Kaprielian leads Yankees prospects, Scorpions in win
New York's No. 9 fires 4 1/3 scoreless as part of Fall League shutout
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A contingent of Yankees prospects led the way as Scottsdale cruised to a 4-0 win over Salt River on Wednesday night at Scottsdale Stadium.
A trio of Yankees pitchers, led by James Kaprielian's (Yankees' No. 9) 4 1/3 scoreless frames, combined for eight scoreless frames, while Gleyber Torres (Yankees' No. 2, No. 17 overall) and Miguel Andujar (Yankees' No. 7) combined to go 3-for-8 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Torres, who is leading the league with a .403 average and a six-game hitting streak, provided the bulk of the offense, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
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"I think they all did a really good job, not only tonight, but all year," Kaprielian said. "Gleyber, obviously our MVP, so congratulations to him, but really happy with where everyone's been. We're excited to work this offseason, take a quick break and get out there this spring, because we want to get to that next level."
Kaprielian, who missed the bulk of the season with a flexor tendon strain, put together one of his best AFL starts, firing 40 of his 64 pitches for strikes, with his fastball sitting in the mid-90s.
"Satisfied with where I'm at, that's the biggest thing, healthy right now," Kaprielian said. "Excited to get a little break and get back into it."
The 22-year-old went 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts with Class A Advanced Tampa during the regular season and finished his AFL stint with a gem in his final outing.
The right-hander retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced, including each of the first eight.
He lost his command a bit in the fourth, walking Isan Diaz (Brewers' No. 8, No. 96 overall) on four pitches to begin the frame and Brett Phillips (Brewers' No. 7, No. 62 overall) a couple batters later, but he escaped the inning with two strikeouts and a ground ball to third.
"Felt good," Kaprielian said. "A little bit of miscommunication there with [Austin] Bossart there behind the dish, but we cleaned it up and worked through it."
The right-hander bounced back in the fifth, striking out Jacob Nottingham (Brewers' No. 14) on three pitches before exiting the game.
When it was all said and done, Kaprielian struck out four, walked two and gave up one hit in 4 1/3 scoreless frames.
"It's good to always finish on a strong note and being able to go into the offseason on a positive outing," Kaprielian said. "It gives me something to look forward to in the spring."
The Scorpions then handed the ball off to two more Yankee farmhands, Nestor Cortes and J.P. Feyereisen, who combined to throw 3 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out eight and giving up just one hit. The Phillies' Vìctor Arano finished the shutout with a scoreless frame of his own.