The Caribbean leagues were off on Monday, so let's take a look at highlights from yesterday's Arizona Fall League action.
- Cody Asche, 3B, Phillies (22) (Peoria): 3-for-5, 2B (4), R, 2 RBI. Asche’s four doubles lead the AFL; batting .350/.381/.550 overall.
- Jarred Cosart, RHP, Astros (22) (Mesa): 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, BB, K. Closed the regular season by allowing just one earned run over his final 16 innings at Triple-A Oklahoma City. 0-1, 4.91 ERA, 3-1 K-BB in the AFL thus far.
- Nick Franklin, SS, Mariners (21) (Peoria): 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI. Back-to-back multi-hit games for the anti-Brendan Ryan; batting .417/.417/1.083 overall.
- Kyle Jensen, LF, Marlins (24) (Phoenix): 0-for-3, RBI, BB, 3 K. Plus raw power, but little athleticism and a designated hitter defensive profile; batting .188/.316/.250 overall.
- James Paxton, LHP, Mariners (23) (Mariners): 3.0 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 5 K. Power lefty has two plus pitches in a mid-90s fastball and upper-70s curve; inconsistent control likely limits his ceiling to that of a good number-three starter. 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 10-2 K-BB in the AFL through two starts.
- Chris Reed, LHP, Dodgers (22) (Mesa): 0.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R. Dodgers’ 2011 first-round pick hadn’t allowed a run to score prior to this disastrous outing against Peoria; 1-0, 22.50 ERA, 0-0 K-BB overall.
- Matt Skole, 3B, Nationals (23) (Salt River): 3-for-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI, BB, K. Holds a comfortable advantage (.583 to .462) over Phoenix’s Nick Ahmed in the league batting title race.
- Matt Szczur, CF, Cubs (23) (Mesa): 3-for-4, 2B (1), R, SB (4). Tied with Kevin Kiermaier and Josh Prince for the league lead with four stolen bases (in four tries); batting .368/.478/.421 overall.
- Jeudy Valdez, 2B, Padres (23) (Peoria): 3-for-5, 2 2B (3), 3B (1), 3 R, RBI, K. Possesses good speed and surprising pop, but hit just .225/.273/.364 at Double-A San Antonio in his seventh professional season.
- Kolten Wong, 2B, Cardinals (22) (Surprise): 2-for-4, RBI, CS. Poised to become the first above-average college bat drafted by the Cardinals in the first round since J.D. Drew in 1998, and shouldn’t have any trouble pushing aside Daniel Descalso and Skip Schumaker by mid-2013.
Other Notes
SS Yordy Cabrera took the roster spot of 3B Miles Head after Head sustained a strained left shoulder on Saturday . . . RHP Tyler Chatwood took over the league strikeout lead by fanning five Phoenix batters in three and two-thirds innings . . . Seven Phoenix pitchers combined to strike out 13 Salt River Rafters on Monday.
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http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2012_10_15_perwin_msswin_1&t=g_box&sid=l119
a) It was presumptuous to say that Wong will take over by mid-2013. I think he will be ready, but things rarely work out the way we expect them to. Saying that he would take over "sometime next year" would probably have been more appropriate.
b) Your argument makes more sense in a Jon Jay / Oscar Taveras context, to me, at least). Daniel Descalso is borderline-replacement level (depending on how much value you attribute to his defense), and I don't see him being much of an obstacle if/when Wong proves he is ready to play every day in St. Louis.
While I don't necessarily agree with your take on the Wong situation, I honestly do appreciate the comments and hope you'll continue to voice your opinion when you disagree with something I (or any BP author) write.