Written by Sean P. | 24 November 2009

The AFL finished this weekend and I wanted to post a quick round up of how everyone fared this year. There's quite a diversity of opinion based on the AFL numbers but what you can be sure of is that they are very offensively inflated (like, a lot) and the limited number of at bats can cause some to draw hasty conclusions. However, every once in awhile an AFL performance really does mirror a future break out. So here's what you should know.

 

Austin Romine-C

 

.400/.438./.400, 6 1B, 15 ABs, 1 BB, 4 K

Romine left the AFL early with a thumb injury so he only played a very limited amount of time. While Romine is often heralded as the “catcher of the future” for the Yankees, he does have a lot to improve on before we go ahead and crown him right now. From what we’ve heard so far Romine can hit and has some power as well. Despite some mechanical issues that could be ironed out, his swing is pretty solid. However one thing that's always concerned me with Romine is the fact that he’s walked just 54 times in over 850 at bats in his minor league career. Plate discipline is a major issue with him. Still a very good all around catching prospect, 2010 will be a big year for the 20 year old.

 

Colin Curtis-LF

.397/.472/.731, 19 R, 11 BB, 7 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR

Curtis exploded in the AFL, leading the league in SLG% as well as OPS. Despite his success, he’s not really a prospect and the short stint in the AFL won’t significantly boost his stock at all (Evidence-his omission from the 40 man roster). However despite all that, there’s no denying his eye popping and somewhat surprising production down there. I think it was enough to raise eyebrows, however I doubt it engenders any massive shift in thinking on Curtis.

 

Brandon Laird-3B

.333/.406/.633, 18 R, 10 BB, 9 2B, 6 HR

Laird on the other hand might have opened some eyes. He’s always been a potential power hitting corner infielder but has had problems with plate discipline in the past as well as defense and some swing mechanics. Since his impressive 2007 debut, Laird has regressed with every new level reached- where he once hit an exciting .329/.358/.521 in the GCL this year he was down to .266/.326/.414 in A+ Tampa. He did hit 14 HRs this year though as well as 22 in 08 so the power has not always been an issue. Laird did however have one of those, start bad; finish strong, type years so perhaps some of that was carried over into the AFL. Hard to know for sure. Definitely keep an eye out for him in 2010.

 

Ian Kennedy- RHP

29.2 IP, 7 GS, 4.25 ERA, 28 K, 5 BB, 1 HR

Kennedy landed in the AFL for rehab purposes and given the way he pitched, it looks like its coming along well. I wouldn’t worry about the ERA as much as I would pay attention to the K/BB ratio as well as his K/9 numbers. The other bit of good news is that Kennedy’s average fastball in the AFL was 90.6 MPH, in line with his career 89.5 MPH rate. So with the velocity back and the results and command good, Kennedy is very much back in the mix in terms of 2010.

 

Zach Kroenke-LHP

15.1 IP, 5.28 ERA, 14 K, 4 BB, 2 HR

Kroenke for me is a bit of an overrated (inside the Yankee community anyhow) lefty reliever on the fringe of AAAA status. He was not selected to make the 40 man roster for the Yankees this season so it’s probable that someone will take a shot with him in the rule 5 draft again. The Yankees kind of have a lot of lefty relief options and so Kroenke will probably have to get his shot in the majors elsewhere. Apparently he’s added a forkball to his fastball/slider repertoire which has helped him improve. He averaged 90.6 MPH on his fastball in the AFL and maxed out at 93 MPH.

 

Michael Dunn-LHP

10.1 IP, 4.35 ERA, 20 K, 10 BB, 2 HR

Nothing out of the usual for Dunn here. The lack of command and ability to rack up K’s was just as evident as ever with the hard throwing lefty. He dialed it up 96.7 MPH and sat right around 94 in his 10 innings in the AFL. Dunn is really a project until you can nail him down on his command. He’s just not going to be able to throw strikes enough right now to be overly useful. He is only 24 however and his great stuff (slider from 84-87) is going to earn him some chances in 2010. I don’t think he breaks camp with the Yankees but if he even shows an inkling of command, he’ll be up shortly there after.

 

Grant Duff- RHP

9.1IP, 2.89 ERA, 4 K, 5 BB, 0 HR

Duff is a guy we told you to keep an eye out for a few weeks ago and his performance in the AFL was OK, not great. We told you the dish on him- Duff is a recently converted reliever with a shiny and impressive new splitter that helped him have a standout 2009 season. He toiled as a starter for a bit too long as he is already 27 years old but you can think of him on the Phil Coke timetable if you wish (its looking a littler actually…) Duff topped out at 96.4 MPH and sat around 94, similar to Dunn’s velocity. Duff didn’t get a lot of Ks and actually did struggle with command but the slurvy slider he’s working on fits nicely with his plus splitter and makes an attractive pairing. Duff was a candidate for the 40 man roster however he was left off for some younger talent. I would assume someone would try him out and see if they have a spot for him, I’m feeling Pirates/Astros/Padres-ish, something in there. If not, hopefully he can stay healthy and build on his 09 success.

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