Trey Harris, Connor Johnstone lead Atlanta Braves in Week 5 of AFL

This is Week 5 of our weekly look-in, covering several Atlanta Braves prospects in the Arizona Fall League.

With just one more week to go, the end is drawing near for what little is left of Atlanta Braves baseball (I know… it’s sad), as the 2019 Arizona Fall League season will end this coming Friday — followed by a Championship Game on Saturday at 11:08 a.m. (MST).

Previous reports:

• Week 1 (Sept. 18 – 22)
• Week 2 (Sept. 23 – 29)
• Week 3 (Sept. 30 – Oct. 6)
• Week 4 (Oct. 7 – Oct. 13)

We’ll get straight to last week’s action.

Week 5 recap

The bar was set rather low last week — Scottsdale lost every game in Week 4, finishing 0-4 — but the Scorpions played a lot better in Week 5, going 4-2 this time.

Those four wins all came consecutively, as Scottsdale kicked off the week with an 8th-inning comeback win over Salt River on Monday (6-5), followed by another win over the Rafters on Tuesday, this time 2-1.

Wednesday featured a 3-0 shutout win over Mesa, an off day on Thursday, then another shutout victory (4-0) over the Solar Sox on Friday to make it four-straight wins.

However, the Glendale Desert Dogs brought Scottsdale back to earth, defeating the Scorpions 5-2 on Saturday and 7-2 on Sunday.

Overall, Scottsdale’s 4-win week allowed them to gain a game in the standings, as they’re now tied with Mesa (12-13 record) at three games back from first place in the AFL East standings.

AFL EAST STANDINGS 

Here’s how the Atlanta Braves minor leaguers did this week

OF, Trey Harris

WEEK 5: 4 games, .285 AVG, 2 doubles, RBI, 2 runs, stolen base, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts

OVERALL: 15 games, .283 AVG, .832 OPS, 2 home runs, 4 doubles, 5 RBI, 7 runs, 2 stolen bases, 7 walks, 12 strikeouts

Harris bounced back from a rough week last week (.222 AVG) and posted his more regular numbers in Week 5. The up-and-coming outfielder had a strong game on Monday, going 2-for-3 with a double and was part of the Scorpions’ 8th-inning comeback win versus Salt River (he scored the tying run).

Harris also brought the defense on Monday, gunning down a baserunner headed for third for an outfield assist, all the way from his right field spot in the outfield. He also went 1-for-4 with a double on Tuesday.

1B, Greyson Jenista

WEEK 5: Did not play

OVERALL: 12 games, .214 AVG, .574 OPS, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, 6 runs, 6 walks, 20 strikeouts

For some reason, Jenista wasn’t in the lineup in Week 5. I haven’t found any reports on an injury or details offering a reason for his absence, but I’m sure something will pop up soon.

OF, Justin Dean

WEEK 5: 4 games, .125 AVG, run, stolen base, 3 strikeouts

OVERALL: 12 games, .184 AVG, .473 OPS, 3 RBI, 6 runs, 2 stolen bases, 6 walks, 16 strikeouts

Don’t let his four games fool you. Dean only got 8 at-bats in Week 5 — Sunday he replaced Trey Harris as a late-inning replacement and didn’t get an at-bat.

Dean also got himself an outfield assist, throwing out a runner at first base.

Unfortunately, his rates are beginning to snowball, as Dean’s OPS dropped another 50 points since Week 4. He’s starting to run out of time to turn things around.

OF, Gary Schwartz

WEEK 5: 2 games, 0-for-5, run, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts

OVERALL: 7 games, .053 AVG, .333 OPS, 3 runs, 5 walks, 9 strikeouts

Let’s just say it has been a fall season to forget for Schwartz, who is now just 1-for-19 overall with the Scorpions. To his credit, though, I’m not sure anyone could get going when only averaging 2 games a week (or under 4 at-bats per week).

SP, Connor Johnstone

WEEK 5: 1 start, 0-1, 5 innings, 5 hits, 3 ER, walk, 7 strikeouts, 1 home run

OVERALL: 5 starts, 19 innings, 2-3, 3.79 ERA, 21 hits, 4 walks, 16 strikeouts, 2 home runs

Tough luck for Johnstone in Week 5, only allowing 6-of-21 batters to reach base in his start on Saturday and still getting tagged with the loss. His lone mistake was the home run he allowed, as he pitched rather efficiently with 50 of his 72 total pitches zipping in for strikes.

The hit total still isn’t ideal for Johnstone, but he’s done a nice job this fall and should feel pretty good about his overall performance.

RP, Daysbel Hernandez

WEEK 5: 2 appearances, 4 innings, HOLD, 3 hits, 1 ER, 2 walks, 1 strikeout, 1 home run

OVERALL: 7 appearances, 9.1 innings, 1 save, 1 hold, 5.79 ERA, 7 hits, 9 walks, 4 strikeouts, 1 home run

Hernandez pitched well on Wednesday, tasked with a two-inning job (5th & 6th innings) with the lead. He faced 7 batters in that appearance and didn’t allow a hit, though he did walk a batter.

However, on Sunday he got roughed up a little, battling 9 batters and allowing a homer, plus 3 hits. Altogether though, Hernandez did fine last week, even picking up his first hold of the season.

RP, Brandon White

WEEK 5: 2 appearances, 2.2 innings, 1 SAVE, 4 hits, 2 ER, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

OVERALL: 6 appearances, 8.1 innings, 1 save 4.32 ERA, 10 hits, 7 walks, 7 strikeouts

White got the call in a high-leverage situation on Monday, working the 9th inning as Scottsdale held just a one-run lead. The 24-year-old was sharp, needing just 14 pitches to get through four batters.

On Saturday, White was needed in the 6th and wound up laboring through 1.2 innings (39 pitches), allowing two runs from three hits, plus a walk. So overall, one good outing and one bad.

RP, Bradley Roney

WEEK 5: 2 appearances, 2.2 innings, 1 hold, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts

OVERALL: 7 appearances, 9.1 innings, 1 save, 1 hold, 1.93 ERA, 3 hits, 7 walks, 12 strikeouts, 1 home run

Roney’s ERA continues to fall, as that’s another week without allowing a run (albeit from a VERY small number of innings).

The former Southern Miss pitcher picked up a hold on Wednesday, getting all three outs in the 5th and one out in the 6th (though he walked two). Roney also got in on Saturday’s action and pitched in the 7th and 8th innings.

The latter appearance was his best: 5 batters-faced, 3 strikeouts and one walk (18 pitches).

He still seems to be pitching really well, but Roney doesn’t have many innings pitched, though he was used more than usual in Week 5 (only one inning apiece in Week 4 and Week 3).

That’s it for this week. Be sure to check back next week, the final weekly report of the 2019 AFL season. I’ll give out an Atlanta Braves Fall MVP as well.