Arizona Fall League Game Notes: Felix Arronde, Austin Charles, & Angeibel Gomez

I attended my first AFL game on October 27 at Peoria Stadium to watch the Saguaros versus the Javelinas. Here is what I noticed:

General Notes

• Tickets are $14, and seating is general admission.
• Announced attendance was 271. I sat in the front row at the Saguaros on-deck circle.
• By my count, there were 13 scouts on the stands evaluating the game.
• The Saguaros bench got warned after razzing the umpire for a 3-2 strikeout call that was overturned to a BB.
• Three Royals played. Felix Arronde, Austin Charles, and Angeibel Gomez.

Felix Arronde

Started the game and pitched one inning.

•  Lead-off walk, pitch clock violation, K swinging, walk, stole 2B, K swinging. Single misplayed by LF runner to 2B, run scored, single between 1B and 2B, run scored. Foul tip caught by catcher K. All three outs by strikeout were impressive.
• After the game, I asked the catcher Kehden Hettiger, a Philadelphia Phillies prospect, what he saw from Arronde. His thoughts:
• Arronde hid the ball well, but was a bit unlucky. Had good, deceptive stuff. Maybe a little nervous being his first appearance. 

Austin Charles

• Line out to short, one hopper to SS got down the line to avoid the double play, strikeout on check swing, bases loaded strikeout swinging.
• Very aggressive all game, lots of early count swings.
• Made every defensive play.

Angeibel Gomez

• Worked a full count and stroked a single to left field for an RBI, stole second, and a wild pitch advanced him to third, then grounded out to shortstop.
• First pitch swinging, fly ball to left LF, lost in the sun, fell 15 feet to his left. It is a double in the books but should have been an easy out.
• Called strike 3. Didn't like the call but didn't challenge.

Defensively

• Shallow pop between 2B, CF, and RF. Looked like 2B called it and Gomez backed off. Ball fell.
• Gomez had a ball to dead center, realized it was over his head, and played it off the wall in a textbook play.
• Gomez made a nice catch at the warning track.