Arizona Fall League Recap: Game 8
By Eric Graff
It’s Tommy La Stella’s world right now, we are all just living in it. I’ll discuss Tommy’s night, but first, here are the Braves prospect lines from yesterdays game:
- Tommy LaStella – 2-2, R, 2 2B, 3 BB
- Kyle Kubitza – 0-0, BB
- John Cornely – 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 K
- Shae Simmons – 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K
The Tommy La Stella hype train is now in full effect (with the notable exception of ESPN’s Keith Law). La Stella had a perfect day at the plate yesterday, reaching base safely in all five plate appearances via 2 doubles and 3 walks. Tommy is now hitting 7-14 (.500) with 3 runs scored, 4 doubles, 6 RBI, NINE walks and still has not struck out. His slash line is like something out of a video game: .500/.696/.786/1.481! He has recorded both a hit and a walk in every AFL game he has played in so far and has reached base safely in no worse than half of his plate appearances every single game. If Tommy keeps this up, the buzz around him going into Spring Training is going to be unreal. I know it’s just the AFL and you need to temper your expectations, but this kid has just raked at every level and he isn’t slowing down. I know it’s still a long way away, but if he is going to continue to hit like this the Braves have to find a way to get him at-bats. I really think that this kid is going to get every opportunity available to win the second base job in Spring Training.
As for the other Braves prospects, Kyle Kubitza came in as a defensive replacement late in the game and walked in his only plate appearance. John Cornely made his third fall appearance and it was not pretty. Cornely came on in relief in the 6th and proceeded to give up a triple, double, wild pitch, wild pitch , strikeout in succession. In short, it was not a good day for John. Shae Simmons, however, made his second Arizona appearance a good one. Shae pitched 1 scoreless inning giving up a walk and getting a strikeout.
Stay tuned for continuing coverage of the action in Arizona!