Diamondbacks: Keith Hessler Will Not Pitch in the AFL
By Thomas Lynch
Sep 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Keith Hessler (56) delivers against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
After today, fans of the Arizona Diamondbacks will still have some baseball to watch. Starting in ten days, the Arizona Fall League begins their season with some of the organization’s prospects getting reps with the Salt River Rafters. One player that will not be joining them who was originally on the Rafters’ roster is pitcher Keith Hessler. According to Nick Piecoro at azcentral, the lefty will be staying home because of too many innings and games.
Dbacks reliever Keith Hessler won't pitch in the fall league this year. Too many innings and games.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) October 3, 2015
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Hessler, taken in the 28th round of the 2010 Draft, made his Major League debut on August 8th. He appeared in a total of 18 games, pitching a total of 12 1/3 innings. He endured some unsightly outings in his initial month, giving up nine runs on 12 hits in eight games. and was demoted on August 23rd. Hessler was better in September and has now not allowed a hit over his last five appearances. Since September 4th, he has surrendered only one run on three hits over nine contests, a span covering seven innings.
The 26-year old Hessler is the Zack Godley of relievers, spending time with three different levels of Minor League ball in 2015. He was unscored upon in ten appearances for Class A Visalia before being promoted to Double A Mobile. While with the Bay Bears, he allowed only two earned runs in 25 1/3 innings of work. The next stop was Triple A Reno and in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, his numbers were not as impressive. In 19 innings, Hessler gave up 14 hits and eight walks, allowing 12 runs to score in two stints with the Aces.
All told, Hessler appeared in a total of 69 games across all levels of professional baseball in 2015, amassing 71 1/3 innings. I could see why the D-backs are keeping him home this Fall.