Cardinals’ Arizona Fall League Update: Week One recap

If fellow editor Chris Gigley got you intrigued about the Cardinals’ prospects playing in the Arizona Fall League, join the club.

Today, we are going to take a look at how these prospects are doing so far.

Pitchers

Luke Weaver – in one appearance for the Surprise Saguaros, Weaver has gone three innings, allowing one run, striking out five, and registering a hold. That is a pretty dominant appearance for the young right-hander. In case you missed it, I picked Weaver as the best minor league player in the Cardinals’ system this season, in my list of the top prospects of 2015.

Alex Reyes – in one start for the Saguaros, Reyes went 3.2 IP, struck out five, allowed one hit, and didn’t allow a single run. According to Baseball America, Reyes touched triple digits on his fastball and featured a hard curve in the low 80s, as well as a low 90s change that danced away from lefties (filthy). I’ll say it again and again, I am excited about this guy.

Dean Kiekhefer – Kiekhefer, as Gigley stated has a chance to make the roster as a left-handed specialist next season. In one appearance for the Saguaros, Kiekhefer went two innings, giving up just one hit and not allowing a run.

Robby Rowland – Rowland, another intriguing bullpen arm has allowed just one hit in his only appearance for the Seguaros so far.

Hitters

Mike Ohlman – Ohlman is one of the more intriguing prospects in the system. He’s a catcher with an ability to hit and hit for power. I wouldn’t mind for Ohlman to make the roster in the future as a backup, if he can learn another position as well to get more at bats, he could come in and learn from the best in Yadier Molina and lighten Yadi’s load to help prevent more injuries. In two games played so far, Ohlman has two hits in seven at bats, one being for a home run and the other a single. Keep an eye on Ohlman. 

More from St Louis Cardinals Prospects

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• Cardinals: Moises Gomez hit 39 home runs, could be in St. Louis in 2023?
• Cardinals: These two prospects have the tools to break out in 2023
• Cardinals: Alex Reyes and Delvin Perez should be cautionary tales

Charlie Tilson – If you remember right Tilson and Ohlman were kind of #1 and #1a in my ranking of best player in Springfield this season. Unfortunately, things have not gotten off to a good start for Tilson, as he has no hits in five at-bats in his only game played so far.

Patrick Wisdom – Enter the Cardinals’ prospect with the most appearances so far in the AFL season. Wisdom has played in four games so far and in those four games he is 4-13 with three doubles and a triple.

Aledmys Diaz – As I have mentioned before, Diaz is my favorite to make the team out of all of the prospects on this list. Unfortunately, for Diaz things have not gone well for him in the two games he’s played. He does not have a hit in eight at-bats, but does have one walk in the two games. Diaz, really has got to play well as he could play himself into serious consideration come spring training next year. If Diaz, does not have an impressive Fall, he could find himself in a different organization (which I would hate) if he isn’t protected from the Rule 5 Draft by being added back on to the 40-man roster.

That does it for this week’s AFL recap, check back next week as we take a look at how the second and first full week of the season went for the Cardinals’ prospects.

Next: Most intriguing prospects at Instructional League