Arizona Fall League Update – Days 11, 12, 13 – Aaron Sanchez Sparkles – Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

Toronto Blue Jays top prospect pitcher Aaron Sanchez. Credit: MLB Prospect Portal

I’ve missed the past couple of Arizona Fall League games. The Salt River Rafters, which is partially stocked with prospects from the Toronto Blue Jays, played games on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week. I’ll be covering them in reverse chronological order for reasons you will soon see.

Wednesday – October 23, 2013

The Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Aaron Sanchez started for the Rafters on Wednesday and was simply spectacular. Sanchez has had a bit of a rough go in the AFL to start so it was nice to see him get on track with four scoreless innings. He didn’t allow a hit and walked only one batter while striking out four. Most impressively, he managed to get through four innings on only 49 pitches and 28 were called for strikes. Sanchez struggled with command his last start and he’s been under a lot of scrutiny the past couple of days after Keith Law of ESPN listed him as one of his ten biggest prospect disappointments this season. According to some tweets Sanchez hit 99 MPH on the radar gun. I’m assuming that he wasn’t a fan of Law’s review…

Since the tweet address Marcus Stroman we might as well get to him next. He pitched 1.2 innings and it wasn’t his best performance. He allowed two hits and three walks, which was odd for the young righty who usually exhibits quality control. He did have one strikeout but allowed three runs and was charged with the blown save. Stroman needed 42 pitches to obtain his fives outs.

Andy Burns DH’d for the Rafters and batting sixth he was held 0 for 4. His batting average has quickly dropped down to .222.

Final: Salt River Rafters 6, Surprise Saguaros 8

Tuesday – October 22, 2013

Derrick Chung handled the catching duties and despite batting ninth he led the Rafters going 3 for 3 with a walk. He was just as good behind the plate and threw out Cory Spangenberg attempting to steal in the eighth. He also helped save a run in the third by preventing a run from scoring on a play at the plate, which came courtesy of an outfield assist from Tim Wheeler.

Center fielder Kenny Wilson led off for the Rafters on Tuesday night and was 1 for 4 with a walk and strikeout. If you’ve been following the AFL you probably already know that once Wilson gets on base it’s pretty much a guarantee he’ll try to steal a base (or two). He snagged another on Tuesday to bring his league total to seven, which is good for second best in the league.

Burns played third base and was hitless going 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was able to draw a walk. He also played a clean game at third base and initiated a double play to close out the seventh.

Final: Salt River Rafters 3, Peoria Javelinas 5

Monday – October 21, 2013

Wilson was the only Toronto Blue Jay to see action and was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final: Salt River Rafters 3, Peoria Javelinas 5