Red Sox Arizona Fall League Week In Review: Nearing the End

[Nick John]

The Arizona Fall League is reaching its conclusion as the second to last week was a shortened one. In the penultimate week, the Salt River Rafters played four games as the Red Sox prospects sent to the AFL looked to finish the season strong.

While the season may not have ended in a championship (the Rafters being on the outside looking in at the playoffs at the time of this writing), there was still plenty to be proud of as the prospects sent by the Red Sox got plenty of work in. This was important as most who were sent either missed a good portion of the season or the entire thing, giving them a chance to make up for the lost playing time. Along with that, two Red Sox prospects were named to the American League Fall-Stars team as Luis Perales and Stanley Tucker were recognized.

The Rafters would go on to finish the week 1-3, being fifth in the standings. But, as we’ve gotten used to hearing: you’re not here for that. Now onto how the Red Sox prospects did.

Perales made one start this week while also being named to the AFL Fall-Star team for the American League. While he didn’t get into the Fall Star game, he pitched sparingly in his lone start. Throwing just one inning, Perales allowed two runs on a walk and two hits while also striking out three batters. His fastball would top out at 100.4 mph in what was his final outing in Arizona.

Jay Allmer managed to get into one game during the week, only going 1/3 of an inning as he was charged with a blown save. Allmer allowed the tying run to score in the sixth when he came on with two outs in the inning. His final stat line for the game was 1/3 of an inning while allowing one run on a hit and a walk.

Joining the list of pitchers who made one outing was Brandon Neely, the relief pitcher tossing 1 2/3 innings while allowing two runs on four hits and two walks. He also struck out a pair as he threw 48 pitches. Despite the four hits allowed, Neely managed to generate six whiffs on the outing. He was also charged with a blown save.

Jojo Ingrassia managed to pitch well in his lone inning for the week. Making it through the outing without a run despite walking two batters, Ingrassia also got a strikeout as he threw 23 pitches but only eight for strikes as he struggled with his command. Despite that he still generated two whiffs.

The final Red Sox pitcher, Isaac Stebens, pitched well as he tossed one scoreless inning as he needed just 14 pitches to get through the outing. Unfortunately, only six of them were for strikes as he got one groundout and two fly balls.

Offensively it was more of the same from the position players as Fall-Star Tucker went 4-for-15 as he continued to cool off after his hot season. Tucker also had three RBIs while striking out four times. He also had two more stolen bases bringing his total up to 12. Tucker was the only player from the Red Sox to get into all four games this week. Also came in as a substitution in the Fall-Stars game and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

Johanfran Garcia appeared in two games this week, getting a hit in both as he went 2-for 7 with a double, one walk, one RBI and two strikeouts. He split the two games between catcher and designated hitter as well. Garcia’s double came in the bottom of the second off of a 93.7 mph fastball at the top of the zone. Garcia drove it out to right with an exit velocity of 100.9 mph, bringing home the first run of that game.

As has been the trend all season, Nelly Taylor appeared in just one game this week, playing center field and going 1-for-3 with two strikeouts. His lone hit came off of a 95.1 mph fastball right down the middle of the plate that he hit to right field. The ball had an exit velocity of 90.6 mph.

Following the conclusion of this week there are only three games remaining for the AFL as all the prospects taking part in it have deserved a rest following their time playing. As the last few games are played, it’ll be the last bit of organized professional baseball in the United States until February and spring training arrives.

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