NewsWells keeps rolling in Fall League
Tigers prospect extends on-base streak to 35 games
By Robert Emrich / Special to MLB.com
11/07/09 12:55 AM EST
Being relaxed at the plate may sound like an oxymoron, but the approach is paying off for Casper Wells.The Tigers outfield prospect collected two hits and two RBIs on Friday to extend his Arizona Fall League on-base streak to 35 games and lead the Peoria Javelinas past the Peoria Saguaros, 6-3.
Wells, selected by Detroit in the 14th round of the 2005 Draft, is aware of the streak, which dates back to last season. But he said he tries not to carry that to the plate.
"It's something in the back of your mind, but its nothing that I take into the game at all or stress out about," Wells said. "I use a solid approach and it usually leads to getting on base. I just stay relaxed at the plate and it allows me to see the ball."
Invited to his first Major League Spring Training earlier this year, Wells is using the AFL to catch up after missing time during the regular season due to a fractured hamate bone. The Michigan native spent the year with Double-A Erie and already is looking forward to his second big league camp.
"[Next] year, I'll go into big league camp with a little more confidence, a little more comfortable and relaxed and battle for a spot out there, if it's possible," said Wells, who will play in Saturday's Rising Stars Showcase.
The 24-year-old Towson University product delivered an RBI double and scored to cap the Javelinas' three-run first inning. The Saguaros tied it in the third, but regained the lead an inning later. Wells provided some insurance in the seventh with an RBI bloop single.
Brewers prospect Lorenzo Cain stroked three singles, drove in a run and notched three of the Javelinas' seven steals. Brent Morel swiped home as part of a double-steal that snapped the fourth-inning tie.
Chris Heisey (Reds) blasted a two-run homer, his second in three games and fifth of the fall. Astros farmhand Jose Vallejo singled twice and drove in the Saguaros' other run.
Robert Wooten (1-0) struck out two in a perfect inning for the win and fellow Brewers prospect Zach Braddock pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.
Zach Putnam, who did not allow a run in his first two AFL starts, surrendered three on four hits in two innings. Fellow Indians Minor Leaguer Connor Graham (1-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs on two hits in 1 2/3 frames.
Robert Emrich is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
