M's prospects Lewis, Bishop deliver in AFL

October 23rd, 2017

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Kyle Lewis and Braden Bishop hope to soon become annual Spring Training regulars at the Peoria Sports Complex. The pair of Mariners prospects did their part in getting the home crowd used to their names, helping key the Peoria Javelinas to an Arizona Fall League victory on Monday afternoon.
Outfielder Lewis, the Mariners No. 1 prospect and No. 41 overall, doubled twice, singled and drove in a run in his Fall League debut. Bishop, the Mariners' No. 5 prospect, had three hits, including a big two-run double as Peoria beat the visiting Glendale Desert Dogs, 14-7.
"I think we kind of just feed off each other," Bishop said. "It's awesome to have [Lewis] back out there and see him get after it makes me want to get after it. Overall, I'm just happy he's healthy and out here again."
Box score
Peoria scored at least one run in each of the first six innings while its starter, Braves No. 9 prospect, sparkled in his five innings, striking out seven while giving up one run on two hits.
Lewis and Bishop were in the middle of it all. Lewis, who started the game at center field, led off for the Javelinas and doubled down the right-field line in the first inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Red Sox No. 2 (No. 92 overall) prospect Michael Chavis.
In the second inning, Bishop doubled in two runs against Glendale starter (Phillies No. 18), stole third base, and scored on a Garcia balk. Bishop then singled in the fourth, moved to second on an error and scored on Lewis' second double, a bolt of a line drive to center off J.T. Brubaker (Pittsburgh).
Bishop then singled in the eighth and moved to third on Lewis' single to right, and both scored on a double by (Padres No. 10 ).

For Lewis, who was selected 11th overall by Seattle in the 2016 Draft but was then sidelined for most of that entire season in Class A Everett because of knee surgery, it was a good way to begin play in such a competitive and well-respected league.
It was also a solid progression from his Minor League season, which began in June 2017 and saw him move from Rookie-level to Class A Modesto, where he hit six home runs in 149 at-bats.
"I think for me, [it's] just getting reps," Lewis said. "As I get reps, my game will polish out and everything will take care of itself. So that's my biggest thing -- just getting reps. And confidence and everything else will take care of itself.
"I'm just trying get my mind clear, get in a good position to hit and be ready to hit. I had some good results today, so hopefully I can continue to do that."
Other standouts for Peoria were Chavis and Braves catcher , Atlanta's No. 16 prospect, who both homered, with Jackson scoring three times and notching three hits. Naylor drove in four runs, and Ronald Acuna, the Braves' top prospect and No. 5 overall, scored twice and doubled in a run.
For Glendale, there were homers by Indians top prospect and No. 13 overall and by Bobby Bradley, a first baseman who ranks No. 3 on Cleveland's Top 30. Edgar Cabral (Phillies) and Danny Mendick (White Sox) had two hits apiece.