Arizona Fall League Roster Highlights

Yesterday, preliminary rosters for the 2016 Arizona Fall League were released. Below I’ve provided a brief rundown of the many of the more prominent or interesting names included in this year’s class. Between now and October 11th, when the league kicks off, rosters will inevitably change — just as they will throughout the course of the league itself. If I’ve written about a player below recently because they were traded or because I’ve seem them lately, I’ll have a link to that report tagged in the post.

East Valley Teams

Mesa Solar Sox (CHC, CLE, MIA, OAK, TOR)

Franklin Barreto and Ian Happ are the big names in an infield chock full of bat-first infielders. Yairo Munoz and Yu-Cheng Chang (report) fall into that category, as well. Mesa’s outfield has perhaps the most impressive collection of talent since Scottsdale’s Mike Trout/Bryce Harper/Gary Brown triumvirate from 2012. Cubs OF Eloy Jimenez has easy 70-raw-power projection. Indians CF and 2016 pop-up guy Greg Allen (report) gets a chance to prove that his breakout year is for real (I think it is), while Cleveland OF Bradley Zimmer and Toronto OF Anthony Alford, two high-upside talents with serious swing-and-miss issues, have a chance to receive instruction from a new set of coaches as they attempt to close holes in their offensive profiles.

Sleeper: Marlins RHP Jeff Brigham fell in the 2014 draft because of concerns about his size and health but has been up to 99 in the past and pitched well in the FSL this year. I also like Cubs C Victor Caratini’s bat.

Salt River Rafters (ARI, ATL, COL, DET, MIL)

There’s big power all throughout the Rafters’ roster. Brewers C Jacob Nottingham has rare power for a catcher, while Braves 2B Travis Demeritte (report) and Brewers 2B Isan Diaz have rare power for middle infielders — and DET OF Christin Stewart has rare power for a human being. Diamondbacks prospects Dawel Lugo and Kevin Cron, Rockies prospect Ryan McMahon, Brewers OF Brett Phillips and Dustin Peterson of the Braves all have 55 or better raw power. I advise Fall League patrons who attend games at Salt River Fields to be alert should they be seated on the outfield berm. All of this glosses over Braves SS Ozzie Albies, who is the best prospect on the team and the youngest player in the entire league at just 19.

Sleeper: Braves righty Evan Phillips, who has been into the upper 90s with an upper-80s slider.

Scottsdale Scorpions (LAA, NYM, NYY, PHI, SF)

Scottsdale’s pitching staff hasn’t been announced in full but their infield is strong, led by several interesting Yankees prospects. The newly acquired Gleyber Torres (report) is undoubtedly the headliner here, but scouts will also get a look at rehabbing 1B Greg Bird, the 2014 Fall League MVP, and check in on both his health and much maligned defense. Though I’m skeptical about his bat speed and power, 21-year old 3B Miguel Andujar got off to a hot start upon his promotion to Double-A Trenton and will have the opportunity to continue to face advanced pitching at a young age in Arizona. Also of note for Yankees, repeat Fall Leaguer Tyler Wade is listed as an outfielder on the initial roster, a sign that he’s inching closer to fulfilling his destiny as a utility man. Phillies 2B Scott Kingery may be the best defensive 2B in the AFL and is also a plus runner and future plus hitter. The industry will also get a look at Angels C Taylor Ward, who many thought was overdrafted in the 2015 first round, against the best pitching he has seen since signing.

Sleeper: I think Angels SS, and Loyola Marymount product, David Fletcher has a chance to be a big-league utility player.

West Valley Teams

Glendale Desert Dogs (CHW, HOW, LAD, STL, WAS)

Glendale’s pitching staff is headlined by Astros RHPs Francis Martes and David Paulino, the latter needing innings after a team-imposed suspension and injury limited his reps this year. Glendale has the league’s best collection of catchers in White Sox first-round pick Zack Collins, Cardinals defensive stud Carson Kelly and Astros water-bug sleeper Garrett Stubbs who, at 5-foot-10, 175, doesn’t look like a catcher as much as he does someone’s nephew but who has nevertheless performed at every level since a stellar senior year at USC. Glendale’s contingent of Dodgers prospects includes 1B Cody Bellinger, ?B Willie Calhoun and OF Alex Verdugo, who I think might have a Fall League breakout similar to the one Oscar Taveras had in 2011 when the industry saw his bat speed alongside other upper-echelon hitters and realized it was different.

Sleeper: Stubbs.

Peoria Javelinas (BAL, CIN, SD, SEA, TB)

Two of the best arms in the AFL are here, including likely top-30 overall prospect Brent Honeywell of Tampa Bay and Mariners 20-year old Brazilian lefty Luiz Gohara. Reports on Gohara during Extended ST were glowing and have continued to be throughout the season. Baltimore has sent some hard-throwing arms, including LHP Tanner Scott, who was up to 101 during last year’s Fall League, as well as a nice scouting find in St. Joe’s product Jimmy Yacabonis, who throws in the mid- to upper-90s. Yacabonis’ grandfather played pro ball in Cuba. Peoria’s outfield is headlined by Mariners OF Tyler O’Neill, Padres OF Franchy Cordero and Michael Gettys, as well as Orioles 2015 first rounder D.J. Stewart.

Sleeper: Oft-injured Rays C Justin O’Conner, a plus defender with a plus-plus arm who only played 16 games this year due to injury and has been off the prospects radar since 2014 because he hasn’t hit.

Surprise Saguaros (BOS, KC, MIN, PIT, TEX)

Big velo on the pitching staff led by Red Sox RHP Michael Kopech and Royals RHP Josh Staumont, both of whom have comfortably eclipsed the century mark in the past but neither may have enough command to start. You could argue Surprise has the two best prospects in the entire Fall League in Red Sox INF Yoan Moncada (early favorite for the No. 1 spot on my offseason top 100, which probably isn’t surprising) and Pirates OF Austin Meadows, who has perhaps the best hit/power combination in the minor leagues. If Moncada is on the Red Sox playoff roster, that could impact his status. Rangers Cuban import Andy Ibanez and Twins top prospect Nick Gordon round out an impressive group of infielders.

Sleeper: Twins C Mitch Garver has the requisite defensive chops to stay behind the plate, a patient approach, and saw an uptick in his power output this season. He’s been hitting since his promotion to Triple-A.