Wrapping up the AFL

The Scottsdale Scorpions, a team that featured nine Oriole farmhands at one point, captured the Arizona Fall League championship with a 3-2 victory over the Peoria Javelinas on Saturday afternoon in Scottsdale.

The Oriole minor leaguers didn't have much of an impact in the championship game as none of them were in the starting lineup, though Kam Mickolio did pitch a scoreless innings to finalize a very good AFL stint for the big right-hander who will have a lot to prove when pitchers report to Sarasota in about three months.

During the regular AFL season, Mickolio compiled a 0.75 ERA, allowing just one run on a solo homer. Perhaps the most impressive statistic was Mickolio, who has always struggled with his control, walked just two while striking out 18 in 12 innings.

Wynn Pelzer, the pitcher acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Miguel Tejada trade, had a 2.45 ERA, but walked an alarming 12 guys in 11 innings. Oliver Drake (Navy) started six games and went 1-3 with an 8.38 ERA, and reliever Pat Egan went 0-1 with a 2.13 ERA in 10 relief appearances.

As for the hitters, catcher Caleb Joseph, a taxi squad member of the club, batted .421 (16-for-38) with one homer and six RBI. Infielder Ryan Adams batted .265 (18-for-66) with one homer and 14 RBIs, and his 2010 teammate at Double-A Bowie, Greg Miclat, hit .308 (16-for-52) and drove in four runs.

Outfielder Xavier Avery hit .188 (13-for-69) with 5 RBI and six steals. First baseman Tyler Townsend, meanwhile, went 1-for-4 with two RBIs in his only game for the Scorpions as his AFL stint was halted when he needed surgery to remove a cyst from his hand.