Twins 2017 AFL Week Four: LaMonte Wade shows a little power

The Arizona Fall League is still going, as the seven Twins prospects participating this year just finished their fourth week of the season. Their team, the Surprise Saguaros, are now 9-13, which ties them for last place in their three-team division.

Let’s take a look at how the young Twins are doing through week three.

Tyler Jay - LHP

I regret to inform you that it was not the best week for Tyler Jay. Though he was the only Twins prospects to make the AFL All-Star Game, which was played last Saturday, he allowed the RBI-single and sac fly that gave the opposing AFL East Fall Stars the lead and ultimate win. They weren’t earned runs for Jay—he inherited the base runners—but it probably doesn’t make for the best memory.

Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press was able to catch up with Jay and ask him how his arm was feeling after being injured most of the regular season:

Jay only made one other appearance besides the All-Star game in the past week, which came last Tuesday, October 31st. Tough Jay made it through a full 1.0 inning and only gave up two hits, those two hits were back-to-back home runs—a two-run shot by Ronald Acuna, and a solo dong by Austin Riley. He also gave up two walks and didn’t strike anyone out.

Overall in the 2017 AFL, Jay now has a 6.75 ERA with seven strikeouts and three walks over 6.2 innings.

LaMonte Wade - CF

LaMonte Wade hit a big home run yesterday, November 6th, in the 4th inning off Diamondbacks prospect Ryan Atkinson. Here’s a video:

The solo-homer reportedly had a 109.3 mph exit velocity, which is pretty darn good, especially for a guy who doesn’t usually hit for a lot of power. Unfortunately for the Surprise Saguaros, the solo-shot was their only run of the game, which they lost 2-1. Wade also hit a double in the game on November 2nd.

Overall, Wade is now sitting at .254/.362/.441. with two homers, three doubles, and a triple. He also has eight walks, which ties him for second most on the team.

Sean Miller - SS/2B

With the All-Star game taking up last weekend, there were fewer games this week, meaning even less playing time for Sean Miller. He did play in two games though, and did fine, hitting an RBI single in each game.

Miller is now hitting .316/.350/.342 with a double and two walks in the 2017 AFL.

Chris Paul - 1B/3B

Chris Paul played in two games over the last week, hitting a double and scoring two runs in a game against the Mesa Solar Sox on November 2nd. He also went 0-for-4 with a strikeout back on October 31st.

Overall this fall, Paul is hitting .250/.208/.375 with three doubles and a home run.

Andrew Vasquez - LHP

Andrew Vasquez looked pretty dominant in both of his two appearances over the past week. On October 31st, he threw 2.0 scoreless innings against the Peoria Javelinas, giving up only three hits and walking zero. On November 3rd, Vasquez threw one scoreless and hit-less inning against the Salt River Rafters, though he issued two walks. Amazingly, those two walks are only two of three Vasquez has given up this fall.

Vasquez now has a 0.87 ERA with 10 strikeouts and only three walks over 10.1 innings.

Ryan Eades - RHP

The amazing Ryan Eades is still hasn’t given up a run, having now thrown 10.1 scoreless innings. He appeared only once in the past week, starting the game on November 3rd and giving up only two hits and a walk over 2.0 innings.

Overall, Eades has a 0.00 ERA with eight strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP.

Tom Hackimer - RHP

Tom Hackimer was had a better week four than week three, and was able to lower his ERA for the fall from 4.50 to 3.12. Hackimer did that with two scorless outings, throwing 1.2 innings on October 31st, and 1.0 inning November 3rd. Hackimer did hit a better in both outings, however, which is somewhat troubling.