He made another appearance this past Saturday, picking up the win after pitching a perfect ninth in a 5-4 victory over Mesa. Estevez has yet to allow a hit in AFL play, his only baserunner reaching on a walk. Matt Carasiti made two more appearances this week, walking two in one and a third innings on Tuesday in a 3-1 loss to Surprise. In his second appearance of the week, Saturday's 5-4 over Surprise, he pitched one and two thirds, allowing only a walk. After three appearances, he has yet to surrender a hit, but has walked four batters.
This past week also saw the beginning of the Australian Baseball League's season. Two Rockies prospects have been sent to Australia, with unconfirmed reports of a third possibly on the way, according to Tyler Maun. Alex Balog (#19 PuRP) has found his way to the Sydney Blue Sox, and Correlle Prime (#25) is a member of the Perth Heat.
So far, Balog has made one appearance, pitching three innings on Saturday the 24th in which he allowed three hits, one walk, and one earned run (two total). Prime appeared in four games over the weekend, playing both games of a doubleheader both Saturday and Sunday. He went 4-for-14 with an RBI, two walks, four strikeouts and a run scored.