Hard to believe we are so deep in the AFL season, but here we are with yet another AFL update from the last week of play.
Nacho Alvarez Jr.
5G, .421/.500/.789, 4 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
AFL season: .293/.438/.462
Nacho appeared in five games last week and had an extremely strong week of play. He went 0-for-7 in a pair of games, but was on top of his game for the other three going a combined 8-for-12 with four doubles, a homer, highlighted by his huge 5-for-5 game on Saturday. Nacho was a surprise addition to the AFL roster because of his time in Atlanta, but with just 78 games played the Braves felt the need to give him additional work, and it has paid off quite well – as Nacho has slashed .392/.438/.462 across 16 games. The Nacho Alvarez Jr. approach is on full display, as well, with a strikeout rate under 15% (13.7%), and a walk rate of 17.8%. His ability to get on base has always been a plus and now we are beginning to see him pull the ball a bit more and put together better line drive rates. Nacho’s overall evaluation remains in flux, because if the power numbers continue to increase and we see more pulled balls, his profile becomes even more intriguing because of the 89% contact% he’s putting together in the league.
Patrick Clohisy
4G, .286/.375/.286, 6 SB, 5 R, RBI
AFL season: .242/.373/.323
Patrick Clohisy continued to play exactly how Patrick Clohisy has played this year, getting on base at a good clip and using his speed to chaos havoc on the base pads. Across the four games he played, Patrick had hits in three of the four games, including an absurd six stolen bases across two games. His speed has reigned supreme, as he is tied with the AFL lead with 17 stolen bases. On the year, Patrick has now accumulated 96 stolen bases with a success rate of 83%. He’s one player in the organization that has helped his stock a ton this season because of his ability to make contact, limit strikeouts, and overall get on base. He also provides solid defense at center, making him an intriguing potential bench piece in the future.
Jim Jarvis
3G, .333/.455/.444, 2B, 2 BB
AFL season: .220/.319/.390
Jim Jarvis, the utility player acquired in the Rafael Montero trade, had a good week of play for the Desert Dogs, though he appeared in just three games – including a pair of walks and a double, as well as two runs scored and a pair of RBI. He’s now appeared in 12 games for Glendale and is hitting .220/.319/.390. Much like Nacho and Patrick, the strikeout rate is a solid 16%, but what’s crazy is his whiff rate which is sitting at 0%.
Jhancalors Lara
3G, 2.2IP, 0R, 1H, 3K, 2BB
AFL season: 2.16 ERA, .154 BAA, 11K, 10BB.
Jhancarlos had a strong week of play for the Desert Dogs, appearing in three games and giving up just one hit and 0 runs. While the strikeouts weren’t as loud last week, he still stymied hitters and is limiting them to a .154 batting average against – a trend that continued nearly the entire year.
Trent Buchanan
3G, 2.1IP, 3H, 0R, 3BB, 2K
AFL season: 10.13 ERA, .375 BAA, 6 K, 7 BB
Trent had a much needed successful week, appearing in three games and allowing three hits in a combined 2.1 innings pitch. While the walk rate remains troubling, with seven walks and just six strikeouts, and a robust .375 batting average against – Trent has struggled this off-season with the Desert Dogs.
LJ McDonough
2G, 2IP, 4H, 1ER, 2BB, 0K
AFL season: 5.40 ERA, .375 BAA, 7 K, 4 BB
It was a tough week for LJ who gave up four hits, and two walks across two games for the Desert Dogs last week. He’s struggled with missing bats, evident by a .375 batting average against in the AFL. While he’s got 7 strikeouts in 8 games, he failed to record one last week so his overall numbers don’t paint the greatest picture. It is important to note, however, that LJ is at his career high in innings pitched, when you factor in the AFL stats, so he may be running into a bit of a wall.
Luke Sinnard
1G, 3.2IP, 5H, 4ER, 1BB, 5 K, 2 HR
AFL season: 3.86 ERA, 16 K, 3 BB
After being the darling of the AFL, Luke finally struggled in a game, allowing two homers and four earned runs in his lone game. He kept up the strikeout:walk rate, striking out five in that game and allowing just one walk. On the AFL season, Luke has appeared in four games for the Desert Dogs and has a 3.86 ERA with a 12.3 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 rate.
Jacob Kroeger
1G, 1.1IP, 0H, 0R, 3BB, 1K
AFL season: 7.94 ERA, .227 BAA, 6 K, 6 BB
Jacob had his best outing of the AFL season, giving up 0 runs in 1.1 innings of work. While he did not give up a hit during that appearance, he did still walk three, giving up six walks across 5.2 innings of work for the Desert Dogs. He’s done a decent job of limiting hits, evident by his .227 batting average against, and the strikeout numbers are solid with a 9.5 K/9 rate, however his walks have been an issue (9.5 BB/9).
