Mitchell Looking For Positives During a Tough Fall

Friday Nov. 5, 2010
Posted: 5:50 p.m.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUEPeoria Saguaros White Sox
When Jared Mitchell kicked off the AFL season with a three-hit effort against Scottsdale on Oct. 12, it appeared as if missing the entire 2010 season would have little impact on the player considered by many to be the White Sox top prospect.

But since that big opener, Mitchell has struggled, collecting only eight more hits in 56 at-bats for the Sags, who dropped a 13-5 decision to the host Javelinas on Friday. Hes batting .183 and he has more strikeouts 18 than hits 11. He picked up a hit on Friday, however, giving him hits in five of his last seven games. Though hes only 4-for-22 over that stretch, the fact that hes been able to string a few games together in which hes reached base is a positive that he can take into the final two weeks of the AFL season.

Also on the plus side is .286 hes hitting from the leadoff spot. Hes 4-for-14 at the top of the order and has performed better there than at the bottom of the lineup.Jason Bour went 0-for-1 with a walk and a strikeout.Charlie Leesman allowed two runs on three hits in an inning. Hes allowed 11 runs over his last five appearances, a 4 13-inning stretch.

Kevin Czerwinski can be reached at ktczerwinski@gmail.com.