Three of the most promising position prospects left the AFL due to injury during week two. Additionally, Stephen Strasburg got rocked and a couple of twice-drafted pitchers made some waves.
Twitter Quotes
"(Oakland A's Desme) Half man half amazing... DES is like a created player on a nintendo game every category 100 except his power is 200." -- Josh Bell
"Ranger fans......get to know the name Tanner Scheppers!" -- Coach Brant Brown
"2B Scott Sizemore (DET) suffered fractured left tibia in Thurs. 2nd-base collision during his double-play relay. Returning to Detroit." -- Arizona Fall League's official Twitter
"Not official yet, but the word is Jason Heyward is done at the AFL due to his leg issue; not serious, strictly precautionary." Also, "Mike Stanton is done at the AFL due to a back injury; like Heyward, not serious, just taking every precaution and not pushing it." -- MiLB.com's Jason Grey
Hot Players
Ian Kennedy -- Kennedy has been mowing down hitters thus far. In 11.1 innings pitched, he's struck out 13 batters and walked just one. While he isn't known for being a power pitcher, hitters have swung and missed quite a bit against him.
Tanner Scheppers -- Scheppers has certainly opened some eyes thus far. In five innings (16 TBF), he's allowed just one hit and a walk to go along with six strikeouts (35.3%). In his start on Thursday, Scheppers' average fastball velocity was 96.4 MPH -- he topped out at 98.2 MPH. While no one has ever questioned the quality of his pitches, he'll have to show a sustained record of solid command and stay injury-free over an extended period of time to quiet his detractors.
Notables
Stephen Strasburg -- Strasburg's second start wasn't nearly as successful as his first. Of the 16 batters he faced, he only registered five first-pitch strikes, and he left too many pitches over the heart of the plate. However, the quality of his pitches was still great (his fastball averaged 95.9 MPH and hit 98.8 MPH), and his less-than-stellar command could be at least partially due to his long layoff from competition. I don't think this performance is anything to be concerned with.
Grant Desme -- With five home runs in his last four games, Desme is generating a good amount of buzz. Though he has struck out in 27.3% of his 44 AFL plate appearances so far, he could challenge for the league record for home runs -- he already has seven. Brandon Wood currently holds the AFL record with 14 home runs in 2005.
Aaron Crow -- Crow has been added to the Surprise Rafters' roster, and will likely make his debut Wednesday or Thursday this week.
Dustin Ackley -- We didn't want to go two weeks without at least noting how Ackley has performed in his first taste of pro ball. Splitting time between center field, left field and designated hitter, he has managed only one extra-base hit through 22 plate appearances (9.1% BB and 18.2% K).
Underperformers
Buster Posey -- In the running to be the Giants' 2009 Opening Day catcher, Posey has struck out in 25.0% of his 36 plate appearances and has just two extra base hits.
Freddie Freeman -- Freeman hasn't done much to impress through the first two weeks of the season. While he has a solid 11.5% walk rate, he has just one extra base hit in 26 plate appearances (.043 IsoP), and has struck out 38.5% of the time. It'll be interesting to see how he'll be able to adjust as a contact hitter.
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