The full-season clubs are enjoying a little time off and will resume play on Friday. Until then, there is plenty of scintillating action in the Arizona Complex League. We had initial draft coverage Sunday, and a full recap of the 22 picks the Padres made will run this morning.
ACL Dodgers 5, ACL Padres 2
Key Statistics: 2B Lucas Dunn, 1-for-4, R, BB, 2 SB (4,5); SS B.Y. Choi, 3-for-5, 2 2B; CF Kashon Conliffe, 1-for-4, R, SB (17); RHP Bryan Balzer, IP, BB; RHP Jesus Lopez (L, 0-3) 2.2 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 K; RHP Bernard Jose, 2 IP, 2 H, BB, K
B.Y. Choi continues to hit in the desert. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Prospect Watch: The ACL Padres faced stiff competition on Tuesday, matching up against top prospect River Ryan, who dropped in to the complex to stay on turn for his big league debut, and a rehabbing Brusdar Graterol. Lamar King had an RBI single against Ryan in the first inning, but then the 2021 Padres draftee settled in and struck out five over his four innings of work. King has pushed his OPS up to 1.035 for the month. … Rehabbing TinCaps infielder Lucas Dunn reached base twice in five plate appearances. He singled and drew a walk. He also added a couple of stolen bases, giving him five during his current rehab stint. Dunn has played in eight games for the ACL Padres, delivering a .855 OPS as he awaits the return to an affiliate later this week. … While there have been some questions about his ability to square up velocity, shortstop B.Y. Choi pulled doubles against both Ryan and Graterol and added a single in five plate appearances. The 22-year-old shortstop has been a solid contributor in his first extended action as a professional. Choi has 10 doubles and four homers in 155 plate appearances, and has made much more consistent contact over the last two months. With the draft in the rearview and the ACL season ending in just one more week, the Seoul native may be among those in line for a promotion to Lake Elsinore. … Kashon Conliffe singled and added his 17th stolen base of the year. The 19-year-old Bahamian spent two seasons in the DSL before coming stateside for the first time this year. He’s shown good speed, swiping 17 bases in 21 attempts. Overall, he is hitting .185/.327/.246 in his first stateside action. He’s flashed strong tools at all three defensive spots and picked up his fifth outfield assist of the year Tuesday. … Bryan Balzer pitched a scoreless first inning as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent shortly after he signed as an international free agent last January. The 19-year-old, who has US citizenship but grew up in Japan, offers an interesting look from the left side and will be a name to keep an eye on next spring. … Jesus Lopez took over for him and took the loss. Lopez allowed three runs (two earned) with a walk and four strikeouts across 2.2 innings. The 18-year-old righty has struck out 36 batters in 30 innings this year but he’s pitched to a 6.90 ERA in his first taste of domestic baseball.
