Rosters for the Arizona Fall League were released this week, and the 18th edition of the circuit, which starts on October 13, is shaping up to be as strong as usual. Here are some of the highlights for each team's roster.
Top Prospect: RHP Stephen Strasburg (Nationals). Strasburg will be of the most well-known players in fall league history when he takes the hill for the 5-time defending AFL champs. This year's top pick is probably just looking to get acclimated to pro ball in preparation for a major league call-up next year.
Pitchers: 10th overall pick Drew Storen, also a Nationals righthander, will close for Phoenix. Orioles RHP Brandon Erbe will continue to try to harness his electric stuff in the rotation. RHPs Heath Rollins and Matt Gorgen are sleepers for the Rays.
Position Players: The Desert Dogs will be putting up a lot of crooked numbers. They have Derek Norris (Nationals) and J.P. Arencibia (Blue Jays) sharing catching duties; Jemile Weeks (A's), David Cooper (Blue Jays), Brandon Snyder (Orioles), Josh Bell (Orioles), and Chris Marrero (Nationals) in the infield; and Corey Brown (A's) and Grant Desme (A's) in the outfield.
Top Prospect: OF/1B Dustin Ackley (Mariners). The 2nd overall pick this year will start his pro career in Arizona. He has amazing contact hitting ability, and hopefully we'll get a chance to see him play some outfield.
Pitchers: The Javelinas have a decent collection of arms. Their best are Phillippe Aumont (Mariners), Cody Satterwhite (Tigers), Joshua Fields (Mariners), Travis Schlichting (Dodgers), Robbie Weinhardt (Tigers), and Zach Braddock (Brewers).
Position Players: The Javelinas' outfield is highlighted by Jordan Danks (White Sox), Andrew Lambo (Dodgers), and Lorenzo Cain (Brewers). Infielders Scott Sizemore (Tigers), Cale Iorg (Tigers), Dayan Viciedo (White Sox), and Taylor Green (Brewers) are all solid prospects, as is catcher Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers). 1B/OF Ryan Strieby (Tigers) can mash. Mariners SS Carlos Triunfel will try to salvage his 2009 after a broken leg knocked him out of the regular season.
Top Prospect: 1B Ike Davis (Mets). Davis, a 2008 1st-round pick from Arizona State, has assuaged concerns over his rough pro debut by putting together a nice 2009 campaign.
Pitchers: The Surprise rotation will consist of RHPs Ian Kennedy (Yankees), Lance Lynn (Cardinals), Danny Gutierrez (Royals), and some other lesser-known players. Lightning-armed righty Adam Reifer (Cardinals) is their most logical choice for closer.
Position Players: 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) is the biggest name, but he has been disappointing. SS Jeff Bianchi (Royals) and 2B Daniel Descalso (Cardinals) have both had excellent years, and they'll make a solid double-play combination. The Rafters' outfield is headlined by Daryl Jones (Cardinals) and David Lough (Royals). Austin Romine (Yankees) and Bryan Anderson (Cardinals) make for a good catching duo. 1B/OF Mitch Moreland can hit, too.
Top Prospect: OF Jason Heyward (Braves). The top hitting prospect in the game will take some more hacks in the AFL. Though he's only 20, he's auditioning for a 2010 call-up.
Pitchers: 2009 1st-rounder Mike Minor (Braves), a lefthander from Vanderbilt, will front the rotation. Craig Kimbrel (Braves), Connor Graham (Indians), Zach Putnam (Indians), Steve Garrison (Padres), Chia-Jen Lo (Astros), Evan Scribner (Padres) are also worth keeping an eye on.
Position Players: Peoria will be exciting to watch, as they'll feature an explosive offense. Flanking Heyward in the outfield will be Chris Heisey (Reds), Nick Weglarz (Indians), Cedric Hunter (Padres), and Jon Gaston (Astros). Hot-shots Yonder Alonso (Reds) and Freddie Freeman (Braves) will share first base; and Lance Zawadzki (Padres), Zack Cozart (Reds), Brandon Hicks (Braves), and Carlos Rivero (Indians) will also be in the infield. Even though Astros #1 prospect Jason Castro won't need much help behind the dish, Mitch Canham (Padres) and Matt McBride (Indians) will be quality backups.
Top Prospect: C Buster Posey (Giants). Posey's an athletic backstop and an elite hitter who's reached Triple-A one year out of college. He could be in the majors soon.
Pitchers: Nobody jumps out in the Scottsdale staff, but they should find a couple competent arms out a group that includes Joe Martinez (Giants), Bryan Augenstein (Diamondbacks), Mike Cisco (Phillies), Steve Edlefsen (Giants), Michael Schwimer (Phillies), and Cesar Valdez (Diamondbacks). The rest of the bunch--particularly Daniel Moskos, Donnie Veal, Tony Watson, and Scott Mathieson--is synonymous with unfulfilled expectations.
Position Players: The Scorpions are going to score runs in bunches. Domonic Brown (Phillies) is an elite prospect, Jose Tabata (Pirates) can rake if he's focused, Thomas Neal (Giants) has put up a .332/.422/.582 line this year, Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks) is a big bopper, Collin Cowgill (Diamondbacks) is similar to Cody Ross and hits more like his 5-9 frame suggests, Wilin Rosario (Rockies) has major upside, Darin Holcomb (Rockies) is a professional hitter, and Steve Susdorf (Phillies) is a sleeper.
Top Prospect: OF Mike Stanton (Marlins). Stanton has unlimited raw power, as well as athleticism and aptitude. The AFL will be an outstanding barometer of his hit tool, as he'll be facing upper-level pitching every day. He'll be fun to watch regardless of how many whiffs he might rack up.
Pitchers: Pitching won't be Mesa's forte. The best of the lot after Cubs hurlers Andrew Cashner and Blake Parker is low-upside arms like Alex Burnett (Twins), Mike McCardell (Twins), John Gaub (Cubs), and Dustin Richardson (Red Sox).
Position Players: The Solar Sox will have a bevy of high-profile prospects dotting their lineup: Josh Vitters (Cubs), Matt Dominguez (Marlins), Ryan Kalish (Red Sox), Rene Tosoni (Twins), Peter Bourjos (Angels), Starlin Castro (Cubs), Hank Conger (Angels), Luis Exposito (Red Sox), and Chris Parmelee (Twins).
*Logos courtesy of www.milb.com
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