Eldred flexing muscle in AFL

10/28/2005
PITTSBURGH -- Every year, observers of the Arizona Fall League come across some guy on some team's roster and ask: "Does that guy really need to be here?"
This fall, Brad Eldred is "that guy" for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Eldred's power numbers are on the rise while he's also managing to cut down on the prolific strikeout numbers he displayed during the regular season.
Here's how Eldred and the rest of the Pirates prospects fared with the Peoria Saguaros over the last seven days:
RF Adam Boeve -- Boeve saw limited action this week but made the most of what he had to work with. He collected hits in three of the four games he appeared in, including a 2-for-3 night in the second game of a doubleheader against the Mesa Solar Sox on Oct. 25.
LHP Michael Connolly -- The southpaw from upstate New York had mixed results in his two appearances this week. He allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings against the Javelinas on Oct. 21, but followed that up with a scoreless eighth inning on Oct. 24 against Mesa.
1B Brad Eldred -- Eldred homered in his last two games, including a two-dinger, four-RBI night on Oct. 27 against the Desert Dogs. Meanwhile, he has avoided striking out in seven of 13 games this season.
RHP Matt Peterson -- Peterson didn't fare well in his only appearance last week, walking two and giving up three runs on five hits -- two were homers -- over four innings in his Oct. 26 start against Phoenix.
C Neil Walker -- Walker did well in his two starts over the week, going 3-for-7 with a homer and two RBIs. The Pirates' top catching prospect also displayed some wheels, scoring as a pinch-runner on Oct. 22 against the Surprise Scorpions.
LHP Shane Youman -- The 26-year-old left-hander had a difficult outing on Oct. 21, giving up five runs in three innings. He bounced back with a solid performance on Oct. 27, holding the Phoenix Desert Dogs to one run over five innings, while fanning three on the way to his first win of the season.

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/