AFL Recap Week 1: Garver Provides Power

All of these questions could apply to the collection of prospects the Minnesota Twins have sent to Arizona this October.

The Scottsdale Scorpions played three games this past week, winning the next two in convincing fashion after falling in their season opener. The Scorpions game on Friday was postponed by rain.

Let’s check out what happened in the opening week of the 2015 Arizona Fall League season!

Adam Brett Walker – 2 games, 1-6 (.167), 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K’s.

Walker’s performance in the AFL in 2015 could say a lot about his development as a prospect and perhaps more notably, his ability to control the strike zone and get on base.

Two games never says much of anything, but so far so good as he’s gotten on base by drawing three walks. The former was on display as well, as this control of the strike zone resulted in three strikeouts..

Walker scored from first base on a double in the opening game of the season after drawing his first of two walks on the game. He struck out once and flew out in his two other plate appearances to finish 0-2.

In Wednesday’s 13-3 Scorpions win, Walker reached base twice on a single and a walk, but was the only hitter in their lineup to not score a run or drive one in. He finished 1-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.

Stuart Turner – 1 game, 1-2 (.500), 1 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 BB.

Turner started the opening game of the season at catcher for the Scorpions, batting ninth.

Despite going 1-2 on the game with two walks, it was his defense that perhaps stood out the most.

Turner gunned down runners at second base in the third and sixth innings. In the fifth inning Salt River’s Christopher Bostick did manage to steal second and third, but Turner’s defense showed up plenty.

Turner walked in his first plate appearance, then reached on a throwing error in the fourth. Unfortunately he got caught between first and second on the play for the inning's final out.

His seventh inning double led to him scoring the Scorpions third and final run of the game on a sacrifice fly, and he drew his second walk in the ninth inning.

Mitch Garver – 1 game, 2-3 (.667), 1 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB.

Garver also started one game at catcher and batted ninth for the Scorpions in their 9-2 win on Friday.

While he made a few defensive plays of his own, Garver showed up a little bit more on the offensive side.

He reached base on an error from the shortstop to lead off the third inning, but was stranded. He drew a walk in the fifth but was stranded again. The sixth inning is where he made his biggest contribution.

With runners on second and third and two outs, Garver launched a three run home run to left-center field, breaking the game open for the Scorpions at 6-2. And he added a double in the eighth inning.

Nick Burdi – Did not play.

With the rainout on Friday, Burdi did not see action in any games for the Scorpions in week 1.

Trevor Hildenberger – 1 game, 2.0 IP, 0 R’s, 2 H’s, 2 K’s. 0.00 ERA.

Hildenberger made his only appearance of the week in the season opener, pitching the final two innings of the Scorpions 5-3 loss.

In the seventh inning, Hildenberger worked around two errors by the Scorpions second baseman by continuing to induce ground balls. Carlos Asuaje started a double play to end the inning and strand a runner to make up for the errors.

In the eighth, the first two men singled, but Hildenberger bounced back with two strikeouts and a groundout to end the threat.

Jake Reed – Did not play.

Again because of the rain on Friday, Reed did not pitch, resulting in both draft picks and collegiate closers from the 2014 draft not seeing action for the Scorpions in the opening week (Burdi – 2^nd round, Reed – 5^th round).

Taylor Rogers – 1 game, 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H’s, 1 BB, 5 K’s. 2.25 ERA.

Rogers gave the Scorpions their best start of the opening week, allowing one earned run on two hits and a walk, while striking out five in their 13-3 win over his team from last AFL season, the Salt River Rafters on Wednesday.

He retired the side in order in the first, including two strikeouts and faced just three hitters in the second by getting a line drive double play after a lead off single.

In the third inning, Rogers issued a walk but retired the three other hitters, including another strikeout.

In the fourth he got two quick outs but to the third batter in the inning Rogers allowed the only large contact of the day, a solo home run to the Desert Dog’s cleanup hitter, Gabby Guerrero, the nephew of former major league professional hitter, Vladimir Guerrero.

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss the performances during the week!

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!