With the Playoffs in full bloom and the regular season now just a
distant memory, it's Arizona Fall League time. The premiere fall league
for prospects, the AFL’s rosters are once again loaded with potential
big leaguers. Listed below are players who are already on the prospect
map or who are well on their way to becoming legitimate prospects. We
will keep you up to date on the comings and goings of the league from
start to finish.
Mesa Solar Sox
JR Towles - Catcher - Houston
Probably is best known by many as the guy who had 8 RBI in a game in
September for the Astros. Can Towles improve on 2007 and make himself a
bigger part of the Astro’s plans?
Jed Lowrie - SS - Boston
The Stanford product slugged over .500 across two levels in 2007 while
knocking 13 balls out of the park. Lowrie also walked more than he
struck out in Double-A.
Matt LaPorta - OF - Milwaukee
Arguably the most intriguing player in Arizona, LaPorta was the Brewers 1st round pick this year (7th overall) and has shown plus-plus power. He needs to find a permanent position on the diamond.
Phoenix Desert Dogs
Hayden Penn - Pitcher - Baltimore
Can Hayden Penn get back on track after an elbow injury sidelined him for most of 2007?
Anthony Swarzak - Pitcher - Minnesota
Another one of the Twins bright young arms, Swarzak pitched decently
after being promoted to Double-A in 2007. He missed a good chunk of the
season due to a non performance enhancing substance violation.
Andrew McCutchen - OF - Pittsburgh
Will the power that everyone seems to be waiting for show up in Arizona
for McCutchen, who is already one of baseball's most talked about
prospects.
Trevor Plouffe - IF - Minnesota
Former first rounder put up career highs in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS in 2007.
Steve Pearce - OF - Pittsburgh
Big bopper hit 31 homers across three levels in 2007 and ended up in
the big leagues. Old for this league but the Pirates probably want to
be sure what they have in him against advanced competition.
Peoria Javelinas
Jeff Clement - Catcher - Seattle
Former third overall pick out of USC showed signs of serious power in
2007, hitting 20 homers and slugging close to .500 in Triple-A. Should
be in the Mariners plans in 2008.
Matt Tuiasosopo - Inf - Seattle
Still loaded with raw tools, the big guy from the football family is trying to put it all together on the diamond.
Dexter Fowler - OF - Colorado
Toolsy outfielder didn't explode like many scouts and fans thought he
would in 2007 – a wrist injury that cost him most of the season didn’t
help. Still plenty of time to turn the promise into performance.
Justin Maxwell - OF - Washington
The Washington Nationals soon to be 24 year old mashed 27 home runs and
stole 35 bases primarily in the low levels of the minor leagues in
2007, earning himself a cup of coffee in September with the big club.
Peoria Saguaros
Jair Jurrjens - P - Detroit
Jim Leyland spoke glowingly of Jurrjens when he was promoted to the big
leagues. Projects to be more of an innings eater than anything else,
but could surface as a decent middle-of-the-rotation starter.
Greg Miller - P - Los Angeles Dodgers
Former "can't miss" lefty has been missing for the past few years now.
Looking to tone down the walks after posting 10.45 BB/9 in 2007.
Josh Outman - P - Philadelphia
Best name for a pitcher anywhere, Outman had almost a strikeout per inning in 2007 but walked a lot of batters (1.96 K/BB).
Matt Antonelli - 2B - San Diego
Rumors are already swirling in San Diego that Antonelli could be
manning second for the Padres on Opening Day in 2008. Has 30-30
potential if everything breaks right.
Cameron Maybin - OF - Detroit
Struggled big time after Detroit rushed him to the majors, but there is
a TON to like here. Another player on Peoria with 30-30 potential.
Scottsdale Scorpions
Jonathan Sanchez - P - San Francisco
Has been jerked around from the rotation to the bullpen for the past
few years. Has electric stuff, just needs to find a role and be left
alone. Struck out 26.1% of the batters he faced in the bigs this year.
Max Scherzer - P - Arizona
Looked unhittable in High-A posting an absurd 30/2 K to BB ratio in
17.0 innings. Slowed down to 76/40 K to BB in 73 2/3 Double-A innings
but has filthy stuff. Must prove he can keep batters honest to stay in
the rotation.
Reid Brignac - IF - Tampa Bay
A big breakout candidate on most pre-season prospect lists, Brignac
fizzled more than sizzled in 2007. Still has a chance to be a special
shortstop at the dish.
Evan Longoria - IF - Tampa Bay
A big part of what looks to be a prospect loaded Scottsdale team,
Longoria has more than just a famous last name. How about a Southern
League MVP award in his trophy case in 2007? Longoria is our highest
ranked prospect in the AFL – 5th in our latest Top 50.
Travis Snider - OF - Toronto
Man child tore up the Midwest League this year with a 45% extra-base
hit rate. Has developed a huge following with scouts and statheads
a-like and should be a household name by this time next year, if he
isn't already.
Surprise Rafters
Taylor Teagarden - C/DH - Texas
Posted a ridiculous 1.054 OPS in 81 games in High-A this season; toned
it down a bit to a still impressive .886 in 29 games in Double-A. Old
for his levels but still has a bright future if he stays in Texas.
Chris Davis - IF - Texas
Davis absolutely MASHED in 2007, bopping 36 homers across two levels.
Finished second in all of the minor leagues to AAAA journeyman Craig
Brazell.
Trevor Crowe - OF - Cleveland
Once was looked at as the leadoff man of the future in Cleveland, Crowe
took a step back in 2007. With only a .341 OBP, there's some work to be
done for him again in the Arizona heat.
Chris Lubanski - OF - Kansas City
Kansas City has moved cautiously with Lubanski but with the likes of
Emil Brown ahead of him, his time should come sooner rather than later.
John Mayberry - OF - Texas
The good: 30
homers in 2007. The bad: .235/.307/.453 to go along with it. Some
people have been waiting for him to break out for the better part of
the last five years.
Chris Loupos can be reached at loopdog1@aol.com.