Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 29, 2023

photo: Jimmy Crooks (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Scottsdale Scorpions wrapped up Week 4 of the AFL season with a Saturday loss at Surprise. Four Cardinals prospects appeared. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day Jimmy Crooks started at first base and singled.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Saturday, October 28th.

Scottsdale 2 at Surprise 4 (7 innings)

The Scottsdale Scorpions (12-10) were defeated by the Surprise Saguaros (14-9) in a seven-inning Saturday game at Surprise Stadium.

Victor Scott started in center field for Scottsdale but went 0-for-3. TCN’s no. 11 prospect is tied for first in the AFL with 12 stolen bases. Scott is slashing .281/.378/.406/.784 in 64 at-bats.

Jimmy Crooks started at first base and hit cleanup. Crooks singled in the fourth inning but did not score. The 22-year-old has a .478 OPS in 28 at-bats for Scottsdale.

Jimmy Crooks

In the ninth spot of the lineup, shortstop Jeremy Rivas was 0-for-2. Rivas is batting .270 in 17 games for the Scorpions with four walks and 17 strikeouts.

Out of the bullpen, Inohan Paniagua pitched two innings and surrendered three runs. TCN’s no. 27 prospect yielded two home runs with two strikeouts. In the AFL this season, he has given up five home runs leading to a 6.55 ERA.

Scottsdale had four singles and one home run in the game. The lineup went 1-for-2 with runners in scoring position with three runners left on base. The pitching struck out eight batters in the seven-inning contest.

After four weeks of play, the Scorpions are in second place in the AFL. They are 1.5 games behind Surprise with two weeks to go.

Cardinals through Week 4

Tekoah Roby is 1-2 after four starts for the Scorpions. TCN’s no. 6 prospect has a 6.97 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 10 1/3 frames.

In relief, Edwin Nuñez is 2-for-3 in save opportunities. Nuñez has a 3.24 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP in 8 1/3 innings.

Edwin Nuñez

In 6 1/3 innings of relief, Cooper Hjerpe has a 5.68 ERA with 12 strikeouts and six walks. He has surrendered four runs on five hits.

Andre Granillo has a 3.00 ERA in six innings. TCN’s no. 37 prospect has nine punchouts through four weeks of the AFL.

Scottsdale is fourth in the six-team AFL in runs scored (123) but last in team OPS (.713). The Scorpions staff has the lowest ERA in the league at 5.01. 

Monday’s game: at Surprise, TBA vs. TBA 4:30 CT (The Scorpions are off Sunday)

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