It looks like the daily Arizona Fall League updates are going to be worth watching here, too.
The White Sox put six players on the Glendale Desert Dogs roster, and it's a very compelling initial crop:
Burdi was the most predictable, followed by Robert, as both of them missed time during the season. Burdi's presence is a reminder that this is an aggressive assignment for Robert, who is hitting .255/.325/.330 over 28 games at Winston-Salem after a big game on Thursday.
It's also an aggressive assignment for Rivera, although Rivera's spent the year hitting .317/.360/.488 over 120 games split evenly between A-ball levels. The 23-year-old will get a chance to pick on kids his own size. (I figured Danny Mendick was the more likely infielder, since he'll require Rule 5 consideration this winter.)
Basabe is a classic AFL case, pushing a prospect who is on the cusp of greater renown. He's hitting .253/.337/.398 at Birmingham, a decent performance for an age-21 season at Double-A. This might be a way of keeping the reps coming, as the Barons will face the kind of outfield logjam that Winston-Salem managed during the first half.
Thompson and Banks are unusual choices for pitchers, in that both pitchers have been healthy all the way through. Thompson had a breakout year in his first full year as a reliever, posting a 1.59 ERA over 74 innings split between Birmingham and Winston-Salem. He's Rule 5 eligible, so this could be a way to evaluate him in a tougher setting, or a showcase for moving him.
Banks, on the other hand, turns 27 in October, and he's already thrown 146 innings as an organizational arm bouncing between High-A and Double-A. It's possible he's keeping a seat warm for other pitchers more classically suited for AFL work. Alec Hansen is probably out based on his major problems closing out the season, but Dane Dunning could fit the bill if his elbow is up to the task.
Charlotte 5, Durham 3
- Charlie Tilson went 1-for-4 with a double.
- Eloy Jimenez, 1-for-3 with a homer, walk and strikeout.
- Welington Castillo was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Seby Zavala went 2-for-4 with two doubles.
- Ian Hamilton: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Biloxi 3, Birmingham 2
- Joel Booker doubled, singled and struck out twice.
- Luis Basabe was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Zack Collins went 0-for-3 with a sac fly.
- Alex Call, 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Danny Mendick went 1-for-3 with a sac fly.
Winston-Salem 13, Salem 0
- Nick Madrigal went 2-for-5 with a double.
- Luis Robert doubled twice, singled once, struck out once, got plunked and stole a base.
- Luis Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a triple, walk and strikeout.
- Gavin Sheets was 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Ti'Quan Forbes, 1-for-3 with an HBP.
- Laz Rivera went 2-for-4 with a homer, walk and strikeout.
Asheville 5, Kannapolis 4 (10 innings)
- Luis Curbelo went 2-for-4 with a double.
- Steele Walker, 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
- Carlos Perez, 2-for-4.
- Andrew Perez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
- Will Kincanon: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
More:
*The Intimidators fell behind West Virginia in the hunt for the second postseason spot.
Helena 10, Great Falls 5
- Romy Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with a homer and two strikeouts.
- Lenyn Sosa, 1-for-5.
- Amado Nunez was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and sac fly.
- Gunnar Troutwine went 2-for-4.
- Maiker Feliz wore the collar and silver sombrero.
- Jason Bilous: 3 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 1 WP
