Arizona Fall League Final Report

8. Arizona Fall League

The Mesa Solar Sox Fall season came to its conclusion yesterday with a  3-1 loss, dropping them to 13-17 on the Fall League season. A look at Phils prospects who played this week:

Matt Rizzotti was 1-9 this week with 4 walks, 5 strikeouts, an RBI and an error. Rizzotti finished the Fall league season with 63 AB’s and hitting .333/500/.365 with 0HR and 12 RBI.  He struck out 15 times, walked 22 times and hit .409 with RISP.  The downside was his 3 errors at first base and the fact that he only had 2 extra base hits (no homers) during his time in Arizona.

Tim Kennelly was 1-4 with a run scored and two walks as he saw action in games Tuesday (LF) and Thursday (C).  In his 41 AB’s, Kennelly hit .293/.375/.390 with 0HR and 4 RBI.  He walked 3 times and struck out 7 times.

Tyson Brummett started on Wednesday and went 3 innings, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on five hits.  He didn’t walk a batter and struck out one, in the 6-0 Mesa loss.  Brummett finished the Fall season at 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA in 10 games (3 starts).  He threw 19 innings, gave up 21 hits, walked two and struck out 13.  Brummett’s WHIP stood at 1.21 and opp. avg. at .276. 

Chris Kissock threw 2 innings on Wednesday, giving up a run on four hits. He walked one and struck out one.  In 10 Fall league appearances, Kissock was 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA.  He allowed 11 hits, walked two and struck out 5.  Opponents hit .268 against him and Kissock’s WHIP was 1.14.  After nine straight scoreless appearances, Kissock gave up runs in his last two games.  Still, an impressive Fall.

Jacob Diekman threw one innings on Wednesday, giving up three runs on 3 hits.  He walked one and struck out two. Diekman gave up runs in each of his 5 AFL appearances, including multiple runs 3 times.  Overall, 0-0 with a 29.45 ERA in 5 games.  3.2 innings, 14 hits, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts.  Not pretty.

Notes: Catcher Sebastian Valle is at .273/.310/.400 with 2 HR and 5 RBI after 20 games in the Mexican league.

–Pitcher Antonio Bastardo has started throwing in the Dominican Winter League and both of his first two appearances were good ones, as he did not allow a run or a hit and struck out 3.

–LHP Sergio Escalona had a recent outing in which he gave up 5 runs in 0.2 innings, raising his ERA to 11.25 in 7 games in the Dominican.  That game was the only game in which Escalona gave up a run.

23 thoughts on “Arizona Fall League Final Report”

  1. If Rizzotti could play second base, his batting line would look a lot better. The .500 OBP is impressive, but the .363 SLG is just sad. I’d be happier if it was .333/.363/.500.

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  5. I would guess no on Rizzotti on the 40-man roster (which will probably get me flamed here). I just don’t see the Phillies believing that another team will take a chance on him in the Rule5 and try to keep him on the roster all year. There just isn’t enough history to support him.

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  7. In response to “Tom” … Justin DeFratus had a great season in the AFL. He stats were as follows: 7G – 11 IP – 3 H – 3 BB – 11 Ks – 1 SV .125 OBA . How awesome would these numbers look like projected over a 162 MLB season. He may be up with the big boys sooner than later.

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  8. I’m not sure I would protect Rizzotti. As much as he’s become a fan favorite, there simply is not much demand or need for a 1B that has a solid average, little power, and average to below defense. Plus, he’s had one good season at levels that he old for and what ended up being a pretty average fall campaign. It’s just hard for me to see what is there that is worth protecting.

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  9. I would think part of Rizzotti’s lack of power was due to being worn out. For a guy that claimed to be somewhat out of shape in the past playing this long into a season can really break down what muscle he built up during the offseason. If anything, his plate awareness was excellent in the AFL. I would worry more about his defense then his power (I never thought of him as 40+ HR guy anyway.

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  10. DeFratus wasn’t included on the update as neither he, nor Josh Zeid pitched this week….

    Both had a very, very good fall league season

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  11. My guess is the reason they have signed a few guys like Larish is that they are not going to protect him and are protecting themselves if he is claimed.

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  13. I’d be stunned if they didn’t protect DeFratus and equally stunned if they do protect Rizz. With limited fielding ability and no speed, Rizz can only hit for average with the sudden loss of power (he didn’t hit at LHV either) so I don’t see how he could make it through a season on a mlb roster. Savery is another one that will surprise me if he is protected. Garcia has to be protected, no brainer.

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  15. Hard to hide a guy with Rizzotti’s skill set on your 25 man roster unless your absolutely sold on him being your #1 pinch hitter. Hey, I like Rizzotti, just calling it like I see it. I do think he’ll be a big league pinch hitter, but the track record is pretty short. He needs another year no question. There might be a chance of a team taking him in the rule 5 as a flyer and seeing how well he does in the spring, but unless he starts mashing again I don’t see them keeping him on their roster for a full year.

    DeFratus will be protected. Some of the Phillies Brass have printed quotes speaking about his stuff which means they’re paying attention. It’s a done deal. Garcia too.

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  16. I think that anyone has a shot to get taken and kept on a roster all year. 2 years ago the Padres drafted Everth Cabrera and kept him on their roster the entire year and the previous year he hit .284 in Low A. I bet before that draft, no Padres fan expected anyone to take him let alone keep him on their roster the entire season.

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  18. Phillies add Justin De Fratus, Freddy Galvis, Harold Garcia, Cesar Hernandez and Matt Rizzotti to 40-man roster.

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  19. The phillies signed Ryan Fierebend, Josh Barfield, and Brandon Moss. All have invitations to Spring training.

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  20. “We should sign kenny powers he’s pitching half decent ball in mexico.”

    Awesome! La Flama Balnca!

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  21. Since roster decisions have already been made, point is moot. But not protecting Rizzotti would be ridiculous. His potential hitting could be Ross Gload (who started for KC). He has value as a prospect as well and could be a trade candidate. He is absolutely worth the one year protection because he is also near the Majors.

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  22. Kissock certainly helped his stock. He will need to continue that progress to make it to prospect level though.

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