Mike Vasil, Photo by Ed Delany
The Arizona Fall League 2022 season is about to start as the 2022 Major League Baseball season is drawing to a close. The New York Mets are sending nine players to the Arizona Fall League this season: P Grant Hartwig, P Troy Miller, P Franklin Sanchez, P Christian Scott, P Mike Vasil, INF Kevin Kendall, INF Luke Ritter, OF Stanley Consuegra, and OF Brandon McIlwain.
These eight players will play for the Peoria Javelinas. The Javelinas will also be comprised of prospects from the Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, and San Diego Padres organizations.
Hartwig, 24, was an undrafted free agent signed by the Mets out of Miami (OH) University. This past season, Hartwig pitched for all four full season affiliates for the Mets. In 39 appearances, he was 6-2 with 13 saves, a 1.75 ERA, 1.094 WHIP, 3. 8 BB/9, and an 13.2 K/9.
Miller, 25, was obtained by the Mets from the Toronto Blue Jays last season for RHP Jacob Barnes. Miller only made two starts with Double-A Binghamton last season before needing Tommy John surgery. He has not pitched at all during the 2022 season.
Sanchez, 21, pitched for St. Lucie and Brooklyn this season. In seven starts and 10 relief appearances, he was 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.374 WHIP, 5.3 BB/9, and a 10.6 K/9.
Vasil, 22, was the Mets eighth round draft pick out of the University of Virginia in the 2021 draft. Vasil appeared for the FCL Mets, St. Lucie, and Brooklyn this season. In 17 starts and one relief appearance, he was 4-2 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.079 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9, and a 10.7 K/9.
Kendall, 23, was the Mets seventh round draft pick out of UCLA in the 2021 draft. Kendall missed all but three games of this season with an undisclosed injury. Like with Miller, this may be more of an offseason rehab assignment than anything else.
Ritter, 25, was the Mets seventh round draft pick out of Wichita State University in the 2019 draft. Ritter played across the infield for Binghamton and Syracuse. In 126 games, he hit .204/.311/.361 with 21 double, three triples, 15 homers, and 62 RBI. He was also successful in nine out of 13 stolen base attempts.
Consuegra, 22, began to reestablish himself after being a very well regarded prospect who dealt with a number of injuries. He played all three outfield positions but was primarily a corner outfielder. In 122 games split between St. Lucie and Brooklyn, he hit .247/.317/.408 with 27 doubles, six triples, 13 homers, and 59 RBI. He was successful in 12 out of 22 stolen base attempts.
McIlwain, 24, was signed as an undrafted free agent out of USC in 2021. He split the 2022 season between Brooklyn and Binghamton mostly playing center and right field. In 98 games, he hit .255/.345/.391 with 15 doubles, six triples, seven homers, and 33 RBI. He was successful 15 times in 22 stolen base attempts.
As noted by Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline, the AFL Season will feature a number of rule changes. Those rule changes include a pitch timer, limits of defensive shifting, larger bases, and a challenge system for an automated umpire which will call balls and strikes. There are three challenges permitted, and a team gets one back if they prove correct in their challenge.
