AFL Recap: Purcey, Snider Making a Statement

The Scottsdale Scorpions were defeated 4-3 by the Peoria Saguaros yesterday in Arizona, the third game of this 16th Opening Day of the Arizona Fall League. Four players of the Blue Jays organization made appearances in that game.

LHP, David Purcey

Following a surgery to remove cysts in his shoulder and forearm that made him miss the last 4 months of the 2007 season, Purcey was dominant in his 46-pitch outing where he threw 30 strikes and allowed 1 hit, 1 ER, 1 BB while striking out four.

The southpaw was spotting the corners, throwing about half his strikes down in the zone and attacking hitters inside during the 2.2 IP, a success considering he was out of action for so long.

When the 25-year-old went on the disabled list, he had this pitching line: 62 IP, 67 H, 37 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 55 K, 0.97 Go/Ao, and a .277 avg. against.

DH, Travis Snider

The highly-touted prospect made an immediate impact in the AFL, hitting the first pitch he saw for a single to CF. He went on to hit another single to CF in the eighth inning, walked two times and scored two runs.

Next time out he should be able to see some time in the outfield, where he wants to improve his performance going into the 2008 season.

LF, Ryan Patterson

The 4th round pick of the 2005 Amateur Draft was able to produce one single, flied out twice and grounded out to shortstop Chin-Lung Hu. Patterson is looking to get some at-bats following a stint on the disabled list to begin last season when he broke a bone in his arm after he was hit by a pitch in Spring Training.

Patterson will be looking to improve his ability to use the whole field and be more patient at the plate. The aggressive right-handed batter has failed to post an OBP better than .327 in his last 2 seasons.

3B, Sergio Santos

Interesting to see that the California native was used as a defensive replacement at third base after being used all year long at SS, but he was not involved in any fielding play for the rest of the game. He was able to get 1 AB, but struck out swinging on a pitch low in the zone. Santos finished the year in AA with 56 extra-base hits, a .325 OBP (best in 3 years) that included a career-best 43 BB.

The 24-year-old was seen taking a bullpen session at the end of the season with the Blue Jays Director of Player Development, Dick Scott, looking on in New Hampshire. He can throw a fastball, curve and a cutter.

The Scorpions go back into action at 3:35 EST Wednesday against the same team.