Autumn Dreamin

Sosa hit 4 HR over the last week and is still slashing a ridiculous .433/.490/.822 through 22 games in winter ball (8 total HR plus 9 doubles and a triple). He's getting LVBP MVP chatter. He's away from the team now to get a wisdom tooth pulled and file visa paperwork ahead of ST. Wasn't immediately clear from what I saw when or whether he'll return for more winter ball reps, but I hope he carries this momentum into the season either way.

Elko starting for Team USA

Venable's replacement as Rangers manager-in-waiting?

Elko and Adler will be joining Team USA for the Premier12 tournament following their AFL time: https://www.usabaseball.com/news/usa-baseball-announces-roster-for-2024-premier12-presented-by-raxus?s=34 Old friend Touki Toussaint is also on the roster.

Elko and Montgomery both make BA's hot sheet: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/arizona-fall-league-hot-sheet-tigers-josue-briceno-continues-power-surge-in-week-2/

Alternatively... And (in my opinion) outside of when he was feeling the sting of a HBP, he's been moving fine? He's got 4 SB in 8 games, as a guy who had 8 total all last season.

Sosa does in fact appear to be carrying his late season progress forward. He's hitting .536/.581/.893 through the first week or so of winter ball (28AB).

Lots of rave reviews for Montgomery's swing and approach early in Fall League. He's got just 1K through 17AB (7 games). His 9 walks (and a few HBP) have led to a league leading .607 OBP. He's also stolen 4 bags, so it seems he's feeling pretty healthy. Elko isn't cutting down the K rate quite yet (13K to 1BB in 26AB...) but he did hit his 3rd HR (and a 2B) yesterday:

ICYMI

Colson came around to score on an Elko HR after this HBP yesterday but left the game the next inning. He's back in the lineup at DH today, so doesn't seem like anything major. Gladney starting in LF, days off for Elko and Turner.