Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 7, 2022

photo: Walker, Winn and Hence celebrate the win (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

By Luke Kotcher with Brian Walton

In Sunday’s Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game, the National League defeated the AL. Jordan Walker doubled and plated two and Connor Thomas tossed a scoreless inning. Masyn Winn made a phenomenal play at shortstop and in an odd circumstance, Tink Hence retired Walker in the ninth.

Results from the Arizona Fall Stars game played Sunday, November 6th.

NL Fall Stars 9, AL Fall Stars 3

The NL Fall Stars topped the AL Fall Stars at Sloan Park on Sunday afternoon. All four Cardinals invited, Connor Thomas, Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn and Tink Hence, appeared in the 9-3 victory.

With a 1.59 ERA in the desert, Thomas was selected to be the starter for the NL. He tossed the first inning and only threw eight pitches, though not a single cutter. True to form, TCN’s no. 29 prospect worked quickly, recording two groundouts. Thomas also fanned Home Run Derby runner up Heston Kjerstad.

Connor Thomas

Walker started at designated hitter and hit cleanup. He flew out in the first and grounded out in the fourth. In the fifth, TCN’s no. 1 prospect doubled on a one hopper off the right-center wall to drive in two runs and capture the lead for his squad. Walker also popped out and flew out to go 1-for-5.

Jordan Walker

In the fifth, Winn entered as a pinch runner and came across on the Walker double. He remained in the game the rest of the way, going 0-for-2 with a flyout and groundout. Winn also made a great play at shortstop to throw a runner out.

Masyn Winn

Even though the home NL club led midway through the ninth, the game was extended to the bottom half to enable everyone to play. The AL was out of pitchers so NL star Hence came in for the AL and faced Walker. The DH gave the ball a ride to the warning track but it was caught. TCN’s no. 7 prospect threw 1/3 of an inning and surrendered a hit.

Tink Hence

After the game, the Cardinals duo discussed the unusual at-bat. It was the first time the two 2020 draft picks had ever faced one another – it hadn’t occurred before even in practices.

“He throws hard,” Walker said, ““He wants to challenge me. He likes to beat me with his best fastball. I knew it was going to be a hard fastball, so that’s what I was looking for.”

Walker concluded by saying, “I am looking forward to it. Number two (meeting) – I am going to get him next time!”

Here is a segment of the Hence-Walker post-game audio.

Cubs prospect Matt Mervis was named the Fall Stars MVP. The first basemen blasted a two-run homer to cap off a six-run fifth inning. The NL recorded 10 hits, three walks and the pitching fanned 13 batters.

Tuesday’s game: Salt River at Mesa, TBA vs. TBA 1:35 CT (The Rafters are off Monday) Thomas is scheduled to start next on Wednesday.

Related interview exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Jordan Walker in His Own Words

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