NewsProductive d'Arnaud ignoring AFL stats
Bucs prospect shares Fall League lead with eight steals
By Brittany Ghiroli / Special to MLB.com
11/14/09 12:35 AM EST
Pirates prospect Chase d'Arnaud doesn't care for statistics or standings."I've looked at them, I think, once," Arnaud admitted of his numbers in the Arizona Fall League. "I try not to."
But if the 22-year-old does happen to catch a glimpse, he won't be disappointed. Pittsburgh's fourth-round pick in last year's Draft, Arnaud has built on an impressive first full season in the Minors with an equally productive run in the AFL.
Friday night was the latest example as the speedy infielder went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two stolen bases in the Scottsdale Scorpions' 9-2 romp over the Peoria Saguaros in front of 1,030 at Scottsdale Stadium.
The loss by the second-place Saguaros (12-15) clinched the AFL West Division title for the Peoria Javelinas, who fell to Surprise earlier Friday.
For d'Arnaud, the pair of thefts raised his total to eight, tying him for the league lead. He's also hit safely in 13 of 16 AFL games, with three multi-hit efforts in his last six contests.
"Right now, [what] I'm working on more than anything is getting down on timing," said d'Arnaud who has had to adjust to some pretty advanced pitching in the talent-heavy AFL. "[There were] a couple at-bats [Friday] where my timing was off and when it was on."
"Every team is loaded with talent," added d'Arnaud, who credits teammate Domonic Brown (Phillies) as a valuable offensive resource. "I've observed all the things that they've done well. I want to apply that to my game."
So far, so good for d'Arnaud. The former Pepperdine University star is batting .286 with five RBIs, four of which have come in his last half-dozen games.
After starting the 2009 campaign with Class A West Virginia, d'Arnaud was selected to the South Atlantic League's midseason All-Star team. He also was named the SAL's Best Defensive Shortstop by Baseball America before being promoted to Class A Advanced Lynchburg at the break. A versatile infielder who has seen time at third base and shortstop, d'Arnaud hit .287 with 54 RBIs in 103 games.
"I'm holding up all right, actually," d'Arnaud said of his seemingly non-stop season. "I'm just trying to have the best game that I can every time I'm in the lineup."
Giants prospect Thomas Neal added a two-run triple for the Scorpions, who capitalized on six errors to score seven runs in their final two at-bats. Jose Tabata (Pirates) singled to keep his team-leading average at an impressive .356 through 24 games. He's tied with Mesa's Bryan Petersen (Marlins) for the league lead with 35 hits.
Giants right-hander Joe Martinez (1-0) struck out seven and allowed a run on three hits over four innings. The 26-year-old Boston College product moved into second place in the AFL with 24 strikeouts in six games.
For the Saguaros, Reds top prospect Mike Leake yielded just one hit and exited after giving up an unearned run over four innings. Despite boasting a 1.72 ERA in five outings, the just-turned 22-year-old is 0-2 this fall.
Brittany Ghiroli is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
