Baseball America, the baseball fan's Bible, has named DANNY DUFFY the top pitcher in the summer's Arizona Rookie League.
Duffy signed with the Kansas City Royals as a third-round draft pick after a phenomenal season at Cabrillo High where he posted a microscopic 0.58 ERA and 127 strikeouts.
Baseball America wrote as follows:
"Danny Duffy had the best pro debut of any young pitcher in the league, striking out 15.2 batters per nine innings and going 37 innings without allowing a home run. He did it mostly by working off his fastball. The Royals precluded Duffy from throwing his two-seam sinker and his slider, preferring for him to focus on improving the command of his four-seamer and curveball and using his changeup.
"The Royals also worked on making Duffy's mechanics more consistent and keeping him from rushing through his delivery. He made progress on all fronts. His fastball sits at 88-92 mph and touches 94, and his curveball at times is a plus pitch.
"'He got better at repeating his mechanics and maintaining his stuff late in games as the year went on,' Royals pitching coach Mark Davis said. 'His fastball was firm and live, and he really located down and away well.'"
Top 10 prospects in the AZL according to the magazine—
1. Angelo Villalona, 3b, Giants
2. Engel Beltre, of, Rangers
3. Nick Noonan, 2b, Giants
4. Danny Duffy, lhp, Royals
5. Wilmer Font, rhp, Rangers
6. Wilbur Bucardo, rhp Giants
7. Drew Cumberland, ss, Padres
8. Danny Carroll, of, Mariners
9. Cristian Santana, c, Rangers
10.Mario Martinez, ss/3b, Mariners
11.Mason Tobin, rhp, Angels
12.Michael Anton, lhp, Angels
13.Matt Mitchell, rhp, Royals
14.Yefri Carvajal, of, Padres
15.Charlie Culberson, 2b/ss, Giants
16.Larry Suarez, rhp, Cubs
17.Clay Fuller, of, Angels
18.Sam Runion, rhp, Royals
19.Ivan Contreras, 2b, Angels
20.Jacob Wild, lhp, Mariners
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In other, earlier but unreported Duffy news, the lefty was named to the High School Baseball Coaches Association third unit All-American Team and to their first string All-District team for the western states. Duffy is now back in Arizona for fall workouts with the Royals.
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In the major leagues RYAN CHURCH made a statement Wednesday night in New York. He went 3-for-5 against the Mets including a home run and his 43rd double of the season, this off closer Billy Wagner. He raised his season’s batting average to .275.
MLB.com reporter Bill Ladson wrote this—
"In his last 18 games, Church is 19-for-45 with four home runs and 18 RBIs. All of this production has come after he lost his left-field job to Pena. Church is now platooning in center field with rookie Justin Maxwell.
"Church, who has been on the trading block for more than a year, is hoping that he's sending a message to the Nationals and other teams around the league that he can still play with the best of them.
"'I hope [I'm sending a message],' Church said. 'I hope they look at it that way. I do.'"
Church’s 19-for-45 translates to a .422 pace.
MLB.com reporter Bill Ladson wrote this—
"In his last 18 games, Church is 19-for-45 with four home runs and 18 RBIs. All of this production has come after he lost his left-field job to Pena. Church is now platooning in center field with rookie Justin Maxwell.
"Church, who has been on the trading block for more than a year, is hoping that he's sending a message to the Nationals and other teams around the league that he can still play with the best of them.
"'I hope [I'm sending a message],' Church said. 'I hope they look at it that way. I do.'"
Church’s 19-for-45 translates to a .422 pace.
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