Morning Rundown: Salt River hands Peoria first loss of the fall

Pirates prospect step up in win, players released from organization.

The Peoria Javelinas had yet to taste defeat during the 2023 Arizona Fall League, an amazing lineup that had put up 88 runs in seven games was a big reason why.

Four of the five Pirates pitchers participating played a part in handing Peoria their first loss this fall, combining to throw seven of the nine innings. They allowed just one run in that span.

The offense came to play as well, as overall they put up seven runs on the board, with AJ Vukovich scoring three of them himself.

A big reason Vukovich reached home so often was Jack Brannigan, who had got off to a slow start but now has hits in four straight games.

He picked up two hits - both doubles - driving in two runs and scoring twice as well. Jase Bowen didn’t pick up a hit, but did walk twice, keeping his OPS over 1.000. He is also the only one to play in every game in the AFL this year.

— Nick Dombkowski started, and pitched two innings, striking out four while walking three batters and allowing two hits.

— JC Flowers - who we haven’t seen since the second game of the season, pitched the next three innings, keep the walks in check this time by not issuing a free pass on the night. He picked up another four strikeouts as well.

— Following Dombkowski and Flowers, Cam Junker got three misses on seven swings with his slider, striking out two but allowing three hits and a run.

— Lastly, Tyler Samaniego pitched the eighth innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.

— In total, Pirates pitching combined to allow two runs on nine hits, and four walks while striking out 12 across seven innings pitched.

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Some roster moves at the end of the season that was originally overlooked back in September, but was brought to attention by Ethan Hullihen on Twitter.

These players were released, according to the transactions page;

Enmanuel De los Santos, RHP

He’ll turn 23 years old in a couple of days and hadn’t pitched above the Complex League. In 2023 he pitched in nine games, striking out 16 while walking eight in 10.2 innings pitched.

John O’Reilly, RHP

He’s posted a 5.03 ERA in 173 career minor league games. This past season for Indianapolis, O’Reilly posted a 5.74 ERA in 50 games played, two of which were starts.

Miguel Fulgencio, LHP

He had a fascinating story, starting as a running back at Oklahoma State before switching to baseball. Fulgencio was the Pirates 13th round pick in 2022. He posted a 6.75 ERA in 24 games with the Bradenton Marauders in 2023.