Arizona Fall League: One of Baseball's Best-Kept Secrets

Though it doesn't captivate the mainstream audience, it's tough for any fan who follows prospects to ignore the Arizona Fall League. It's an under-the-radar, easily accessible venue for prospects, and it's chock-full of the best in the minors each year. Baseball America's latest Scout's Diary puts it perfectly; I encourage you to read it. A quick summation: "Why do fans flock to spring training games, paying top dollar for tickets, hotel rooms and flights, when they can visit the same warm city and the same ballparks in the fall for much less money and hassle and see many of the same great, young players?" I wonder the same thing.

ESPN's Keith Law shares a similar sentiment: "You'll be one of maybe 100 fans at a day game, and maybe 300-400 at a typical night game. In any one game you'll see at least a half-dozen guys who project as above-average major leaguers or more. Getting around is easy. Unlike spring training you can duck out of an AFL stadium after BP, grab a bite to eat, and be back for first pitch".

I persuaded my sister to check out a game, what with me being 1,400 miles away from the action, and she did not disappoint. Here are dozens of great shots from the October 17th Peoria-Mesa matchup. Braves OF Jason Heyward and Marlins OF Mike Stanton were the top two attractions, but there were many other excellent prospects on the rosters. Unfortunately, Cubs SS Starlin Castro, Red Sox SS Jose Iglesias, Reds RHP Mike Leake, Braves LHP Mike Minor, and others did not appear in this game.

Mesa's home stadium is HoHoKam Park, the spring training site of the Cubs

Heyward is the top prospect in baseball for me

The 20-year-old is polishing his game in Arizona

He'll be in Atlanta next year

Heyward drew a walk and stole a base this game

I don't think it's possible to go overboard on pictures when a future superstar is inches away

Mike Stanton and his 80 raw power get loose on deck

Cubs 3B Josh Vitters and Twins OF Rene Tosoni are behind Stanton

A fearsome sight for minor league hurlers: Mike Stanton strolling to the plate

Stanton takes a vicious hack

Stanton launched a homer this game that left the entire stadium--reportedly over 430 feet

Boston's Casey Kelly, better known for his pitching exploits, is playing shortstop in the AFL

Kelly is a pretty good infield prospect, but he will realize his future is on the mound soon

Yonder Alonso, the #1 prospect for the Reds

Craig Kimbrel, an electric Braves righty who finished second in MiLB K/9 this season

Canadian slugger Nick Weglarz, of the Indians

Marlins OF Bryan Petersen (#2) is putting his name on the map in the AFL

Padres C Mitch Canham, the O-State Balla himself

The scouts' section

Only a smattering of fans are seeing tomorrow's stars

Blue Jays 1B David Cooper and Padres OF Cedric Hunter, both of whom saw their stock drop in 2009

Indians infielder Carlos Rivero

And lastly, it's a little off-topic, but it's never too early to start getting ready for the next college baseball season. BA's list of top recruiting classes was released a few days ago, with Florida, Stanford, and Arizona State grabbing the top three spots. Check out the full list here.