Keys Conclude Time in Arizona Fall League
FREDERICK, Md. -Seven former Frederick Keys concluded their time in the Arizona Fall League on Thursday. All seven suited up for the Peoria Javelinas, composed of Orioles, Braves, Reds, Padres and Mariners farmhands. Collectively, the Javelinas finished with a 14-15 record.
Austin Wynns enjoyed a strong AFL season at the plate, hitting .300 (12-for-40) over 12 games. He added a home run, a double, two RBIs and six runs scored. Behind the plate, he finished among the AFL's leaders in caught stealing percentage (42.9%). Selected by the Orioles in the 10th round of the 2013 draft out of Fresno State, Wynns hit .303 between Frederick, Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk.
DJ Stewart was named to the Fall Stars game and tied for the AFL lead in walks (19). Ending with a .394 on-base percentage, the former Florida State star hit .244 over 22 games with a homer, nine RBIs, a triple and six doubles. Batting .364 against left-handed pitching he spent time in leftfield, rightfield and DH.
Playing third, shortstop and second base, Adrian Marin struggled at the plate, batting .136 with two doubles and six RBIs. The Miami native fared well in the field though, committing only two errors in 15 games, while both miscues came in the same contest.
A late addition to the Javelinas roster, Parker Bridwell pitched four games in relief, allowing two runs in seven innings (2.57 ERA). He did not factor into the decision in any game he pitched. A member of the 2014 Keys, Bridwell made his Major League debut with the Orioles on August 21.
Stefan Crichton went 1-0 with a 5.54 ERA over a league-high 13 relief appearances. However the right-hander's ERA can be attributed to one bad outing on November 15, when he allowed five runs in one-third of an inning. Take that game out of the equation and Crichton's final ERA would have been 2.13. A steady relief option for the Javelinas, the Texan did not give up a run in his first eight games.
One of the Fall League's hardest throwers, Tanner Scott had ups and downs while pitching out of the starting rotation. In seven starts, he went 0-2 with a 6.32 ERA (15.2 IP/11ER). He allowed 17 hits, walked seven and struck out 17. Scott concluded things on a high note, tossing three scoreless innings in his last start at Scottsdale. He gave up one hit and struck out five.
Used frequently, Jimmy Yacabonis tied for second in the league in games pitched. Experiencing the ups and downs of the Fall League, the right-hander went 0-1 with an 8.53 ERA in 12 games. Of the 12 runs he allowed though, nine came over two outings. A productive year overall for Yacabonis, he posted a 3.06 ERA in 50 games (31 finished) between Frederick and Double-A Bowie.
The Frederick Keys open up their 2017 season on Thursday, April 6 at Nymeo Field against the Carolina Mudcats. To book your seats, fans can call 301-815-9900 or visit frederickkeys.com. Preparations for next season are underway, while a full promotional schedule will be released at a later date.