Padres Arizona Fall League Update: Justin DeCriscio Has A Grand Day

[Steve Drumwright]

Week 4 of the Arizona Fall League is in the books, with San Diego Padres prospects playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the showcase event. Each week, we will take a look back at how the Friars' prospects fared.

A six-game schedule for all teams got pared down to five games due to rain in the Phoenix area Friday. There is only one (mostly) full week of games as the Home Run Derby will be held Saturday and the Fall Stars Game on Sunday. After two games the week after, the single-elimination playoffs will happen over three days, culminating with the Nov. 14 championship game.

For last week's recap, check here. For Week 1, check here and for Week 2, check here.

Ty Harvey, C

Padres Mission's No. 5 prospect had a nice week at the plate, going 5-for-15 with a double, three RBIs and five runs scored. His legs also continued to be a story of his AFL performance, as Harvey swiped three bases in one game and two in another to give him a league-best 14, one ahead of Javelinas teammate Tai Peete (St. Louis Cardinals). He had two big games, both against Glendale. On Thursday, Harvey went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, three runs scored and three steals in a 13-10 win while he was the designated hitter. Then Saturday in a 9-8 loss while catching, he went 2-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases.

Justin DeCriscio, SS

The infielder only got one opportunity to play last week, but certainly made the most of that chance. Playing shortstop on Tuesday vs. Surprise, DeCriscio homered twice and doubled, driving in six. The second of those homers was a grand slam. He has three homers in 12 AFL games after hitting 13 across three levels in 121 games this season. DeCriscio also has 14 RBIs, third on the team.

 

 

 

 

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Alex McCoy, OF

The slugging outfielder pulled into a tie for the AFL lead by smashing his fifth homer on Thursday against Glendale. Padres Mission's No. 8 prospect went 4-for-12 last week, also doubling while driving in four, scoring four and stealing three bases. As usual, though, the focus was on McCoy's exit velocity. His homer was launched with a 116.3 mph exit velocity, two weeks after he had a homer with a 118.2 mph exit velocity. Unlike that 436-foot shot, this two-run blast only went 395 feet with a launch angle of 22 degrees. McCoy followed that up Saturday with a two-hit, two-run, two-steal game, also driving in a run and drawing a walk.

 

 

 

 

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Winyer Chourio, RHP

The right-handed starter, who turns 23 on Wednesday, had his best start in the AFL. Against Scottsdale, Padres Mission's No. 17 prospect spun three no-hit innings, walking two and striking out three. His control was a bit of an issue, as only 19 of his 40 pitches were strikes.

 

 

 

 

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Igor Gil, LHP

The left-hander pitched twice last week, each one-inning outings. He allowed one hit in both, although one of those was a solo homer. Gil struck out two in each appearance. The homer he gave up was a leadoff shot in the ninth and led to a five-run rally by Glendale in a 9-8 Javelinas loss. 

Kannon Kemp, RHP

The right-hander made his fifth start of the AFL on Saturday, going only two innings while throwing 37 pitches (22 strikes). Four of the six outs he recorded were on the ground, but he also walked two and gave up two hits, leading to two runs, only one of which was earned.

Francis Pena, RHP

The right-hander remains just one of two AFL pitchers not to allow a run this year. Pena made two appearances last week, one a little shakier than the other. On Tuesday, he went two innings, coming in with two runners on. He struck out the first two batters he faced and then, after a balk, got a fly-out to end the inning. His second inning began by retiring the first two hitters, then back-to-back singles put runners on the corners. That brought up highly touted prospect Zyhir Hope, the big piece for the Detroit Tigers in the Tarik Skubal deal, who Pena struck out looking. He bounced back Thursday with a hitless inning.

Jordan Valenzuela, RHP

The right-hander's only appearance was a rough one. Valenzuela was touched up for four runs while getting just one out Thursday against Glendale. He walked four and allowed a single to the first five hitters he faced in the sixth inning before being replaced.

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