While the Division Series in Major League Baseball are winding down, the Arizona Fall League – the prestigious spring board to the big leagues for baseball’s top prospects – got underway on Tuesday. Players with European ties saw plenty of time on the field.
Germany’s Max Kepler went 1-for-6 with a double and three strikeouts in an 8-8 tie between his Glendale Desert Dogs and the Mesa Solar Sox. He was playing first base and batting seventh. Mesa’s starting pitcher was Michael Roth. The left-hander, who debuted in the MLB with the Los Angeles Angels this year, played for Great Britain in last year’s World Baseball Classic Qualifier. He allowed one hit, a run and three walks in two innings. 21 of his 41 pitches were strikes.
Kepler’s WBCQ teammate Aaron Altherr had two hits and two RBI in a 6-7 loss of his Peoria Javelinas against Surprise Saguaros. Altherr, who is a member of the Philadelphia Phillies organization and played in the Florida State League this year, started in center field. Dutch infielder Jonathan Schoop of the Baltimore Orioles was the starting shortstop for Surprise. He went 0-for-4 and got replaced at short in the top of the eighth.