NewsCrow closes AFL stint with a gem
Royals' first-rounder allows one hit in four shutout innings
By Brittany Ghiroli / Special to MLB.com
11/14/09 6:33 PM EST
Despite a shaky start to his pro career, when Royals prospect Aaron Crow walked off the mound at Surprise Stadium on Saturday, he left the crowd with little doubt as to why he was the 12th overall pick in this year's Draft.After allowing a one-out double in the opening frame, Crow retired the final 11 batters he faced in a four-inning outing that best illustrated what all the hype has been about concerning the highly touted right-hander. In his final Arizona Fall League start, Crow struck out four and didn't issue a walk, falling short of a win as the Rafters fell to the Scottsdale Scorpions, 4-2.
"I think just the last couple times out [I was] just missing up a lot," Crow said of the 0-2 record and 7.92 ERA he had in his previous three AFL starts.
"Being out there and being on a scheduled routine and facing hitters every [start] and every week and focusing on keeping the ball down, it's been a lot easier to do when you're in a routine."
Crow's rhythmic approach worked wonders on the Scorpions, as he consistently worked off of his cutting fastball to set up his off-speed stuff. He exited after throwing 39 of 54 pitches for strikes.
Saturday's performance was quite the turnaround, given Crow's pro debut in the AFL. Over his first 11 1/3 innings, he surrendered 10 earned runs. It was a wakeup call the 23-year-old used to focus and bear down.
"It was good facing a lot of good hitters and just realizing that you can't make mistakes," Crow said. "And you've got to throw every pitch with a purpose."
The University of Missouri standout was drafted by the Nationals in 2008 but did not sign, reportedly turning down a $3.5 million offer. In his final college season in 2008, Crow went 13-0 with a 2.35 ERA in 15 starts. The Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year and a Golden Spikes Award finalist recorded 127 strikeouts and logged 43 consecutive scoreless innings at one point.
With his first taste of pro ball behind him, Crow, who had been throwing all summer, will take a few weeks off before hitting the weight room in preparation for the spring.
"I pitched well today and went out on a good note," he said. "[And] I'll just use that to get ready for Spring Training."
Reese Havens, one of the Mets' two first-round picks last year, blasted his first AFL homer for the Rafters, while fellow '08 first-rounder Mike Moustakas (Royals) doubled, tripled and drove in a run.
Japanese reliever Tooru Murata (1-2) pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his first fall win after Scorpions starter Chaz Roe (Rockies) yielded two runs on six hits over four frames. Giants prospect Brandon Crawford blasted a two-run homer.
Brittany Ghiroli is a contributor to MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
