Higgins, Willis, and Dwyer Recipe for Success for AZL Cubs

P. J. Higgins (Cubs 2015 12th round draft pick - Old Dominion U.) drilled three singles, drove-in two runs, stole a base, and scored twice, leading the AZL Cubs to a 7-3 victory over the AZL Giants in Arizona League action Sunday night at Indian School Park Field #2 in Scottsdale, AZ.

Ben Carhart (on Myrtle Beach 7-day DL) made his first game appearance since May 31st, playing 1B for five innings and going 2-3 at the plate, He ripped a line-drive RBI single over the shortstop's head to drive-in the AZL Cubs first run in his first AB in the top of the 1st, and doubled off the centerfield fence and scored a run in the top of the 5th.

RHP Austyn Willis got the start for the AZL Cubs, working five innings and allowing one run on four hits (including a routine fly ball that was misplayed into a double by leftfielder Jose Paniagua). Willis did not rack up any strikeouts, but he did have one of the most efficient outings by an AZL starter I have seen in a long time, getting through five innings on just 52 pitches (only 10.4 pitches-per-inning) while throwing 40 strikes (that's 77% strikes, way above average). He worked quickly, effectively mixing his fastball, curve and change-up. He also showed-off a nice pick-off move, hanging a Giant baserunner out-to-dry at 1st base to end the bottom of the 3rd.

LHRP Heath Dwyer (2015 NDFA - Virginia Commonwealth U.) earned the save, retiring seven of the eight batters he faced (four on strikes). Dwyer threw 31 pitches (26 strikes) over his 2.1 IP, which is an amazing 84% strikes, including 18 swinging strikes, all on a slow curve that the young AZL Giants hitters could not touch, even though they knew it was coming. Dwyer has a mediocre mid-80's fastball that he shows every now & then, but he throws his plus-curve over and over and over again (about 80% of the time, even to right-handed hitters), and why not if you get the numbers of swings & misses he gets with Uncle Charlie. It might not play at the upper levels (time will tell), but in the AZL, Heath Dwyer is "Captain Hook."

Here is the abridged box score from Sunday night's game (AZL Cubs players only) : 

AZL CUBS LINEUP:
1. Robert Garcia, CF: 1-3 (1B, BB, K, 4-3, BB, R, CS)
2. Carlos Sepulveda, 2B: 2-5 (3-U, K, F-8, 1B, 1B, 2 RBI, SB)
3a. Ben Carhart, 1B: 2-3 (1B, 3-1, 2B, R, RBI)
3b. Angelo Amendolare, PH-LF: 0-2 (P-3, 1-2 FC) 
4. Jose Paniagua, LF-1B: 1-4 (K, 2B, BB, 1-3, F-8, R, CS) 
5. P. J. Higgins, 3B: 3-5 (P-4, 1B, 1B, 1B, 4-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB)
6. Michael Foster, RF: 0-4 (4-3, BB, K, 4-3, 1-3)
7. Varonex Cuevas, DH: 0-3 (3-1, BB, BB, K+WP, K)
8. Yohan Matos, C: 0-3 (5-3, HBP, 4-6 FC, K, R, RBI)
9. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 0-3 (K, K, HBP, 1-3, R)

AZL CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Austyn Willis: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 PO, 6/7 GO/FO, 52 pitches (40 strikes) 
2. M. T. Minacci: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 3/2 GO/FO, 35 pitches (22 strikes) 
3. Heath Dwyer: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 1/2 GO/FO, 31 pitches (26 strikes)

AZL CUBS ERRORS: 1
C Yohan Matos: E-2  (overthrow at 1st base on bunt single allowed batter to advance to 2nd base)

AZL CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Yohan Matos: 1 PB, 1 E (see above)

AZL CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS:
CF Robert Garcia - threw out baserunner 8-5 attempting to advance from 2nd to 3rd on F-8 fly out