It was a slightly abbreviated schedule of regular season games in the AFL this past week as the best and brightest took center stage in the Rising Stars Showcase Saturday night. That game turned out to be the last action for Houston’s Jason Castro this fall, he is being shut down to avoid fatigue. This could indicate plans for major league action in 2010. Carlos Triunfel (SEA) debuted on October 29, his first game action since breaking his leg in April. Onto the notes …

Hitting Highlights

Starlin Castro (CHC – SS) played in four games and had two hits in each. He is the league’s leading hitter at .424

Matt Dominguez (FLA – 3B) had a big 4 RBI day on November 6, but is struggling overall with a .174 average

Lucas May (LAD – C) had five hits and a home run in two games played. He is 12-40 (.325) so far

Lorenzo Cain (MIL – OF) was 5-12 on the week and stole three bases on November 6. He has a 12/14 BB/K ratio in 54 at bats

Casper Wells (DET – OF) has a seven game hit streak going with six RBI in his last four

Chris Heisey (CIN – OF) hit two home runs this week and is tied with Wells for third in OPS

Matt McBride (CLE – C) is the current OPS leader at 1.253. He was 8-13 this week with six walks

Jose Vallejo (HOU – 2B) was 4-5 with a home run and four RBI on November 5. He has six steals overall

Nevin Ashley (TAM – C) has at least one hit in all 11 games played. He is batting .381 with a 1.036 OPS

Danny Espinosa (WSH – SS) was 8-17 with nine runs scored this week

Chris Marrero (WSH – 1B) benefited from Espinosa reaching base, he drove in eight runs. He is tied for fifth with 18 RBI.

Jemile Weeks (OAK – 2B) continues to swing the bat well. He is .366/.447/1.057 in his past ten games

Jose Tabata (PIT – OF) is hitting .400 in his past ten. He has a 10.9% strikeout rate in 82 AFL at bats

Wilin Rosario (COL – C) went 5-8 with five runs, three home runs, and four RBI in games on November 5 and 6. He won Player of the Week honors

Thomas Neal (SF – OF) stole two more bases, he leads the league with eight

Brandon Laird (NYY – 3B) was 7-13 with two home runs and six RBI. He is tied for second in home runs and tied for third in RBI

Marcus Lemon (TEX – OF) was 8-14, he is hitting .350 in 12 games

Taylor Teagarden (TEX – C) is playing an abbreviated schedule to get some work in. He has hits in five of his six games

Pitching Highlights

Stephen Strasburg (WSH) had his second consecutive strong start. He went five innings, giving up four hits, a walk, and a run. He struck out six and his other nine outs recorded were all on ground balls. Strasburg was named Pitcher of the Week

Aaron Crow (KC) is showing good command but is getting hit around. 42 of his 56 pitches were strikes, but he allowed six hits and four runs in 3.1 innings. He walked one and struck out two

Andrew Oliver (DET) went three innings for the first time and was unscored upon. He has 13 strikeouts in 12 innings

Andrew Cashner (CHC) has not allowed a run in his last two starts, eight innings total. The 6’6” righty has a 2.63 ERA and 1.02 WHIP

Donald Veal (PIT) threw four more innings without allowing an earned run. He struck out five without walking any and his 0.54 ERA is the lowest among league qualifiers

Robbie Weinhardt (DET) has 19 strikeouts in 12 innings of relief. He also leads the league with four holds

Richard Lentz (BOS), Chia-Jen Lo (HOU), and Matt Long (CHX) join Veal as the only pitchers with over 10 innings pitched and a WHIP under 1.00