Arizona Fall League: Surprise Saguaros Prospect Report
Surprise may be under .500 and tied for second in the AFL West division, but it is not for a lack of talent who are bound to make an impact at the Major League level. MLB prospect contributor Peyton Wesner highlights the Saguaros’ top performers through a month of action.
Last Wednesday, history was made at Chavez Ravine in Southern California as the Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning their first World Series championship in a seven-game series for the ages.
Therefore, with a champion crowned, Major League Baseball players have the majority of the next four months off to rest, relax and prepare for next season. Yet, that does not mean baseball is absent until pitchers and catchers report to Florida and Arizona in February.
In fact, there are two weeks left of games.
Over the last month, future Major League Baseball stars have taken over the desert for Arizona Fall League. In its 25-year history, the likes of Derek Jeter, Roy Halladay, Albert Pujols, Kris Bryant and Andrew McCutchen have refined their skills in the Arizona Fall League before beginning accolade-filled careers and playing in sold-out stadiums.
This year’s class is no exception as talented position players and pitchers have continued their respective 2017 campaigns. Thus, let’s take a look at the top performers on the Surprise Saguaros, who are affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers.
Hitting Leaders
- AVG: .383 – Nicky Lopez (KC)
- H: 23 – Nicky Lopez (KC)
- R: 11 – Michael O’Neill (TEX), Brandon Lowe (TB)
- HR: 3 – Andrew Knizner (STL)
- RBI: 12 – Michael O’Neill (TEX)
- SB: 5 – Oscar Mercado (STL)
Pitching Leaders
- W: 2 – David Ledbetter (TEX), Ryan Eades (MIN)
- SO: 16 – Burch Smith (TB)
- ERA: 0.00 – Ryan Eades (MIN), James Dykstra (TEX)
- SV: 2 – Jacob Bodner (KC)
- IP: 14.1 – Zach Lovvorn (KC)
Prospect on the Rise: Nicky Lopez (KC)
Stats: .383 AVG, 9 R, 3 RBI, 6 BB, SB
The climb of Creighton University product Nicky Lopez within the Kansas City Royals’ organization has been swift and uneventful. Totaling 129 games between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2017, Lopez is knocking on the door of Pacific Coast League baseball and a return to Omaha, Nebraska, next season.
And, that is not considering how well he has played in the AFL.
Lopez, a fifth-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, is enjoying a sneaky impressive extra month. The shortstop is punishing opposing pitchers and is hitting nearly .400. Furthermore, more than half of his games have been of the multi-hit variety; He has recorded eight entering Tuesday.
The Illinois native brings a keen eye, speed and a contact-oriented approach to the ballpark, all of which has been on display in Arizona. Including AFL action, Lopez has 93 walks to 91 strikeouts, which will bode well as he reaches Triple-A and the Major Leagues. Equally important is the havoc he brings to the basepaths — Lopez has not been held under 20 stolen bases in his professional career.
While it is unknown whether he will begin next year in Double-A or Triple-A, Lopez’s skills present him as an option to Kansas City in the near future. One must remember, Alcides Escobar is a free agent this offseason and could have a high price tag.
Lopez or the conversion of Whit Merrifield to shortstop could be asked to fill the hole, if necessary.
Arizona Fall League to MLB Opening Day: Arturo Reyes (STL)
Stats: 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 9 SO, 10.0 IP, 1.40 WHIP
The AFL has been anything but kind to St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching prospect Arturo Reyes. Regardless, the 25-year old is a candidate to leave Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida, with the St. Louis Cardinals next March.
A 40th round pick in 2013, Reyes has made five plus appearances with Triple-A Memphis each of the last three seasons. This year, the right-handed pitcher began a transition to the bullpen, finishing with a bloated 5.17 ERA in 16 appearances.
At the Major League level, the Washington state native is unlikely to receive anything more than an occasional spot start, considering the multitude of young arms the Cardinals control (Alex Reyes, Luke Weaver, Jack Flaherty, and Sandy Alcantara just to name a few). Yet, his recent results are truly troubling because when it rains, it pours. In five of the eleven relief appearances in which Reyes surrendered runs in 2017, including the AFL, the Gonzaga University product allowed multiple scores.
Even though Reyes hurled six scoreless frames to begin his Arizona stint last month, the poor outings started to pile on one another, similar to what happened in the regular season.
Aside fortuitous signs, if any Saguaro is to break through and be present on an Opening Day roster, it is Reyes. If not, the starter turned reliever may find himself becoming an organization player with no path to the big leagues remaining.
Team MVP: Andrew Knizner (STL)
Stats: .333 AVG, 8 R, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB
Perennial Rawlings’ Gold Glove Award winner Yadier Molina and rookie Carson Kelly may have the catching duties under control for the St. Louis Cardinals, but don’t tell Andrew Knizner.
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Knizner, a 22-year old from Glen Allen, Virginia, has transitioned smoothly and seamlessly from collegiate baseball to the pros. The North Carolina State product has blazed a trail through the Midwest League, Texas League and now the Arizona Fall League in 2017.
Knizner finished the regular season with a .302 batting average and hit 12 home runs between Low-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield. In Arizona, he is, by far, Surprise’s most well-rounded hitter; the 6’0″ backstop is the only Saguaro to rank in the top three of team batting average, home runs and RBIs.
Though, Knizner is not only a bat — he is well-versed behind the plate as well. During 839.1 professional innings, the catcher has just three errors. Hence, as his game-calling skills evolve, no weaknesses will exist on defense for the 2016 7th round pick.
Next: AFL - Mesa Prospect Report
Although there is no available spot for the 22-year old in his current organization — Molina is an unrestricted free agent in 2021 while Kelly is controlled by St. Louis through 2022, Knizner is likely to be a desired trade piece by other teams. After all, with his ACC pedigree, the small stadiums of the Minor Leagues can only hold him for so long until he graduates to “The Show.”