2021-2022 Winter Ball - AFL, Instructional, Latin America

andyb 2021-09-23 17:55:33 UTC #1

This topic is for all things Winter Ball. AFL starts 10/13. Phillies have said Stott is headed there. Here is the 30-game schedule.

January 15, 2021 International Signing Period (was 7/2/20)

andyb 2021-09-28 20:12:50 UTC #2

Instructionals started yesterday. Jim at PhuturePhillies has an initial list of players and observations:

Assume they will add some players from AAA and the DSL as those seasons finish (6-7 DSL players theoretically coming after the season ends Saturday). And Erik Miller seems healthy again and likely headed to Arizona with Stott and others.

Squire 2021-10-01 13:17:07 UTC #3

Looks like the AFL Squad is
SS Bryson Stott
OF Jhailyn Ortiz
OF Mickey Moniak
LHP Erik Miller
C Logan O'Hoppe

bkox 2021-10-01 13:24:11 UTC #4

I guess they still see potential in Moniak

andyb 2021-10-01 14:14:52 UTC #5

Usually there are 6 or 7. I know there was talk of Muzziotti but maybe he has a full time spot lined up in Venezuela. Most likely they add a couple of relief pitchers as I think there are position/pitcher requirements for each organization.

fish 2021-10-01 16:59:51 UTC #6

He made some nice adjustments in the spring that didn't carry over...I wouldn't be surprised to see him have a really good AZL with his time outside of the Phillies system.

andyb 2021-10-01 17:20:47 UTC #7

Looks like Arizona is using a bunch of new rules. 15 second pitch clock. 2 pickoff throws max. 2 infielders on each side of second and feet on the dirt. Automated strike zone at one stadium. I admit I am fascinated about the pickoff move limit. The pitch clock will help a small bit, but the real time suck is when men are on base and everything slows down (looking at you Kyle Gibson). Will stolen bases increase by 50%? Would that be a good thing?

I hate the shift rule. Batters should adjust to that. All these pace of play rules I am generally for.

Austinfan 2021-10-02 14:25:54 UTC #8

Ortiz surprises me, thought he'd play winter ball.
Guess Haseley, Williams and Maton may not be eligible (what are the rules?).
And Ortiz > Randolph in terms of upside.

andyb 2021-10-04 18:17:24 UTC #9

First instructional league game this morning and Yhoswar Garcia leads off with a home run.

And in an exciting development, we have a live box score of instructional league:

Adding roster from Baseball America reposted from prospect thread:

andyb 2021-10-04 20:51:51 UTC #10

Erick Brito, Jackie Pertuz, and Randy Vasquez all at instructionals today, called up from the DSL. Assume there are a few others that will arrive also. Brito had one of the best offensive seasons for a Phillies prospect down in the DSL. 327/470/366 slash. He is a little old at age 19 and repeating the DSL, but it is a good sign the Phillies thought enough of him to bring him over. 5'10" 134 utility player (he literally played every position except pitcher and catcher this year).

andyb 2021-10-05 16:48:56 UTC #11

Miller starting for the Phillies instructional team today. Another gameday link:

Squire 2021-10-05 16:58:11 UTC #12

Pretty sexy lineup for us too -

OFs - Yhoswar, Muzziotti, Ortiz
INF - Simmons, Baylor, Azuaje, Iser
C - Matera
DH Wilson

andyb 2021-10-05 17:46:48 UTC #13

Ruben's brother Luis is in charge of Zulia where Ruben Sr. used to manage and he confirms that Simon Muzziotti is slated to play there this winter:
https://www.lvbp.com/10231_luis-amaro-soy-optimista-con-el-equipo-que-se-esta-formando

Season starts 10/23. Note Arizona starts next week (10/13).

andyb 2021-10-05 18:01:26 UTC #14

Miller strikes out the side in his one inning. Ortiz grand slam and 5 RBI so far.

zambonir 2021-10-05 18:10:37 UTC #15

I didn't realize Ruben Sr. not only had a second set of kids but he named the other one Ruben!

Squire 2021-10-06 15:12:21 UTC #16

Arizona Fall League per mlb.com

Bryson Stott, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 97);
Hans Crouse, RHP (No. 4);
Erik Miller, LHP (No. 9);
Logan O’Hoppe, C (No. 11);
Simon Muzziotti, OF (No. 16);
Mickey Moniak, OF (No. 17);
Damon Jones, LHP;
James McArthur, RHP

andyb 2021-10-06 16:30:33 UTC #17

So no Ortiz now? And Muzziotti might play both in Arizona and Venezuela? That latter strategy might make some sense given the lack of at bats this season. Probably enough of a reason to get an MLB waiver for Muzziotti to play in Arizona too.

As for Ortiz, I assume this means he does have a full time job lined up in the Dominican somewhere. If that were true he probably could not go to Arizona anyway and that rumored list he was on a week ago might have been before he made his Dominican deal.

As to Moniak, I guess that means he'll be vaccinated after all because it is a league rule.

Edit - now Dombrowski says Moniak is NOT going to Arizona because of a minor unspecified injury.

Austinfan 2021-10-06 18:56:06 UTC #18

Ortiz is in FIL, then I guess to DR.
Moniak missing AFL is bad news, after getting jacked around last year, he needs all the ABs he can get.
Muzziotti on the other hand, getting force feed?
O'Hoppe, does that mean Marchan is slated for a winter ball slot?

zambonir 2021-10-06 19:22:25 UTC #19

They better get to specifiying

Squire 2021-10-06 20:30:18 UTC #20

You thinking it’s because he’s not vaxxed and the Phillies are lying? Cause I might be.