Jemile Weeks in his playing days with Miami

Oakland A’s infielder Jemile Weeks, the former Miami Hurricanes standout and younger brother of the Brewers Rickie Weeks, was named the Arizona Fall League’s hitter of the week for Week 3. During the week, Weeks went 8-for-15 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs scored. He was also riding a seven-game hitting streak heading into Week 4. Weeks also spent a few days working with Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Donnie Veal, the former Cubs prospect and Rule V pick in 2008, earned the AFL pitcher of the week honor. During the week, Veal did not allow a run in 2 starts (7.2 innings), while allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts. He leads the AFL in starters ERA (0.71).

Continuing into the 4th week, the Peoria Javelinas have won five straight (8-3 in their last eleven) to improve to 13-6 and gain the best overall record in the league. The Javelinas have been carried by the combination of Andrew Lambo (Dodgers), Jordan Danks (White Sox), Casper Wells (Tigers), and Russ Mitchell (Dodgers), who were all in the top ten in hitting in the AFL. Lambo is riding an 11-game hitting streak,

Jordan Danks in the AFL

where he is hitting .449 with 11 RBIs. Danks, the younger brother of the White Sox young starter John Danks, is tied for the league lead in on-base percentage (.500). “He’s close, he’s very close to being ready,” White Sox hitting instructor Gary Ward said. “He’s definitely going to be playing in the major leagues soon.” Wells had a 32-game on-base streak into Week 4 that began on 10/9/08. He also had an 18-game hitting streak end on 10/23, where he hit .405 with 30 RBIs and 20 runs scored. Mitchell is tied for the league lead in doubles with seven. Brent Morel of the White Sox replaced infielder Dayan Viciedo, who was shutdown due to shoulder inflammation.

Mesa Solar Sox outfielder Rene Tosoni (Twins) is riding an 8 eight-game hitting streak. With runners in scoring position, Solar Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish (Red Sox) is hitting .500 (6-for-12) with 8 RBIs. Against Solar Sox pitcher Randor Bierd (Red Sox), hitters leading off an inning are 0-for-10 with a walk. Phoenix Desert Dogs outfielder Grant Desme’s (A’s) 11-game hitting streak ended on 10/28, where he hit .511 with 10 homeruns and 22 RBIs. Desme is only four homeruns shy of the AFL record of 14 held by the Angels Brandon Wood, who set the record in 2005. Desme leads the league in homeruns and RBIs and is in the top ten in batting average. He is the best candidate to capture the Triple Crown.

The Peoria Saguaros pitching staff had a 23.1 scoreless innings streak from 10/27-10/29, with back-to-back shutouts on 10/28 and 10/29. The pitching staff has been led by Wilton Lopez (Astros), who has the lowest BB/9 IP ration (0.00) and is averaging just 2.25 base runners per nine innings. Lopez also has the lowest batting average against (.083). Saguaros catcher Matt McBride (Indians) is tied for the league lead in on-base percentage (.500) and has thrown out 3-of-7 base stealers. McBride is also batting .500 (3-for-6) with 4 RBIs with runners in scoring position and two outs.

Taylor Teagarden with the Rangers

The Surprise Rafters added big league catcher Taylor Teagarden to their roster this week. Teagarden of the Texas Rangers joined the AFL to get as many at-bats as possible and to work on his swing. He’s hoping to just be able to relax because he is the elder statesman and there is no pressure on him. The Nationals number one pick (and number one overall) Stephen Strasburg of the Phoenix Desert Dogs was pushed back a day in his last start so that he would be able to start the Rising Stars Game, which will be televised on the MLB Network on Saturday 11/7. In that start, Strasburg had his best start as a professional, going five innings and allowing just one run on 4 hits, while striking out six.