2022 AFL

[Jaxbro]

Hit 19 HRs in the first two rounds missing the finals by 2 and finishing 3rd.

The Mariners Robert Perez beat Heston Kjerstad of the O’s in the final

[Jaxbro]

2 run bomb for Mervis in the Fall Star Game. Breaking ball outer third crushed to left center

 

It was off a righty

[CaliforniaRaisin]

2 run bomb for Mervis in the Fall Star Game. Breaking ball outer third crushed to left center

 

It was off a righty

 

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CubinNY]

Saw a blurb in an article about Mervis in the AFL from some scouts. Said his defense was bad at times. Questioned his ability to hit a fastball. They said the pitching in the AFL was down. I know they know more than I do about baseball players and whatnot, but he obviously hit velocity in AA, AAA, and the AFL this year.

[mul21]

Saw a blurb in an article about Mervis in the AFL from some scouts. Said his defense was bad at times. Questioned his ability to hit a fastball. They said the pitching in the AFL was down. I know they know more than I do about baseball players and whatnot, but he obviously hit velocity in AA, AAA, and the AFL this year.

 

You should peruse this thread and see how the ability to hit velocity thing was kind of debunked after Keith Law said it. Some pretty impressive hitting on high heat, even from lefties.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Here is that blurb from the Athletic, it’s from Zach Buchanan: https://theathletic.com/3912465/2022/11/21/arizona-fall-league-prospects-scouting-reports/

 

Five prospects who left scouts divided

 

5. Matt Mervis, 1B, Cubs

 

Having gone undrafted in 2020, Mervis makes for an appealing underdog story, although that label is a bit misleading. The draft lasted only five rounds that year, and he would have been a lock to go in the top 10 rounds as a senior out of Duke in a normal year. But, asterisk or not, the guy has hit. The lefty swinger entered the fall league having raked from High A all the way to Triple A, and batted .262/.324/.590 with a league-leading six home runs.

 

Turning 25 in April, he was also one of the oldest players in a league that skewed a bit younger this year, leaving scouts to suss out how much of his performance was projectable skill and how much was him beating up on younger pitchers in a pitching-poor league. “Feels like a guy who is going to be successful in the upper minors and then have a hard time adjusting to big-league pitching,” one scout said. The raw power is legit, earning a 65 grade from one evaluator, but his swing is a bit long and leaves him susceptible to left-on-left matchups.

 

There’s little mystery about his defense at first, though, which looked rough at times this fall. But the designated hitter spot and his ability to park balls in the seats may forgive some of that. Looking for a comparison, one scout suggested Daniel Vogelbach-type value. Another shot a little higher. “I’m a believer,” that scout said. “A Rowdy Tellez type who hits enough mistakes out.”

[Tim]

Here is that blurb from the Athletic, it’s from Zach Buchanan: https://theathletic.com/3912465/2022/11/21/arizona-fall-league-prospects-scouting-reports/

 

Five prospects who left scouts divided

 

5. Matt Mervis, 1B, Cubs

 

Having gone undrafted in 2020, Mervis makes for an appealing underdog story, although that label is a bit misleading. The draft lasted only five rounds that year, and he would have been a lock to go in the top 10 rounds as a senior out of Duke in a normal year. But, asterisk or not, the guy has hit. The lefty swinger entered the fall league having raked from High A all the way to Triple A, and batted .262/.324/.590 with a league-leading six home runs.

 

Turning 25 in April, he was also one of the oldest players in a league that skewed a bit younger this year, leaving scouts to suss out how much of his performance was projectable skill and how much was him beating up on younger pitchers in a pitching-poor league. “Feels like a guy who is going to be successful in the upper minors and then have a hard time adjusting to big-league pitching,” one scout said. The raw power is legit, earning a 65 grade from one evaluator, but his swing is a bit long and leaves him susceptible to left-on-left matchups.

 

There’s little mystery about his defense at first, though, which looked rough at times this fall. But the designated hitter spot and his ability to park balls in the seats may forgive some of that. Looking for a comparison, one scout suggested Daniel Vogelbach-type value. Another shot a little higher. “I’m a believer,” that scout said. “A Rowdy Tellez type who hits enough mistakes out.”

lol - Considering Vogelbach was the comp Law made, is this guy just quoting Law, or did they both just talk to the same guy?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Top 30 AFL Prospects:

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/top-prospect-performers-from-the-2022-arizona-fall-league?t=arizona-fall-league-coverage

 

23. Matt Mervis, 1B, Mesa (Cubs No. 21)

After slamming 36 homers during the regular season and pacing the Minors in extra-base hits (78), total bases (310) and RBI (119), "Mash" Mervis continued to live up to his nickname by tying for the AFL lead with six homers. The Fall Stars Game MVP is a 24-year-old, first base-only, all-bat guy, but his power is a carrying tool and could win him a starting job in Chicago next year.

 

30. Owen Caissie, OF, Mesa (Cubs No. 10)

Though he struggled to make contact against the most advanced pitching he had faced, the 20-year-old Caissie has obvious upside. He has the bat speed and leverage to produce 25 or more homers per season and the plus arm desired in right field.

[muntjack]

If 22 players from this season's AFL have more productive careers than Matt Mervis, I will tattoo ricketts' face on my nipples.

[CubinNY]

If 22 players from this season's AFL have more productive careers than Matt Mervis, I will tattoo ricketts' face on my nipples.

Who would go on the right and who on the left?