AFL: Peoria at Mesa 11.2.15
Notable Performances:
— Dylan Bundy, the No. 2 prospect in the Orioles organization, made his long-awaited return to the mound Monday afternoon and threw one perfect inning. Read more about him on MLBpipeline.com.
Bundy, selected fourth overall in the 2011 Draft, skyrocketed through the organization and made his Major League debut in 2012, but injuries have hampered him ever since.
The right-hander has pitched in just 17 games since the end of the ‘13 season — he had Tommy John surgery in ‘14 and was shut down with inflammation in his throwing shoulder this past May. The 22-year old was 0-3 with a 3.68 ERA in eight starts with AA Bowie this season, but until Monday, hadn’t started a game since May 21.
— Reds prospect Phillip Ervin put together a nice game at the plate. The left-fielder went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
Ervin is coming off a 2015 campaign that was all about restoring his name as a top prospect. The former first-round pick struggled mightily in 2014, but rebounded this year and is showing some good signs in the Arizona Fall League. Read more about him on MLBpipeline.com.
Best Play:
— Athletics prospect Chad Pinder has made a couple nice plays in the Fall. The shortstop fielded a ball deep in the hole Monday afternoon and made the long throw across the diamond for the out.
Pinder, the No. 7 prospect in Oakland’s organization, was primarily used as a third baseman in college so the arm strength is not a total surprise. Pinder also hit a two-run homer.
— Atlanta’s John Camargo made a nice diving play at third to grab a ball down the line and take away a double.
Worth Mentioning:
— Sean Manaea got the start for the Mesa club and the No. 3 prospect in the A’s organization, and allowed one run in four innings.
The left-hander threw 66 pitches, 43 strikes, and although he was a bit shaky in the first (two hits and a walk) it may have been his best outing of the Fall as he found his rhythm and retired eight of the final nine batters he faced.
— Mariners prospect Tyler Smith was credited with a steal of home in the first inning. Smith was on third when Reds prospect Phillip Ervin stole second base and upon the catcher’s throw to second, Smith swiped home, completing the double steal.
— Orioles pitching prospect Tanner Scott, a lefty, had his fastball clocked at 101 MPH.