SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Brent Honeywell showed why he was named the Rays' Minor League Pitcher of the Year, striking out five of MLB's Top 100 prospects in two perfect frames to open Saturday's Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game.
The Rays' No. 2 prospect got the start for the West team and promptly struck out the side in the first inning, setting the tone in the West's eventual 12-4 win at Surprise Stadium. He fanned Oakland's Franklin Barreto (No. 42 on the Top 100), Cubs prospect Eloy Jimenez (No. 23) and Yankees shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres (No. 17) in order.
"It was awesome," Honeywell said. "It was the first All-Star game I ever started, the first TV game, so I was pretty excited."
:: 2016 Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game ::
Honeywell, the No. 39 overall prospect, was just as dominant in the second, adding two more strikeouts to his total. He got Indians top prospect Bradley Zimmer (No. 25) and Toronto's Anthony Alford (No. 86) looking.
The right-hander threw 31 pitches, 21 strikes, and struck out five -- three via mid-90s fastballs and two with his screwball -- in two perfect innings
After posting a 2.34 ERA in 20 starts between Class A Advanced Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery this season, Honeywell got hit around in his first two AFL starts, allowing eight earned run in 4 1/3 innings.
"I just had to make better pitches," Honeywell said. "I need better fastball location because everything plays off my fastball command. That's the key. I didn't have very much feel for my offspeed pitches either, and I just had to work hard to get it back."
However, he's found his rhythm lately and tossed seven scoreless innings over his last two starts prior to pitching in the Fall Stars Game.