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Scottsdale fell at Salt River Monday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Jeremy Rivas, had three singles, an RBI and a run. Victor Scott swiped three bags, but Andre Granillo struggled in relief. #stlcards RHP prospect Tekoah Roby starts Tuesday. https://t.co/3VNEPBgsh1 pic.twitter.com/61SNDFWPIt
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 10, 2023
Scottsdale lost 17-5 to Surprise on Tues. Victor Scott was 2-for-4. Jeremy Rivas and Jimmy Crooks also started. RH starter Tekoah Roby took the loss. Edwin Nunez and Cooper Hjerpe relieved, with Nunez (2 1/3 scoreless IP) our #stlcards Player of the Day. https://t.co/Sj2aMxfMOo pic.twitter.com/awWPMXTPdO
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 11, 2023
The Scottsdale Scorpions walked off the Mesa Solar Sox 9-8 in Wednesday Arizona Fall League action. Only one #stlcards prospect appeared. Victor Scott scored the winning run as a pinch runner in the ninth inning. (free) https://t.co/EV9Ql75Js3 pic.twitter.com/bPMHP7kk4b
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 12, 2023
I think a pinch runner is an undrrrated tool for a manager. With the larger bases, players like Scott and Antico could win games with their legs. I would draft a couple players like them every year with hope that they could hit enough to at least be a backup in the major leagues.
A pinch runner guy needs to be playable in the field for a few innings, and have some utility besides pinch running. Doesn’t need to hit much. If one of those guys could handle that. Maybe carry him on the active roster next year and get in some low leverage PAs. Maybe not great for his development, but might add a dynamic aspect to the offense.
In Thursday night AFL action, Scottsdale defeated Glendale on the road. Three #STLCards prospects appeared for Scottsdale. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, SS Jeremy Rivas, was 2-for-5 with a go-ahead three-run home run and a stolen base. (free) https://t.co/gqV53MGkq1 pic.twitter.com/ucmi3VkWgp
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 13, 2023
Scottsdale beat Glendale in a 10th inning walk off in Friday AFL action. TCN’s #STLCards Player of the Day, SS Jeremy Rivas, singled, walked, sacrificed and scored a run. Victor Scott walked and scored. Starter Inohan Paniagua allowed two runs in three IP. https://t.co/WN13mKWAzG pic.twitter.com/bmzYkZ8Tiu
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 14, 2023
To close Week 2 of the AFL, Scottsdale defeated Peoria Saturday. Two #STLCards appeared in the seven-inning contest. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Andre Granillo, recorded his first save of the AFL season. Jeremy Rivas started at shortstop. https://t.co/OnrMkoi72w pic.twitter.com/Dx7S7HeoEV
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 15, 2023
Is Hjerpe heading for a relief profile? I know the Cards prefer to keep guys starting as long as possible, but his stuff seems to pop in these short stints. We badly need a starter so it would be nice if he became one, of course.
I would anticipate Hjerpe would return to Peoria in a starting role, perhaps making it to Springfield some time next year. Hansen and Mautz may join him.
He’s just doing relief in the AFL to get innings since he was hurt for a large chunk of the season. He didn’t have a chance to build up to a starter’s number of innings and each team only gets 1 designated starter. Presumably, he will be starting games again next season – likely at AA.
To open Week 3 of the AFL, Scottsdale lost to Salt River at home in the ninth inning. Four #STLCards prospects appeared for the Scorpions. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Edwin Nuñez, pitched a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. (free) https://t.co/liHoq5byYs pic.twitter.com/cefqdcOdGs
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 17, 2023
Usually the change from starting to relief, if it happens, occurs later on. The Cardinals like their best prospects to keep starting as it gives them a better chance for consistent work as well as longer stints to work on all their pitches.
But if/when Hjerpe becomes a reliever, will he be a “failed starter” or just a guy who profiles better helping an MLB team by working out of the pen? 😉
As already noted, there is nothing to read into Hjerpe pitching in relief in the AFL. I expect him to be starting again in 2024.
Scottsdale defeated Mesa in Tuesday AFL action as three #STLCards played. The Cardinal Nation Player of the Day Jimmy Crooks singled, walked and drove in one. Victor Scott doubled and scored and Tekoah Roby allowed two runs with 6Ks in three IP. (free) https://t.co/MESCmcu1vp pic.twitter.com/UtYejk9q2W
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 18, 2023
If Hjerpe has to become a reliever, he becomes yet another highly drafted pitching “miss” by the scouting & development team. I know many will argue that just making the majors and offering up any value at all is a “win”, but for a 1st round pick, I believe much more should be expected.
He’s only a reliever in the AFL because he hasn’t built back up to starter innings after his injury.
However, there’s lots of reliever risk with Hjerpe long term. Right now though it just has to do with his injury. He’s in the AFL so he can get some more innings on the year.
In Thursday Arizona Fall League action, the Scottsdale Scorpions fell at Surprise by a score of 5-0. Two #STLCards prospects appeared. CF Victor Scott and 1B Jimmy Crooks went a combined 0-for-7. (free) https://t.co/ZUfvR1Ou8l pic.twitter.com/k0gpcAhK0v
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 20, 2023
Scottsdale beat Peoria in Friday AFL action. Three #STLCards played. The Cardinal Nation's Player of the Day Inohan Paniagua tossed four scoreless innings and Andre Granillo had a 1-2-3 ninth. SS Jeremy Rivas singled twice, stole a base and scored. https://t.co/U62mgz0obb pic.twitter.com/5zZtIZ4L7u
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 21, 2023
From Brian’s season opeing prospect rankings blurb on Granillo: Perhaps at the end of the season, Granillo would be a candidate for the Arizona Fall League.
Nailed it.
But I don’t understand what we have here. A 14th rounder who has been a reliever his whole life is not supposed to be a thing. As noted in the blurb, he misses bats and his weakness is control. But it was also noted, by Blake I think, that he misses so many bats, the control might not be too concerning. It will be interesting to read the next season opening blurb on him to see what is said about that after some exposure to the higher levels. I do acknowledge that our present and recent late inning guys have fit into that mold, so it can work. But it can also not work, like what we saw in his cuppa at Memphis, with hitters less willing to bite. But it is the K rate, not the walks that will determine when he gets here. If the deadline moves are to be believed, Mo is on a swing and miss mission from god. That makes it a good time to be Andre Granillo.
Scottsdale improved to 11-6 with a Sat. victory at Salt River. Five #STLCards prospects appeared for the Scorpions. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Edwin Nuñez, earned his second save of the AFL with a scoreless ninth inning to end Week 3. (free) https://t.co/sl9x46dX9v pic.twitter.com/sOE4uEV1zc
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) October 22, 2023
There is something I like about Ed Nunez, but I can’t put my finger on it. He does offer an opportunity to clarify some math, though. He was signed as an international in June 2020 at age 18, I believe, and of course did not play that year. So does 2023 count as his 3rd or 4th year in the system? And how many years does he get before he would have to be put on the 40 man? How many years left, in other words.
I believe 2020 would count Bling. But since he was a teenager, he gets 5 seasons before being Rule 5 eligible. That would be the end of next season when he will be Rule 5 eligible.
Every player gets 7 seasons before becoming a minor league free agent. But for Nunez, someone would likely take him in the Rule 5 so by the end of next season, they would need to roster him.
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