Autumn Dreamin

Sosa hit 4 HR over the last week and is still slashing a ridiculous .433/.490/.822 through 22 games in winter ball (8 total HR plus 9 doubles and a triple). He's getting LVBP MVP chatter. He's away from the team now to get a wisdom tooth pulled and file visa paperwork ahead of ST. Wasn't immediately clear from what I saw when or whether he'll return for more winter ball reps, but I hope he carries this momentum into the season either way.

Elko starting for Team USA

Venable's replacement as Rangers manager-in-waiting?

Elko and Adler will be joining Team USA for the Premier12 tournament following their AFL time: https://www.usabaseball.com/news/usa-baseball-announces-roster-for-2024-premier12-presented-by-raxus?s=34 Old friend Touki Toussaint is also on the roster.

Elko and Montgomery both make BA's hot sheet: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/arizona-fall-league-hot-sheet-tigers-josue-briceno-continues-power-surge-in-week-2/

Alternatively... And (in my opinion) outside of when he was feeling the sting of a HBP, he's been moving fine? He's got 4 SB in 8 games, as a guy who had 8 total all last season.

Sosa does in fact appear to be carrying his late season progress forward. He's hitting .536/.581/.893 through the first week or so of winter ball (28AB).

Lots of rave reviews for Montgomery's swing and approach early in Fall League. He's got just 1K through 17AB (7 games). His 9 walks (and a few HBP) have led to a league leading .607 OBP. He's also stolen 4 bags, so it seems he's feeling pretty healthy. Elko isn't cutting down the K rate quite yet (13K to 1BB in 26AB...) but he did hit his 3rd HR (and a 2B) yesterday:

ICYMI

Colson came around to score on an Elko HR after this HBP yesterday but left the game the next inning. He's back in the lineup at DH today, so doesn't seem like anything major. Gladney starting in LF, days off for Elko and Turner.

Taylor didn't enjoy the long layoff it turns out. Struggled with location and gave up a 2 run HR, a pair of walks, and a 2R throwing error before hitting his pitch limit. Adler and Elko put out the fire with a foul pop DP at 1B. Colson adds this double to help get a pair back. He's 2-2.

Grant Taylor is going to be so good. Doesn't hurt to be spotted a very healthy lead too. Singles for Montgomery and Elko who both came around to score (the Reds bats are nice), and a 106mph 432ft shot for Turner to chase the starter:

3Ks for Grant Taylor in the first. Also very nice attempt for Colson at 3B here:

Taylor gets the start for the opener. Colson at 3B 👀, Turner at C, Elko at 1B. https://www.mlb.com/gameday/javelinas-vs-desert-dogs/2024/10/08/787635/preview Game's at 3:30 and should be streaming here: https://www.mlb.com/video/live-fall-league-pej-gdd-138521

AFL got underway tonight, and Glendale plays their first game tomorrow. Barons' championship squad is well represented. Montgomery and Pallette are looking to carry their momentum from the end of the season into potential roles for next year. Gladney, AHT, Dalquist, and Adler will be trying to make cases for Rule 5 protection. Taylor needs innings, Elko needs to show consistency against higher level pitching, and Turner probably caps out as an org C, but one you trust to work with young pitchers so it doesn't hurt to get him more reps. Elsewhere, a handful of Sox should be getting reps in winter ball as well. Lenyn Sosa is probably the most notable of the bunch after his very strong finish to the season. Anyway, I'm a sicko who already misses Sox baseball for some dumb reason so I'll post highlights and stuff in here.

One late inning Travis Jankowski HR robbery away from not breaking the record, huh? Jankowski was also the batter for the last out at the Coliseum. Interesting history-adjacent season for a guy with <200 ABs this year.

Two Ws for Flex today.