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Detroit Tigers Prospects: Arizona Fall League Weekly Roundup (10/10-10/15)

By Tyler Kotila |
Snow falls as the game is suspended until Wednesday in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. The game entered a rain delayed after Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Lucas Sims (39) walked in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth and refused throw any more pitches in the heavy rain.Arizona Diamondbacks At Cincinnati Reds
Snow falls as the game is suspended until Wednesday in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. The game entered a rain delayed after Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Lucas Sims (39) walked in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth and refused throw any more pitches in the heavy rain.Arizona Diamondbacks At Cincinnati Reds
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Detroit Tigers prospects weekly roundup from the Arizona Fall League.

It’s been a week, and the Detroit Tigers have several prospects out in Arizona who continue to go through games as the 2022 Arizona Fall League is underway. They have eight players on the Salt River Rafters roster, with Dillon Dingler finding his way into games this week.

As the Detroit Tigers’ prospects continue to play their way through the 2022 Arizona Fall League season, we will continue to monitor them. The Rafters split the week, going 3-3. But, the Tigers faithful are likely only concerned with how the team’s prospects did.

The first week of the 2022 AFL season brought some familiar faces back to the field and some less-known faces who got some reps in. Seven Tigers prospects found their way into games, with Dingler making his first appearance this week.

That said, let’s get into it. First, let’s look at the Detroit Tigers hitters who played this week in the AFL.

Detroit Tigers position player prospects in the AFL.

First up, Dillon Dingler made his debut for the Salt River Rafters after not playing the first week of games. The Tigers’ prospect catcher appeared in two games where he was 2-for-3 with two base hits. He drew a walk and was punched out in his other at-bat.

Here’s a look from a clip Tigers Minor League Report posted on Twitter, showing Dingler staying back on a pitch and driving one to the opposite-field gap. Good job controlling the barrel for a base knock.

Up next, Gage Workman‘s second week with the Rafters was “better” than the first. By better, I mean he didn’t strike out in nearly every at-bat. Workman was still a horrid 1-for-10 with just three punchouts during the second week of games.

That brings Workman to a miserable 1-for-20 start to his performance in the AFL with ten strikeouts. A horrific performance from Workman makes it easier to worry about what the future could hold for the former fifth-round pick.

Moving on, Parker Meadows was 3-for-12 over four games, collecting three base hits and drawing a walk throughout the second week of the 2022 AFL season. For Meadows, this brings his totals to 6-for-29 over nine games played for the Rafters.

It seems like Meadows is still trying to find his way this fall and settle in. He’s fresh off a summer where he played for the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps and Double-A Erie SeaWolves. Now with the Rafters in the AFL, he’s battled some adversity to kick things off.

Lastly, Colt Keith cooled off from his very impressive first week of the AFL season. Keith followed up his fantastic first week by going 2-for-9 in three games. He picked up a double and also managed to draw two walks.

Keith’s managed a 7-for-20 line overall over seven games, with two doubles and three RBI to his credit. Keith also has a .483 on-base percentage. He’s continued to be solid, even if he cooled off a bit. After missing so much time this summer, it’s good to see solid numbers from Keith this fall.

Sep 9, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Joey Wentz (43) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Joey Wentz (43) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers pitching prospects in the AFL.

On to the Detroit Tigers’ arms over in the AFL. Let’s get right into it. Former 13th-rounder Matt Walker continues to battle through his outings. He made his second start of the fall, lasting just 2.2 innings before getting the hook.

He allowed six hits, including a home run. Walker was charged with five earned runs, surrendering two walks, and punching out only one opposing hitter. Felt like he was getting beat by the opposition. He threw strikes for the most part but got hit.

Walker has surrendered eight hits, and seven earned runs now over 4.2 innings of work over two starts with the Rafters in the AFL. Plenty of work to do for Walker to find ways to better attack the opposition moving forward.

In other news, Joey Wentz got it done again. He delivered four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. He walked two batters but punched out eight hitters, recording 12 total outs—impressive stuff from the Tigers southpaw who has looked mighty good in his AFL outings.

He’s made two starts, totaling eight innings pitched where he’s yet to allow a run, punching out 11 opposing hitters. Excellent stuff from the lefty who was named co-pitcher of the league in Week one of the 2022 AFL season.

Next is Tyler Mattison, who added another solid inning of work to his AFL resume this week. He punched out two of three hitters, needing just 13 pitches to get the job done. He was up to 95 mph on the fastball and mixed in all of his pitches throughout the outing.

Mattison has now thrown four scoreless innings for the Rafters and was credited with the team’s first win of the AFL season. He’s issued four walks but punched out five, limiting the opposition to only one hit. It’s been a good fall for Mattison with the Rafters.

Lastly, Jack Anderson was able to stave off the opposition during both of his relief appearances this past week. He allowed just one hit, walked two, and punched out two. The right-hander bounced back for a solid second week of the AFL season.

Anderson has now logged four appearances with the Rafters, totaling four innings of work. He has allowed one earned run, punching out two total. Hopefully, Anderson can continue to stack the solid outings up and continue to find success.

Visalia Rawhide’s Jordan Lawlar rounds third Friday, April 8 on a home run against Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at Valley Strong Stadium.Syndication Arizona Republic
Visalia Rawhide’s Jordan Lawlar rounds third Friday, April 8 on a home run against Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at Valley Strong Stadium.Syndication Arizona Republic /

A couple of quick notes from the AFL 2022 season

The Detroit Tigers have their group of prospects there with the Rafters. With the focus being on the players, things have not been smooth sailing for them whatsoever. The team is currently 3-9 through the season’s first two weeks.

The Rafters have scored just 64 runs, giving up 107 to the opposition. This 43-run differential is the worst in the league. The next worst is a two-way tie at the top of the league, with Peoria and Surprise both being +1 on their run differential.

The Rafters are the only team with a negative run differential by an absolute landslide. Not the best start for them. There have been a few standouts that might be noteworthy for fans besides the Tigers’ prospects.

Zac Veen and Jordan Lawlar have swung it well. Veen, a Colorado Rockies outfield prospect, continues to find barrels and get the job done. Plenty to be excited about for the Rockies fans. Lawlar was a prep shortstop the Tigers passed on when they took Jackson Jobe, who was selected sixth by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He continues to hit well this fall and do an excellent job with the Rafters, being a source of offense. There are tools to like that he’s clearly been developing during his time with the Diamondbacks organization. Grant Lavigne, a Rockies competitive balance pick from the 2018 MLB Draft, has picked up ten hits, with five of them being doubles.

When it comes to the arms, Wentz has been the best arm, but among qualified pitchers, Connor Thomas, a left-handed pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals system, has been decent. But there’s plenty to be desired from the team’s pitching staff.

Next. 3 prospects who will not make their debut in Detroit. dark

The Rafters will head into week three of the 2022 AFL season looking to improve that horrific run differential and keep adding to the win column.

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